Intel Core i5-2405S vs Intel Core i7-2630QM Comparison

Intel Core i7-2630QM and Intel Core i5-2405S are both Sandy Bridge parts from the same era, but they target different platforms: one is a mobile chip, the other a desktop chip. The recorded data shows a classic split between multi-threaded throughput and single-core responsiveness. The i7-2630QM wins the majority of the head-to-head tests, taking 5 of 7 benchmarks, while the i5-2405S secures the remaining 2, including a decisive victory in single-core Geekbench. Both processors sit at the 27th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they appeal to similar overall performance tiers, but the way they get there differs substantially.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice based on workload and platform constraints. The Intel Core i7-2630QM is the pick for users running heavily threaded applications, especially on a laptop or mobile workstation. Its 4 cores and 8 threads give it a measurable edge in every Cinebench test in the database, with consistent deltas of roughly 4.5% over the i5-2405S in multi-core workloads. If your primary tasks are video rendering, 3D modeling, or any batch processing that scales with thread count, the i7-2630QM is the stronger option from the measurements.

The Intel Core i5-2405S, on the other hand, is the better choice for single-threaded performance and for desktop users who need a lower-power footprint relative to its performance class. It posts a 17.7% lead over the i7-2630QM in Geekbench single-core, which is a substantial gap. For everyday responsiveness, older games that rely on one or two cores, or lightly threaded productivity apps, the i5-2405S is the superior part. Its higher base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.30 GHz, compared to 2.00 GHz and 2.90 GHz for the mobile chip, directly explain that advantage.

The average benchmark scores are close: 1005 for the i7-2630QM versus 991 for the i5-2405S, a difference of about 1.4%. Neither processor dominates the other overall. The i7-2630QM is the safer bet for future-proofing in threaded workloads, while the i5-2405S offers snappier single-core behavior at the cost of losing Hyper-Threading. The i5-2405S also carries a 65 W TDP versus 45 W for the i7-2630QM, so if power efficiency is a priority, the mobile chip is better despite being slower in single-core tests.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results split cleanly along threading and clock speed lines. The i7-2630QM wins every Cinebench test: R15 multi-core (304 vs 291), R20 multi-core (1268 vs 1213), R20 single-core (178 vs 171), R23 multi-core (3020 vs 2890), and R23 single-core (426 vs 408). The margins in Cinebench single-core are smaller, between 4.1% and 4.4%, but they are consistent. This suggests that even in single-threaded Cinebench workloads, the i7-2630QM's architecture holds up, likely due to its 8 threads allowing better scheduling or higher sustained boost behavior in the mobile platform.

The i5-2405S wins decisively in Geekbench, both single-core (541 vs 445, a 17.7% delta) and multi-core (1425 vs 1393, a 2.2% delta). The single-core Geekbench result is the headline win for the i5-2405S. That 96-point gap shows a real advantage in raw clocks and per-core efficiency. The multi-core Geekbench win is smaller, but it flips the trend from Cinebench, indicating that Geekbench's multi-core test is more sensitive to single-core speed than the Cinebench suite. For users who rely on Geekbench as a proxy for general system responsiveness, the i5-2405S is the better performer.

In practical terms, the i7-2630QM wins in rendering, encoding, and any workload that uses more than 4 threads. The i5-2405S wins in older software, web browsing with heavy JavaScript, and applications that are latency-bound rather than throughput-bound. The data shows no scenario where the i5-2405S wins a Cinebench test, so if your workflow is Cinebench-like, the i7-2630QM is the clear choice.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Sandy Bridge architecture at the same 32 nm process node, with identical transistor counts of 1,160 million and the same die size of 216 mm². They share the same cache layout: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Both have an integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics unit and support dual-channel memory. The core difference lies in threading and platform.

The i7-2630QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, meaning Hyper-Threading is enabled. The i5-2405S has 4 cores and 4 threads, so it lacks Hyper-Threading entirely. This is the biggest architectural split, and it explains the Cinebench results. The i7-2630QM's TDP is 45 W, typical for a mobile part, while the i5-2405S draws 65 W, reflecting its desktop role. The i7-2630QM uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i5-2405S uses the Intel Socket 1155.

The i5-2405S also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the CPU, which the database does not list for the i7-2630QM. The i7-2630QM has no listed memory support field, while the i5-2405S explicitly supports DDR3. Both are end-of-life products and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-2630QM was released earlier, with a January 2011 date, while the i5-2405S came later in May 2011. The part numbers differ (SR02Y for the i7, SR0BB for the i5), but the underlying silicon is essentially the same design tuned for different sockets and power envelopes.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2630QM wins all multi-core Cinebench tests, with leads of 4.5% in R15, R20, and R23. Its multi-core scores are 304, 1268, and 3020 respectively, versus 291, 1213, and 2890 for the i5-2405S.

Q: Which CPU has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-2405S has a 17.7% lead in Geekbench single-core (541 vs 445). However, the i7-2630QM edges it out in Cinebench single-core tests, with a 4.1% lead in R20 (178 vs 171) and a 4.4% lead in R23 (426 vs 408).

Q: Does the i5-2405S support more threads?

A: No, the i5-2405S has 4 threads total. The i7-2630QM has 8 threads, which is why it performs better in threaded Cinebench workloads.

Q: Are they the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process, with 1,160 million transistors and a 216 mm² die size. They share identical cache sizes: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: Which processor is more power efficient?

A: The i7-2630QM has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-2405S has a 65 W TDP. The mobile chip draws less power, making it a better fit for laptops.

Q: What sockets do they use?

A: The i7-2630QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), and the i5-2405S uses Intel Socket 1155. They are not interchangeable.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i7-2630QM comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 3020 against 2890 for the i5-2405S, a 4.5% margin. That same 4.5% delta repeats in Cinebench R15 multi-core (304 vs 291) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (1268 vs 1213). These are consistent, predictable leads that track directly with the thread count advantage. The i7-2630QM also wins single-core Cinebench R20 (178 vs 171, 4.1%) and R23 (426 vs 408, 4.4%), which is notable because the i5-2405S has higher clock speeds. The i7-2630QM's single-core Cinebench wins are smaller than its multi-core wins, but they are still present.

The i5-2405S strikes back in Geekbench. Its single-core score of 541 crushes the i7-2630QM's 445, a 17.7% gap that is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set. This is a massive difference, far beyond any other benchmark margin. The multi-core Geekbench result also goes to the i5-2405S, with 1425 versus 1393, a 2.2% lead. This multi-core win is surprising given the i7-2630QM's extra threads, but it shows that Geekbench's multi-core test weighs per-core speed heavily. The i5-2405S's higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz, versus 2.90 GHz for the i7, likely carries the day here.

Overall, the head-to-head record is 5 wins for the i7-2630QM and 2 wins for the i5-2405S. The Cinebench suite favors the threaded mobile chip, while Geekbench favors the desktop chip with higher clocks. If you average all scores, the i7-2630QM lands at 1005 and the i5-2405S at 991, a slim 1.4% edge for the i7. The nearest rivals for the i7-2630QM include the Intel Core i7-5600U at 1005 (0% delta) and the AMD FX-9830P at 1006 (-0.1%). The i5-2405S sits near the Intel Core i7-960 at 993 (-0.2%) and the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T at 993 (-0.2%), showing both CPUs are firmly in the same performance tier.

Specification Differences

The two processors share many specifications, but the differences are critical. The i7-2630QM has 8 threads, while the i5-2405S has 4 threads. The base clock is 2000 MHz for the i7 and 2500 MHz for the i5. The boost clock is 2900 MHz for the i7 and 3300 MHz for the i5. TDP is 45 W for the i7 and 65 W for the i5. The sockets differ: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7, Intel Socket 1155 for the i5. The market segments differ: Mobile for the i7, Desktop for the i5. The i5-2405S lists DDR3 memory support and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i7-2630QM has no listed memory support or PCIe field. Both have identical core counts, cache sizes, integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), process node (32 nm), transistor count (1,160 million), die size (216 mm²), and ECC support (false). Release dates differ slightly: January 2011 for the i7, May 2011 for the i5.