Intel Core i5-2380P vs Intel Core i7-2760QM Comparison

# Intel Core i5-2380P vs Intel Core i7-2760QM

The benchmark data reveals a clear hierarchy between these two Sandy Bridge processors, with the mobile Core i7-2760QM winning all five head-to-head comparisons against the desktop Core i5-2380P. The i7-2760QM leads by margins between 14.8% and 15.0% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single-core and multi-core. Despite the i5-2380P having a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz compared to the i7-2760QM's 2.40 GHz, the i7's Hyper-Threading and higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz (versus 3.40 GHz) prove decisive in every measured workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant gap appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i7-2760QM scores 366 against the i5-2380P's 311, a 15% deficit. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore, with the i7-2760QM posting 1525 versus 1297 for the i5-2380P, again a 15% difference. These multicore results are consistent because both processors share the same 4-core, 32nm Sandy Bridge architecture with identical cache configurations (64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3), so the i7's advantage stems directly from its 8 threads versus the i5's 4 threads.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though with slightly smaller margins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2760QM scores 215 against the i5-2380P's 183, a 14.9% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 512 for the i7 versus 436 for the i5, a 14.8% advantage. These single-core results are notable because the i5-2380P actually has a higher base clock (3.10 GHz) than the i7-2760QM (2.40 GHz), yet the i7 still wins by nearly 15%. The i7's higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz—just 0.10 GHz above the i5's 3.40 GHz—partially explains this, but the magnitude of the single-core gap suggests the i7's turbo behavior sustains higher frequencies under short bursts.

The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the i7-2760QM at 3631 versus the i5-2380P at 3090, a 14.9% difference. This aligns almost exactly with the R15 and R20 multicore deltas, indicating that the performance relationship between these two chips is remarkably stable across different Cinebench versions and workload intensities. The consistency of these deltas—hovering between 14.8% and 15.0% across all five tests—suggests the i7's 8-thread advantage translates to a nearly uniform performance premium regardless of the specific rendering workload.

Both processors sit at the 29th percentile among all CPUs in the database, and their average benchmark scores are close: 1063 for the i5-2380P and 1057 for the i7-2760QM. However, this aggregate similarity masks the head-to-head dominance. The i5-2380P's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4570TE (average score 1062, delta 0.1%), the Intel Xeon W3580 (1064, delta -0.1%), and the Intel Core i3-9100HL (1065, delta -0.2%). The i7-2760QM's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium G4600 (1056, delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 5 2500U (1058, delta -0.1%), and Intel Core i3-4350 (1058, delta -0.1%). These rivalries show both chips perform in a similar overall tier, yet the direct comparison demonstrates the i7's consistent edge.

The Verdict

The data unequivocally favors the Intel Core i7-2760QM for any workload that benefits from additional threads. With 8 threads versus 4, the i7 achieves 15% higher multicore scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, making it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, or any parallel processing task. The i7 also wins single-core tests by roughly 15%, meaning there is no scenario in the benchmark data where the i5-2380P takes the lead. Even the i5's higher base clock of 3.10 GHz cannot overcome the i7's 3.50 GHz boost clock and Hyper-Threading advantage.

The i5-2380P is a desktop processor with a 95W TDP and Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-2760QM is a mobile chip with a 45W TDP and Intel BGA 1224 socket. From a pure performance standpoint, the i7-2760QM wins every comparison, but the i5-2380P's desktop form factor means it can be paired with a discrete GPU and larger cooling solutions. The i7-2760QM includes integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, while the i5-2380P has no integrated graphics listed—a meaningful difference for systems without a dedicated GPU. For users building a desktop with a discrete graphics card, the i5-2380P could still serve adequately, but the benchmark data shows the i7-2760QM is the faster processor in every tested metric.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Sandy Bridge architecture on Intel's 32 nm process node, with the same 1,160 million transistors and 216 mm² die size. The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The fundamental architectural difference lies in threading: the i5-2380P has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-2760QM has 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. This doubles the i7's logical processing capacity, which directly explains its 15% multicore advantage.

The i7-2760QM features integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, whereas the i5-2380P has no integrated graphics listed. This makes the i7 a more self-contained mobile solution, capable of basic display output without a discrete GPU. The i5-2380P, by contrast, requires a separate graphics card, which aligns with its desktop market segment. The i7-2760QM also carries a production status of "End-of-life," while the i5-2380P's production status is not specified, suggesting the mobile chip may be older or discontinued.

The socket differences are substantial: the i5-2380P uses Intel Socket 1155 for desktop motherboards, while the i7-2760QM uses Intel BGA 1224, a ball-grid array soldered directly to the motherboard. This means the i7-2760QM is not upgradeable in the traditional sense, whereas the i5-2380P can be swapped on compatible motherboards. The i5-2380P supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-2760QM has no PCIe information listed, reflecting its mobile design where expansion is limited.

Specification Differences

The core specifications diverge primarily in clock speeds and power. The i5-2380P has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i7-2760QM has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The i7's boost clock is 0.10 GHz higher, which contributes to its single-core wins despite the lower base frequency. Thread counts differ: 4 threads for the i5 versus 8 for the i7. Thermal design power differs significantly: 95W for the i5-2380P versus 45W for the i7-2760QM, reflecting the desktop versus mobile design targets.

Memory support shows the i5-2380P explicitly supports DDR3, while the i7-2760QM's memory support is not listed, though both use dual-channel memory buses. ECC memory is not supported by either processor. The i5-2380P has a PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes, while the i7-2760QM has no PCIe data. The i7-2760QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), while the i5-2380P does not. Release dates differ: the i5-2380P launched on 2012-01-29, while the i7-2760QM launched on 2011-09-03, making the i7 roughly five months older. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed. Both have locked multipliers and part numbers SR0G2 (i5) and SR02R (i7).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-2760QM wins all five head-to-head tests, with no wins for the i5-2380P. The i7 leads by 14.8% to 15.0% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore tests.

Q: How does the i7-2760QM achieve higher multicore scores despite a lower base clock?

A: The i7-2760QM has 8 threads versus 4 for the i5-2380P, thanks to Hyper-Threading. Its boost clock of 3.50 GHz also exceeds the i5's 3.40 GHz, helping in single-core tests. The i5's higher base clock of 3.10 GHz cannot compensate for the i7's doubling of logical cores.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference between these two chips?

A: The i5-2380P has a TDP of 95W, while the i7-2760QM has a TDP of 45W. This reflects the i5's desktop design versus the i7's mobile design, despite the i7 being the faster processor in benchmarks.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: Both use dual-channel memory buses, and the i5-2380P explicitly supports DDR3. The i7-2760QM's memory support is not listed, but neither processor supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i7-2760QM includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, while the i5-2380P has no integrated graphics listed. This means the i5 requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores and percentiles for each processor?

A: The i5-2380P has an average benchmark score of 1063, and the i7-2760QM scores 1057. Both sit at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, indicating similar overall performance tiers despite the i7's head-to-head dominance.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2760QM wins in every benchmark category tested. For multicore workloads like Cinebench R15 (366 vs 311), R20 (1525 vs 1297), and R23 (3631 vs 3090), the i7's 8 threads provide a consistent 15% advantage. This makes it the superior choice for rendering, video encoding, 3D modeling, or any application that can utilize more than 4 threads. The i7 also wins single-core tests in R20 (215 vs 183) and R23 (512 vs 436), meaning even lightly threaded applications like web browsing, office work, or older games will see a performance benefit.

The i5-2380P's only advantages are contextual rather than performance-based. As a desktop processor with Intel Socket 1155, it can be paired with a wide range of motherboards and aftermarket coolers, and its 95W TDP allows for sustained performance in well-cooled desktop cases. The i5 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, enabling full-bandwidth discrete graphics. For users building a dedicated gaming or workstation desktop where the CPU is paired with a strong GPU, the i5-2380P could be a functional choice, especially if the i7-2760QM's BGA 1224 socket (soldered to motherboards) makes it inaccessible or impractical.

The i7-2760QM's integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics make it a self-contained solution for mobile systems or compact builds without a discrete GPU. This is a decisive feature for laptops or small-form-factor systems where adding a GPU is impossible. However, the i7's end-of-life production status suggests it may be harder to source new. For any user who must choose between these two specific processors based on benchmark data alone, the i7-2760QM is the faster chip in every measured dimension, with the i5-2380P only offering a desktop socket and PCIe expansion as countervailing factors.