Intel Core i5-2310 vs Intel Core i7-2820QM Comparison

Both processors in this comparison come from Intel’s Sandy Bridge generation, but they target different market segments. The Intel Core i5-2310 is a desktop part, while the Intel Core i7-2820QM is a mobile processor. Benchmark results show a clear pattern: the Core i7-2820QM wins every head-to-head test, with deltas ranging from 15.6% to 16%. This consistent margin across single-core and multi-core workloads suggests the mobile chip holds a structural advantage, despite its lower base clock and lower TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data from the head-to-head comparison is unambiguous. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i7-2820QM scores 372 against the Core i5-2310’s 314, a delta of -15.6% from the perspective of the desktop part. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the mobile chip scores 1552 versus 1309, a 15.7% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same margin: 3697 for the Core i7-2820QM against 3118 for the Core i5-2310, again 15.7%.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the margin is slightly larger. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core i7-2820QM scores 219 while the Core i5-2310 manages 184, a delta of -16%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 522 versus 440, also -15.7%. Notably, the Core i5-2310 has no single-core Cinebench R15 result in the data, while the Core i7-2820QM posts a score of 52 in that test.

The consistency of these results is striking. Whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, the performance gap stays within a narrow band of 15.6% to 16%. This uniformity suggests the advantage comes from a fundamental architectural feature rather than a workload-specific optimization. The Core i7-2820QM’s hyper-threading (8 threads versus 4) explains part of the multi-core edge, but the single-core lead indicates the mobile chip also has a higher effective clock speed under load, despite its lower 2.30 GHz base clock versus the desktop’s 2.90 GHz.

The boost clocks are telling: the Core i7-2820QM boosts to 3.40 GHz, while the Core i5-2310 reaches only 3.20 GHz. This 0.20 GHz advantage in maximum turbo frequency, combined with the same 32 nm process and identical transistor count, gives the mobile part a consistent edge in both single- and multi-threaded scenarios. The average benchmark scores confirm the overall picture: the Core i5-2310 averages 1073 across all tests, while the Core i7-2820QM averages 1069, a negligible difference that reflects the different benchmark suites available for each.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i7-2820QM is the stronger processor in every measured category. It wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with no wins for the Core i5-2310. The mobile chip’s 8 threads versus 4 is the primary driver of its multi-core advantage, but its higher boost clock also delivers better single-core results. For workloads that utilize more than four threads, the Core i7-2820QM is clearly superior.

However, the Core i5-2310 is not without merit. Its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz means it will sustain performance better in thermally constrained scenarios where boost clocks cannot be maintained indefinitely. For desktop users with adequate cooling, the Core i5-2310 offers competitive single-threaded performance relative to its class, though it trails the Core i7-2820QM by roughly 16% in the tests shown. The desktop part also has a higher TDP of 95W versus 45W, which indicates it is designed for sustained operation in a desktop chassis rather than power-constrained mobile environments.

The choice between these two depends on the use case. If the workload is heavily threaded, the Core i7-2820QM is the clear pick. If the workload is lightly threaded and the system is a desktop with good cooling, the Core i5-2310’s higher base clock might be preferable for consistent performance, though it still loses in the single-core benchmarks shown. Data from the nearest rivals places both processors in similar performance tiers: the Core i5-2310’s closest rival is the Intel Core i3-4170T (0.1% delta) and the AMD Athlon X4 880K (0.1% delta), while the Core i7-2820QM’s nearest rival is the Intel Processor N95 (-0.1% delta) and the AMD Opteron 3380 (-0.2% delta). Both sit near the 29-30th percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Sandy Bridge architecture and are built on Intel’s 32 nm process node. The transistor count is identical at 1,160 million, and the die size is the same at 216 mm². The L1 and L2 caches are also identical: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2. The key architectural difference lies in the L3 cache. The Core i5-2310 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7-2820QM has 8 MB. This 2 MB additional cache likely contributes to the mobile chip’s performance advantage, particularly in workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i5-2310 pairs with Intel HD 2000, while the Core i7-2820QM uses Intel HD 3000. This is a generational tier difference within the same Sandy Bridge family, with the HD 3000 being the higher-end iGPU option. The PCIe support also differs: the Core i5-2310 supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7-2820QM has no PCIe data listed in the fact pack.

The memory support shows another distinction. The Core i5-2310 supports DDR3 memory, while the Core i7-2820QM’s memory support field is null in the data. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustment.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the market segment: the Core i5-2310 is a Desktop processor, while the Core i7-2820QM is Mobile. This is reflected in the TDP, where the desktop part draws 95W and the mobile part draws 45W. The socket types differ entirely: the Core i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Core i7-2820QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B).

Clock speeds also differ. The Core i5-2310 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Core i7-2820QM has a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz but a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The thread counts differ: 4 threads for the Core i5-2310 versus 8 threads for the Core i7-2820QM, despite both having 4 physical cores. The L3 cache size differs as noted: 6 MB versus 8 MB. The part numbers are different (SR02K for the desktop, SR012 for the mobile), and the release dates differ, with the Core i7-2820QM released on 2011-01-02 and the Core i5-2310 on 2011-05-21. The integrated graphics differ (HD 2000 versus HD 3000), and the PCIe support is present only for the Core i5-2310.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, which is 0.20 GHz higher than the Core i5-2310’s 3.20 GHz.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the Core i7-2820QM?

A: The Core i7-2820QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i5-2310 has 6 MB, a difference of 2 MB.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Core i5-2310 has a TDP of 95W, while the Core i7-2820QM has a TDP of 45W, making the mobile chip more power-efficient.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. However, the Core i7-2820QM supports 8 threads via hyper-threading, while the Core i5-2310 supports only 4 threads.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Core i7-2820QM scores 3697, which is 15.7% higher than the Core i5-2310’s 3118.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and use the same 32 nm process node with identical transistor counts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2820QM wins in all benchmark categories measured. Its 8 threads provide a significant advantage in multi-threaded workloads such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and compilation tasks. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3697 versus 3118 demonstrates this. The higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz also gives it the edge in single-threaded tasks, as shown by the R23 single-core score of 522 versus 440. For users who run heavily threaded applications or want the best possible performance in a mobile form factor, the Core i7-2820QM is the data-backed choice.

The Intel Core i5-2310 has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head data. However, its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz could be advantageous in scenarios where boost clocks are not sustainable, such as in poorly ventilated desktop cases or with inadequate cooling. The desktop socket (1155) also offers more upgrade and cooling options compared to the mobile socket (G2), which might be relevant for system builders. Its lower thread count (4 versus 8) is a disadvantage, but for basic desktop tasks that do not utilize more than four threads, the performance difference is smaller. The 95W TDP also indicates it is designed for a desktop power envelope, potentially offering more consistent sustained performance in a properly cooled desktop environment.