Intel Core i7-2630QM vs Intel Core i7-5600U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-2630QM and Intel Core i7-5600U are two mobile processors from different eras, and their benchmark results tell a story of contrasting design philosophies. The 2630QM is a quad-core Sandy Bridge part from early 2011, while the 5600U is a dual-core Broadwell chip from 2015. Their average benchmark scores are identical at 1005, placing both in the 27th percentile of all CPUs, yet the way they achieve that average could not be more different. The data shows a clear split: the older quad-core dominates multi-threaded workloads, while the newer dual-core wins decisively in single-threaded and memory-sensitive tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding in the head-to-head data is the complete reversal of fortunes depending on the benchmark suite. In the Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-2630QM wins every round. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 304 versus the 5600U's 255, a 19.2% advantage. That pattern holds across newer Cinebench versions: R20 multicore shows 1268 against 1065 (19.1% ahead), and R23 multicore shows 3020 against 2537 (19% ahead). The 2630QM even wins single-core Cinebench tests, posting 178 in R20 single-core against the 5600U's 150, an 18.7% margin, and 426 in R23 single-core against 358, a 19% margin. This is counterintuitive given the 5600U's higher clock speeds, but the data is unambiguous: in Cinebench, the older chip wins everywhere.

The Geekbench results flip the script completely. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Core i7-5600U scores 1750 against the 2630QM's 1393, a 20.4% lead for the newer chip. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: the 5600U scores 917 versus 445, a massive 51.5% advantage. This is not a marginal difference; it is a near-doubling of single-core performance in Geekbench. Across the seven head-to-head benchmarks, the 2630QM wins five and the 5600U wins two, but the magnitude of the 5600U's wins in Geekbench is far larger than any single Cinebench margin.

What explains this divergence? The Cinebench tests are heavily threaded and scale with core count, which favors the 2630QM's 4 cores and 8 threads. Geekbench, particularly its single-core portion, rewards IPC improvements, memory bandwidth, and architectural efficiency, where the 5600U's newer Broadwell design shines. The 2630QM's wins are consistent at roughly 19% across all Cinebench variants, while the 5600U's Geekbench wins range from 20.4% to 51.5%. When averaged out, these opposing strengths cancel each other, resulting in the identical 1005 average benchmark score and a 0% deltaPct between the two in their nearest-rival listing.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs sit on opposite ends of Intel's design timeline. The Intel Core i7-2630QM uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process node, packing 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-5600U uses Broadwell on a 14 nm node, with 1,300 million transistors in a much smaller 82 mm² die. That process shrink is the root of most differences: it allows the 5600U to run at higher clocks with dramatically lower power. The 2630QM has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 2900 MHz, while the 5600U runs at 2600 MHz base and 3200 MHz boost. Despite the higher clocks, the 5600U has a 15W TDP versus the 2630QM's 45W TDP.

Core configuration is another major split. The 2630QM has 4 cores and 8 threads; the 5600U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Both share the same L1 cache structure at 64 KB per core and L2 at 256 KB per core, but the L3 cache differs: the 2630QM has 6 MB shared, while the 5600U has 4 MB shared. The integrated graphics also differ, with the 2630QM using Intel HD 3000 and the 5600U using Intel HD 5500. The 5600U supports DDR3 memory officially and lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the 2630QM's memory support field is not specified in the data; both use dual-channel memory buses. The 5600U also lists PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the 2630QM's PCIe configuration is unspecified. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both are end-of-life products. The sockets are incompatible: the 2630QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the 5600U uses Intel BGA 1168.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2630QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5600U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Why does the 5600U win Geekbench single-core by such a large margin?

A: The 5600U scores 917 versus the 2630QM's 445 in Geekbench single-core, a 51.5% difference. This is due to its newer Broadwell architecture, smaller 14 nm process node, and higher boost clock of 3200 MHz versus 2900 MHz.

Q: Does the 2630QM win any single-core tests?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the 2630QM scores 178 against the 5600U's 150, an 18.7% win. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 426 versus 358, a 19% win.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The 2630QM has a 45W TDP, while the 5600U has a 15W TDP. This makes the 5600U far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops.

Q: Are these processors still relevant for modern workloads?

A: Both are end-of-life products in the 27th percentile of all CPUs. Their identical average benchmark score of 1005 indicates they perform at the same overall level, though with different strengths in different tasks.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The 2630QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 5600U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: choose the Intel Core i7-2630QM if your priority is multi-threaded rendering or content creation. It wins all four Cinebench multicore tests by roughly 19%, and its 4-core/8-thread configuration is better suited for heavily parallel workloads. The 2630QM's consistent Cinebench victories, from R15's 304 score to R23's 3020 score, show that it scales well with thread count. Choose the Intel Core i7-5600U if you need single-thread performance or run memory-sensitive applications. Its Geekbench single-core score of 917 is more than double the 2630QM's 445, and its 20.4% multicore Geekbench win suggests better memory handling or IPC efficiency in that benchmark suite.

The identical 1005 average benchmark score means neither chip is universally faster. The 5600U's 15W TDP makes it the obvious pick for battery-powered ultraportables, while the 2630QM's 45W TDP suits larger laptops with better cooling. The 5600U's launch MSRP was $393; the 2630QM has no listed launch price. For a desktop-replacement laptop used for video editing or 3D rendering, the 2630QM is the stronger choice. For a compact notebook used for office work, web browsing, or single-threaded applications, the 5600U is clearly superior.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2630QM | Intel Core i7-5600U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2000 MHz | 2600 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 2900 MHz | 3200 MHz |

| TDP | 45W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Broadwell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,300 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 82 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | Intel HD 5500 |

| Memory Support | Not specified | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Release Date | 2011-01-02 | 2015-02-28 |

| Part Number | SR02Y | SR23V |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2630QM wins in all Cinebench scenarios, both multicore and single-core. This makes it the better choice for rendering workloads that use Cinebench-type scaling, such as 3D animation or visual effects. Its 19.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore (304 vs 255) and 19% lead in R23 multicore (3020 vs 2537) demonstrate clear superiority in thread-hungry applications. The 2630QM's 6 MB of L3 cache and 4-core design provide more raw parallel compute headroom.

The Intel Core i7-5600U wins in Geekbench tests, particularly single-core where it leads by 51.5%. This makes it the stronger performer for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and spreadsheet work, which rely heavily on single-thread speed. Its 20.4% Geekbench multicore win (1750 vs 1393) also suggests better performance in lighter multi-threaded workloads that don't fully utilize all cores. The 5600U's 15W TDP and smaller 82 mm² die make it the only sensible choice for ultra-thin laptops where cooling and battery life are paramount. The 5600U's higher base and boost clocks (2600/3200 MHz vs 2000/2900 MHz) give it an edge in bursty workloads that don't sustain long multi-threaded sessions. In short, the 2630QM is a workhorse for sustained parallel tasks; the 5600U is a sprinter for responsive single-threaded use in a low-power envelope.