Intel Core i7-2715QE vs Intel Core i7-870 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, if narrow, victory for the Intel Core i7-2715QE across every Cinebench test in the database. The largest margin appears in the single-core R20 test, where the 2715QE scores 162 against the 870's 159, a delta of 1.9%. The multicore R15 test shows a 275 to 271 result, a 1.5% lead for the mobile chip. The R20 multicore run repeats the pattern exactly: 1149 versus 1132, again a 1.5% advantage. The R23 multicore test yields 2737 for the 2715QE and 2697 for the 870, a 1.5% gap, while the R23 single-core test shows 386 versus 380, a 1.6% lead.

What stands out is the uniformity of the margins. Every delta sits between 1.5% and 1.9%, suggesting the two processors are fundamentally balanced in raw throughput, with the 2715QE holding a slight edge in every scenario. The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this: the 2715QE averages 942, while the 870 averages 928. That 14-point gap translates to a roughly 1.5% overall difference, entirely consistent with the head-to-head deltas.

The win tally is unambiguous: the 2715QE takes all 5 head-to-head tests, while the 870 wins none. Yet the magnitude of those wins is small enough that the 870 remains competitive in absolute terms. For context, the 2715QE's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-8145U (average score 941, delta 0.1%) and the AMD Athlon X4 860K (average score 943, delta -0.1%). The 870's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4288U (average score 927, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i3-4350T (average score 926, delta 0.2%). Both processors sit at the 25th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same tier in the overall distribution, just with the 2715QE slightly ahead within that tier.

Where Each One Wins

The 2715QE wins every benchmark in the head-to-head set, but the question is what that means in practice. Look at the single-core results: R20 single-core shows 162 versus 159, and R23 single-core shows 386 versus 380. The 2715QE's lead there is proportionally similar to its multicore lead, which is interesting because the two chips have very different clock profiles. The 870 has a base clock of 2.93 GHz and a boost of 3.60 GHz, while the 2715QE has a base of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 3.00 GHz. Despite the 870's higher clocks, the 2715QE still manages to edge ahead in single-threaded work, likely due to architectural improvements in Sandy Bridge over Nehalem.

For multicore workloads, the pattern holds. The R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests all show the 2715QE ahead by 1.5%. Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the comparison is purely about per-core efficiency and memory subsystem behavior. The 2715QE's smaller 6 MB shared L3 cache versus the 870's 8 MB shared L3 does not hurt it in these tests; the newer architecture compensates.

The 870 does not have a single benchmark win in this dataset. That said, its higher clock speeds might suggest it would excel in older or less cache-sensitive workloads, but the recorded Cinebench results do not support that hypothesis. The 870's only theoretical advantage is its 8 MB L3 cache, which could matter in workloads with larger working sets, but the database shows no test where that translates into a score advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2715QE has an average benchmark score of 942, while the Intel Core i7-870 has an average score of 928.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any test?

A: The largest gap is in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the 2715QE scores 162 and the 870 scores 159, a delta of 1.9%.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How does the 2715QE compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-8145U?

A: The 2715QE has an average score of 942, while the i3-8145U has an average score of 941, a delta of 0.1% in favor of the 2715QE.

Q: What is the memory bus configuration for both chips?

A: Both the 2715QE and the 870 use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Does the 870 have any benchmark win over the 2715QE?

A: No, the head-to-head data shows the 2715QE winning all 5 tests, with the 870 winning none.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The 2715QE has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz, while the 870 has a base clock of 2.93 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The 2715QE has a TDP of 45 watts, whereas the 870 has a TDP of 95 watts. The socket types are different: the 2715QE uses Intel BGA 1023, while the 870 uses Intel Socket 1156.

The 2715QE is a mobile processor with integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), while the 870 is a desktop processor with no integrated graphics. The 870 supports DDR3 memory, while the 2715QE has no listed memory support field. The 870 has a PCIe configuration of Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 2715QE has no listed PCIe field. The 2715QE has a process node of 32 nm and a die size of 216 mm², while the 870 has a process node of 45 nm and a die size of 296 mm². The 2715QE uses 1,160 million transistors, while the 870 uses 774 million. The 2715QE has a part number of SR076, while the 870 has a part number of SLBJG. The release dates differ: the 2715QE was released on 2011-01-02, while the 870 was released on 2009-09-07.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is clear: the 2715QE is built on Sandy Bridge, while the 870 is built on Nehalem. The codenames reflect this, with the 2715QE using the Sandy Bridge codename and the 870 using Lynnfield. The 2715QE uses a 32 nm process, while the 870 uses a 45 nm process, which explains the transistor count difference: 1,160 million versus 774 million. The die size also diverges, with the 2715QE at 216 mm² and the 870 at 296 mm², meaning the newer chip packs more transistors into a smaller area.

Cache configurations differ in the L3 tier. The 2715QE has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 870 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The 870's larger L3 cache is a legacy of its Lynnfield design, which favored more cache over architectural refinements.

The 2715QE integrates Intel HD 3000 graphics, while the 870 has no integrated graphics at all. This is a significant functional difference for systems that rely on the CPU's built-in display output. The 870 compensates with a PCIe Gen 2 interface with 16 lanes (CPU only), which the 2715QE does not list. Both processors support dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either.

The market segments also differ: the 2715QE is a mobile part, while the 870 is a desktop part. This explains the TDP disparity, with the mobile chip at 45 watts and the desktop chip at 95 watts. The production status for both is end-of-life, and both are now legacy parts in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-2715QE as the better performer in every recorded benchmark, but the margins are slim. Across all five Cinebench tests, the 2715QE leads by 1.5% to 1.9%, which is a consistent but modest advantage. The average benchmark score of 942 versus 928 reinforces this, placing the 2715QE about 1.5% ahead overall.

Who should pick the 2715QE? Anyone prioritizing single-thread performance, as it wins both single-core tests despite having lower clock speeds. Its 32 nm architecture and integrated graphics also make it a more self-contained solution for compact or mobile systems. The 45 watt TDP is notably lower than the 870's 95 watts, which matters for thermal-constrained environments.

Who should pick the 870? The data does not show any benchmark where it wins, so the decision rests on other factors. Its 8 MB L3 cache is larger, which could benefit workloads with large working sets that are not represented in these Cinebench tests. Its higher base and boost clocks might also translate to better performance in software that does not scale across all threads or that relies heavily on raw clock speed. For desktop builds with a discrete GPU, the lack of integrated graphics is irrelevant, and the Socket 1156 platform offers a different upgrade path.

The percentile data places both at the 25th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a high-end part by modern standards. The 2715QE's nearest rivals include the i3-8145U and Athlon X4 860K, while the 870 sits alongside the i5-4288U and i3-4350T. This suggests that in the broader competitive landscape, both processors are comparable to low-end and mid-range parts from later generations. The 2715QE edges ahead, but the 870 remains a viable alternative for users who prioritize cache capacity and higher clocks over architectural efficiency. Ultimately, the 2715QE is the data-backed choice for raw Cinebench performance, while the 870's appeal lies in its specific platform and cache characteristics.