CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-2670QM vs Intel Core i7-2675QM

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-2670QM is a performance mobile processor released in late 2011 as a slight refresh to the popular 2630QM. Built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering robust multitasking capabilities for laptops. Operating at a 2.2 GHz base clock with a 3.1 GHz turbo boost, it offered a modest 200 MHz speed increase over its predecessor. The 32nm chip integrated 1,160 million transistors and a 6MB L3 cache. Utilizing the Socket G2 (988B) interface, it allowed for upgradability in certain laptop models. With a 45W TDP, it was designed for performance-oriented laptops and workstations. It included Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics for everyday multimedia. While locked for overclocking, the i7-2670QM supported AVX and AES-NI, making it a highly capable and popular choice for users needing portable computational power.

Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-2670QM
4C / 8T3.1 GHz45 W
7.5
Full review
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-2675QM
4C / 8T3.1 GHz45 W
7
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile
Generation
2nd Generation
2nd Generation
Launched
2011
2011
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Sandy Bridge
Sandy Bridge
Series
Core i7
Core i7
Family
Sandy Bridge
Sandy Bridge
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-2630QM
Intel Core i7-2635QM
Successor
Intel Core i7-3610QM
Intel Core i7-3615QM

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
2.2 GHz
Boost Clock
3.1 GHz
3.1 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
6 MB
TDP
45 W
45 W
Architecture
Architecture
Sandy Bridge
Sandy Bridge
Process Node
32nm
32nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1333
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Socket G2 (988B)
BGA 1224
PCIe Version
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-2670QMBest35

Fine for basic office work but struggles with heavy web apps.

Intel Core i7-2675QM30

Adequate for basic tasks but slow for heavy workloads.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-2670QMBest25

Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.

Intel Core i7-2675QM20

Obsolete for modern gaming; only handles old titles.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-2670QMBest35

Can run light VMs but limited by modern standards.

Intel Core i7-2675QM30

Supports VT-x but limited by locked nature.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-2670QM25

45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life.

Intel Core i7-2675QM25

45W TDP is inefficient for modern mobile standards.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-2670QMNone
  • No AI hardware
  • Too slow for AI workloads
Intel Core i7-2675QMNone
  • No AI hardware
  • Extremely slow compute

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-2670QMPoor
Basic 720p video editingPhoto management
Intel Core i7-2675QMPoor
Basic document editingMedia playback

Gaming

Intel Core i7-2670QMFair
  • Good for 2011-2014 games
  • Lacks AVX2 for modern titles
  • HD 3000 is obsolete
Intel Core i7-2675QMPoor
  • No AVX2 support
  • HD 3000 graphics are obsolete
  • Low base clock

Industry Impact

Gaming
High
Moderate
Workstations
Moderate
High
Content Creation
Moderate
Moderate
Virtualization
Low
Low

Best CPU by Use Case

Legacy Laptop Use
Good
Good
Office Productivity
Fair
Fair
Retro Gaming
Good
Modern Gaming
Poor
Poor
Video Editing
Poor
Poor
Media Consumption
Very Good

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-2670QM

Pros

  • Good multi-threaded performance for 2011
  • Socketed design allows replacement
  • Reliable Sandy Bridge architecture
  • Higher clocks than 2630QM

Cons

  • 45W TDP limits battery life
  • Integrated graphics are obsolete
  • Lacks AVX2 support
  • End-of-life and unsupported
Intel Core i7-2675QM

Pros

  • Soldered design for durability
  • Good multi-threaded performance for 2011
  • Hardware AES-NI support
  • Reliable Sandy Bridge architecture

Cons

  • Cannot be upgraded (soldered)
  • 45W TDP requires active cooling
  • Obsolete integrated graphics
  • Lacks AVX2 support

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i7-2670QM

  • AMD A8-3550MX

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Compare head-to-head
  • Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Phenom II N950

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-2450M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-3610QM
    Alt

    Ivy Bridge successor with better efficiency.

  • AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
    Alt

    Modern budget mobile alternative.

  • Intel Core i5-2430M
    Alt

    Dual-core alternative for lighter laptops.

  • Intel Pentium Silver N5000
    Alt

    Modern low-power alternative.

Intel Core i7-2675QM

  • AMD A8-3550MX

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Compare head-to-head
  • Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Phenom II N950

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-2455M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-3615QM
    Alt

    Ivy Bridge successor with lower power.

  • AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
    Alt

    Modern budget mobile alternative.

  • Intel Core i3-3217U
    Alt

    Lower power Ivy Bridge alternative.

  • Intel Pentium 987
    Alt

    Low power alternative for basic tasks.

Our Verdict on Each

A solid mobile quad-core that provided a nice speed bump over the 2630QM, now obsolete.

Best for: The Core i7-2670QM is an obsolete processor that should not be sought out for new purchases. However, if you already own a laptop with this chip, it remains viable for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback. In some compatible laptops, users could upgrade from an i5 or i3 to this i7, but that is no longer cost-effective. If your laptop still functions, adding an SSD and maxing out the RAM can breathe new life into it for light use. For any new computing needs, modern laptops offer vastly superior performance, battery life, and features. The i7-2670QM is best left as a component in functioning legacy devices rather than a target for upgrades.

Read the full review

A reliable soldered mobile CPU that offered great performance for its time, now obsolete and non-upgradable.

Best for: The Core i7-2675QM is an obsolete, soldered mobile processor that cannot be upgraded. If you own a laptop with this chip, it is still functional for basic computing, media playback, and web browsing. Adding an SSD and upgrading the RAM can significantly improve the responsiveness of the system for legacy use. However, it is completely unsuitable for modern gaming or heavy productivity tasks. If the laptop fails, it is generally not worth repairing the motherboard due to the age of the platform. For new purchases, modern laptops offer exponentially better performance, battery life, and features. The i7-2675QM should only be maintained in working devices, not sought out for new builds or repairs.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-2670QM or Intel Core i7-2675QM?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-2670QM comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-2670QM or Intel Core i7-2675QM?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-2670QM leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Intel Core i7-2670QM and Intel Core i7-2675QM.

Do Intel Core i7-2670QM and Intel Core i7-2675QM use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-2670QM: Socket G2 (988B), Intel Core i7-2675QM: BGA 1224), so each needs a compatible motherboard.