Intel Core i7-2635QM vs Intel Processor N100 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the two processors, with the Intel Processor N100 taking two of the three head-to-head wins. The most dramatic result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the N100 scores 910.5 against the Core i7-2635QM's 422, a 115.8% advantage. This is a massive margin, reflecting how far single-thread performance has advanced since the older Sandy Bridge architecture. The N100 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with a score of 401.5 versus 301, a 33.4% lead. That result is notable because the N100 achieves it with only 4 threads, while the Core i7-2635QM has 8 threads.

The Core i7-2635QM's single win comes in the more modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 2995 against the N100's 2559.5, a 14.5% advantage. This indicates that in a sustained multi-threaded workload, the extra threads of the older chip still provide a real benefit, even though its individual cores are much slower. The data suggests a trade-off: the N100 dominates in tasks that are sensitive to single-core speed, while the Core i7-2635QM holds an edge in heavily parallel workloads, but not by a huge amount.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the two parts are remarkably close overall. The N100 has an average score of 1007, while the Core i7-2635QM sits at 995. The nearest rivals for the N100 include the Intel Core i5-10210Y and Intel Core i7-880, both with an average score of 1006 and a delta of 0.1%, as well as the AMD FX-9830P at 1006. The Intel Core i3-7100H is slightly ahead at 1009, a -0.2% delta for the N100. For the Core i7-2635QM, the closest match is the Intel Core i7-2920XM and AMD Opteron 4226, both at 995 with a 0% delta, followed by the Intel Core i3-8130U at 994 (0.1%) and the Intel Xeon W3565 at 993 (0.2%). Both processors land in the 27th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar tier of overall performance, despite their very different architectures and release dates.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Intel Processor N100 is far faster in single-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 910.5 versus the Core i7-2635QM's 422, which is a 115.8% lead.

Q: Does the Core i7-2635QM ever win a benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 2995 against the N100's 2559.5, a 14.5% advantage. This is its only head-to-head win.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The Intel Processor N100 has an average benchmark score of 1007, while the Intel Core i7-2635QM scores 995. Both are in the 27th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the thread count difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-2635QM has 8 threads, while the Intel Processor N100 has 4 threads. This explains why the older chip can win a multi-core test despite losing badly in single-core.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Intel Processor N100 has a TDP of 6 watts, while the Intel Core i7-2635QM has a TDP of 45 watts. The data shows a 39-watt gap in thermal design power.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Processor N100 boosts to 3.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-2635QM boosts to 2.90 GHz. The N100's base clock is listed as 100.00, while the Core i7's base clock is 2000.00.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Processor N100 uses the Gracemont architecture, built on a 10 nm process node by Intel. It is part of the Alder Lake-N generation. The Core i7-2635QM is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 32 nm process, and belongs to the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation. The process node difference alone explains a large part of the efficiency and clock speed gaps. The N100 has a TDP of 6 watts, while the Core i7-2635QM draws 45 watts, a massive difference that is directly tied to the newer, more efficient manufacturing process.

The core designs also differ. The N100 has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a L1 cache of 96 KB per core and a 2 MB shared L2 cache. The Core i7-2635QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a smaller 64 KB L1 cache per core but a larger 256 KB L2 cache per core. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache. The N100's smaller L2 but larger L1 per core reflects a different cache hierarchy optimized for its efficiency-focused Gracemont cores. The Core i7-2635QM also has a much larger physical footprint, with a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors, while the N100's die size and transistor count are not recorded in the database.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The N100 comes with UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i7-2635QM features Intel HD 3000. The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core i7-2635QM has a dual-channel memory bus, but its memory support and bandwidth are not specified in the database. The N100 also has PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while no PCIe information is listed for the Core i7-2635QM. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Intel Processor N100 has a base clock of 100.00 and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-2635QM has a base clock of 2000.00 and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. The thread count differs as noted, with the N100 at 4 threads and the Core i7-2635QM at 8. The TDP is 6 watts versus 45 watts. The N100 uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket, while the Core i7-2635QM uses Intel BGA 1224. The process node is 10 nm for the N100 and 32 nm for the Core i7-2635QM. The N100's cache configuration includes 96 KB L1 per core and 2 MB shared L2, while the Core i7-2635QM has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core; both have 6 MB shared L3.

The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel bus, while the Core i7-2635QM's memory support is not recorded, but it has a dual-channel bus. The N100 has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Core i7-2635QM has no recorded bandwidth. The N100 has PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the Core i7-2635QM has no recorded PCIe data. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the N100 versus Intel HD 3000 on the Core i7. The N100 is an Active production part released on 2023-01-02 with a launch MSRP of $128, while the Core i7-2635QM is End-of-life and was released on 2011-01-02 with no launch MSRP recorded. The N100 has a part number of SRMDM, and the Core i7-2635QM has a part number of SR030.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation based on workload. The Intel Processor N100 is the better choice for anything that relies on single-threaded performance, where it is 115.8% ahead of the Core i7-2635QM in Cinebench R23 single-core. It also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 33.4%, despite having half the threads. The N100 achieves this with a 6-watt TDP, making it dramatically more efficient. The Core i7-2635QM is the pick only if you need the extra parallel throughput in modern multi-core tests, as shown by its 14.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. However, that win comes at a 45-watt TDP and with far worse single-thread performance. For most users, the N100's combination of efficiency and single-core speed makes it the more practical part, especially in mobile systems where thermals and battery life matter. The Core i7-2635QM is a legacy part that still has some utility in heavily threaded legacy workloads, but the benchmark results show it is outclassed in most measurable ways.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N100 wins in single-threaded and lightly threaded applications. The 115.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core means it will handle everyday tasks, web browsing, office work, and any software that is not fully optimized for 8 threads with significantly better responsiveness. Its 33.4% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core also shows that even in some multi-threaded scenarios, the newer architecture's efficiency can overcome a thread deficit. The N100 is also the clear winner in power-constrained scenarios, with its 6-watt TDP versus 45 watts for the Core i7-2635QM, making it suitable for fanless or ultra-portable designs.

The Intel Core i7-2635QM wins in sustained, heavily parallel workloads that scale well with threads. Its 14.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core indicates that applications like video encoding, 3D rendering, or other content creation tasks that can use 8 threads will see a measurable benefit. The dual-channel memory bus also gives it a potential edge in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks, though no bandwidth figure is recorded for it. However, this win comes with a much higher power draw and older architecture, so it is only the better choice when the workload is specifically multi-threaded and the system can handle the thermal load. For anything else, the N100 is the stronger performer according to the recorded data.