Intel Core i7-2670QM vs Intel Pentium 6805 Comparison

The Intel Pentium 6805 and Intel Core i7-2670QM represent two very different eras of mobile computing, yet they land in the same performance tier. The data shows a clear sweep for the newer Pentium in every shared benchmark, but the story is more nuanced than a simple victory. The i7-2670QM brings a quad-core configuration and a larger cache, while the Pentium 6805 counters with a modern architecture and significantly higher clock speeds. This matchup pits the raw throughput potential of an older flagship against the efficient, high-frequency design of a newer budget part.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head benchmark data, the Intel Pentium 6805 wins in every single test where both processors have results. This is a clean sweep, with the Pentium taking all five shared Cinebench tests. Its victories are consistent, with a lead of roughly 19.6% to 19.7% across both multi-core and single-core workloads. This suggests the Pentium 6805 is the superior choice for both heavily threaded rendering tasks and lightly threaded applications that rely on a single core.

The Intel Core i7-2670QM, however, does not win any of the shared benchmarks. Its only distinct advantage lies in the specification sheet, where it holds a 2-core and 4-thread advantage over the Pentium. It also features a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache compared to the Pentium's 4 MB. Despite this, the benchmark results indicate that the architectural and clock speed advantages of the Pentium 6805 are enough to overcome the i7's core count advantage in the tested workloads.

The data implies that the Pentium 6805 is the winner for any task that can be measured by Cinebench, from 3D rendering to single-threaded productivity. The i7-2670QM's potential advantage would have to be in a scenario not covered by these benchmarks, but the available evidence points entirely toward the Pentium.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Pentium 6805 is consistently faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3801 against the i7-2670QM's 3177, a 19.6% lead. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20 (1596 vs 1334) and R15 (383 vs 320).

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The Pentium 6805 also wins every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 536 versus the i7-2670QM's 448, a 19.6% difference. The gap is similar in Cinebench R20 (225 vs 188).

Q: Does the Core i7-2670QM's higher core count help it win any benchmarks?

A: No. Despite having 4 cores and 8 threads compared to the Pentium 6805's 2 cores and 4 threads, the i7-2670QM loses all five shared benchmarks. The Pentium's performance edge is decisive across the board.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Pentium 6805 has an average benchmark score of 1099, while the i7-2670QM sits at 1096. This puts them in the same 31st percentile of all CPUs, showing they are near-equals in overall performance despite the benchmark sweep.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Pentium 6805 has a 15W TDP, while the i7-2670QM has a 45W TDP. This makes the Pentium a substantially more power-efficient part, which is a significant factor for mobile devices.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the i7-2670QM has a result that the Pentium 6805 lacks?

A: Yes. The i7-2670QM has Geekbench results (1646 multi-core, 556 single-core). The Pentium 6805 does not have any Geekbench results in the data, so a direct comparison on that platform is not possible.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a remarkably consistent performance gap. The Pentium 6805's largest wins are in the multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 383 against the i7-2670QM's 320, a 19.7% advantage. This is mirrored in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the Pentium scoring 1596 versus 1334, a 19.6% delta.

The single-core tests show the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Pentium 6805 wins with a score of 225 over the i7-2670QM's 188, again a 19.7% lead. The Cinebench R23 results are equally decisive, with the Pentium 6805 scoring 536 in single-core and 3801 in multi-core, compared to the i7-2670QM's 448 and 3177, respectively. Both of these represent a 19.6% delta.

The uniformity of these results is notable. The performance difference is not specific to one type of workload; it is a general advantage that scales across all Cinebench tests. This suggests the Pentium 6805's architecture is fundamentally more efficient at executing instructions, allowing its higher boost clock of 3.00 GHz to overcome the i7-2670QM's 3.10 GHz boost and its two extra cores. The i7-2670QM does have a Geekbench score of 556 single-core and 1646 multi-core, but without a corresponding Pentium score, it cannot be used for a direct comparison.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets show two very different designs. The most obvious difference is in core count: the Intel Core i7-2670QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Pentium 6805 has 2 cores and 4 threads. This would normally suggest a major advantage for the i7, but the benchmark data contradicts that expectation.

Clock speeds also differ, with the i7-2670QM having a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz compared to the Pentium 6805's 1.10 GHz. However, their boost clocks are nearly identical, at 3.10 GHz for the i7 and 3.00 GHz for the Pentium. The TDP is a stark contrast, with the Pentium 6805 rated at 15W and the i7-2670QM at 45W.

The memory support is another point of divergence. The Pentium 6805 explicitly supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i7-2670QM's memory support field is null, though it does have a dual-channel bus. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the Pentium 6805 featuring UHD Graphics (32EU) and the i7-2670QM featuring Intel HD 3000. The sockets are also incompatible, with the Pentium using Intel BGA 1526 and the i7 using Intel Socket G2 (988B).

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is vast. The Pentium 6805 is built on Ice Lake, a 10 nm process, while the i7-2670QM is based on the older Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process. This process node difference is a major factor in the Pentium's efficiency and performance, allowing it to achieve higher performance while consuming less power.

The cache layouts also differ. The Pentium 6805 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, while the i7-2670QM has 64 KB per core. Both have 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the i7-2670QM has a larger shared L3 cache of 6 MB compared to the Pentium's 4 MB. The die size is significantly larger on the i7-2670QM at 216 mm² versus the Pentium's 123 mm², reflecting the older, less dense manufacturing process.

The Pentium 6805's architecture is the newer "Sunny Cove" design, while the i7-2670QM is the older Sandy Bridge. This architectural advantage is likely the key reason the Pentium 6805 can outperform the i7-2670QM in every benchmark despite having half the cores. The Pentium also supports PCIe Gen 3, a feature not specified for the i7-2670QM.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for most users. The Intel Pentium 6805 is the superior processor in this matchup. It wins every single benchmark where a comparison is possible, offering a consistent 19.6% to 19.7% performance advantage in both single and multi-core Cinebench tests. This is a decisive victory, especially considering the Pentium does it with a 15W TDP, making it far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops.

The Intel Core i7-2670QM's only saving grace is its Geekbench scores, which cannot be compared, and its theoretical advantage in core count and cache size. However, the benchmark results indicate that these advantages do not translate into real-world performance wins in the tested workloads. The i7-2670QM might have been a high-end part in 2011, but the data shows it is now outclassed by a newer, more efficient budget processor.

Users who prioritize raw performance in applications like Cinebench, which are representative of rendering and content creation workloads, should choose the Pentium 6805. Its modern architecture and high boost clock are more impactful than the i7-2670QM's extra cores. The i7-2670QM could only be considered for a system that requires its specific socket, but for pure performance, the Pentium 6805 is the clear pick. The consistent ~19.6% lead across all tests makes this a one-sided contest, with the Pentium 6805 emerging as the definitive winner.