CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-2670QM vs Core i7-2860QM (BGA)
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.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Fine for basic office work but struggles with heavy web apps.
High clocks make it feel snappy in basic tasks.
Gaming
Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Good for older games, but HD 3000 is too weak for modern ones.
Virtualization
Can run light VMs but limited by modern standards.
Decent for basic VMs thanks to VT-x and 8MB cache.
Efficiency
45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life.
45W TDP in a thin chassis often leads to heat issues.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for AI workloads
- No AI hardware
- Lacks modern instruction sets
Content Creation
Gaming
- Good for 2011-2014 games
- Lacks AVX2 for modern titles
- HD 3000 is obsolete
- Strong single-core for its time
- Needs discrete GPU for 3D
- HD 3000 is obsolete
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- High clock speeds
- 8MB L3 cache
- Good for retro computing
- Compact BGA design
Cons
- Soldered and non-upgradable
- 45W TDP can overheat
- Obsolete graphics
- No Windows 11 support
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-2670QM
- AMD A8-3550MXRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2630QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2760QMRival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N950Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-2450MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3610QMAlt
Ivy Bridge successor with better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250UAlt
Modern budget mobile alternative.
- Intel Core i5-2430MAlt
Dual-core alternative for lighter laptops.
- Intel Pentium Silver N5000Alt
Modern low-power alternative.
Core i7-2860QM (BGA)
- AMD A8-3550MXRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2820QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2760QMRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2920XMRival
Mobile
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2960XMAlt
Extreme Edition with higher clocks.
Ivy Bridge successor with better efficiency.
Compare head-to-headHigher clocked Ivy Bridge alternative.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewExcellent performance for 2011, but the soldered design limits upgradability and the age shows in modern tasks.
Best for: Repairing a legacy thin laptop
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-2670QM or Core i7-2860QM (BGA)?
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.
Do Intel Core i7-2670QM and Core i7-2860QM (BGA) use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-2670QM: Socket G2 (988B), Core i7-2860QM (BGA): Intel BGA 1224), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-2860QM (BGA) posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-2670QM (3,900), Core i7-2860QM (BGA) (5,700). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.