CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N97 and the Intel Core i7-2720QM represent two very different eras of mobile computing, yet they land in the same performance percentile. The N97 is a modern, power-sipping Gracemont design, while the i7-2720QM is a legacy Sandy Bridge part with more threads. Benchmark data shows a fascinating split: the N97 dominates in single-core and older multi-core tests, while the i7-2720QM fights back in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core workload. This comparison highlights how architectural efficiency can offset raw thread counts, and vice versa.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N97 is dramatically faster, scoring 973 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 482 for the Intel Core i7-2720QM. That is a 101.9% advantage for the N97.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The results are mixed. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N97 wins with 479 points against 344 for the i7-2720QM (a 39.2% lead). However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-2720QM reverses the outcome, scoring 3417 versus 2913, a 14.7% margin for the older chip.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both have 4 physical cores. The Intel Processor N97 has 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-2720QM has 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has a 12W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-2720QM has a 45W TDP. The N97 also uses a 10 nm process node compared to the 32 nm node of the i7-2720QM.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Intel Processor N97 is listed as "Active" production, while the Intel Core i7-2720QM is marked as "End-of-life."

Q: How close are their average benchmark scores?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The N97 has an average score of 1132, and the i7-2720QM has an average score of 1128. Both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is vast, defined by a decade of Intel design evolution. The Intel Processor N97 is built on the Gracemont architecture, using a 10 nm process node, and belongs to the Alder Lake-N generation. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-2720QM uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process, and belongs to the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation. The N97's die is built by Intel, while the i7-2720QM uses 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The N97 carries 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of shared L2 cache, while the i7-2720QM has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache, but the N97's L1 and L2 structure is optimized for its efficiency-focused Gracemont cores. The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i7-2720QM uses a dual-channel memory bus, though its specific memory support is not listed.

Feature sets also diverge. The N97 includes PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only) and integrates UHD Graphics 730. The i7-2720QM integrates Intel HD 3000 graphics and lacks listed PCIe details. Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false) and target the mobile market segment. The N97 is a 2023 release, while the i7-2720QM dates to 2011, explaining the stark process and power differences.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N97 is the clear winner for single-threaded responsiveness and legacy application performance. Its 973-point Cinebench R23 single-core score is more than double the i7-2720QM's 482, making it the superior choice for daily tasks, web browsing, and lightly threaded software. The N97 also wins in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, suggesting it handles older multi-threaded applications better, likely due to its higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz and more modern instruction set.

The Intel Core i7-2720QM takes the crown in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core workload. Its 8 threads provide a decisive advantage in heavily parallelized tasks, allowing it to score 3417 versus the N97's 2913. This makes the i7-2720QM the better option for rendering, video encoding, or any workload that scales well with thread count. The i7-2720QM also shows strength in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 1535, though no direct N97 comparison is available in the head-to-head data.

For power-sensitive environments, the N97 wins by a landslide. Its 12W TDP versus 45W TDP means it generates far less heat and consumes less energy, making it ideal for fanless designs or battery-focused mobile devices. The i7-2720QM, with its higher power draw, is better suited for performance-oriented laptops where battery life is less critical.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor N97 | Intel Core i7-2720QM |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 12 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1224 |

| Architecture | Gracemont | Sandy Bridge |

| Generation | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) | Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 216 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 256 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | Not listed |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel HD 3000 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2023-01-02 | 2011-01-02 |

| Part Number | SRMLM | SR00W |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a clear generational split in performance. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N97 posts a score of 479, beating the Intel Core i7-2720QM's 344 by a substantial 39.2%. This older benchmark favors the N97's higher clock speeds and efficient cores, showing that in legacy multi-threaded applications, the modern chip is significantly faster.

The tables turn completely in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, the i7-2720QM scores 3417, outpacing the N97's 2913 by 14.7%. This is the i7-2720QM's only win in the head-to-head set, and it demonstrates the value of 8 threads versus 4. The Sandy Bridge chip leverages its extra threads to overcome the N97's architectural advantages in this demanding, modern workload.

The most lopsided result comes in Cinebench R23 single-core. The N97 achieves an impressive 973 points, while the i7-2720QM manages only 482. That is a 101.9% difference, meaning the N97 is more than twice as fast in single-threaded performance. This result reflects the massive IPC (instructions per clock) improvements Intel has made since Sandy Bridge.

Looking at the broader benchmark picture, the i7-2720QM has additional data points not shared by the N97. It scores 1435 in Cinebench R20 multi-core and 202 in Cinebench R20 single-core, plus 1535 in Geekbench multi-core and 484 in Geekbench single-core. The N97 has no comparable scores in these tests, so direct comparison is limited to the three shared tests. In those, the N97 wins two and the i7-2720QM wins one.

The average benchmark scores are almost identical, with the N97 at 1132 and the i7-2720QM at 1128. The nearest rivals for each chip tell a similar story: the N97's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-10110U (0.1% delta), while the i7-2720QM's is the Intel Core i5-3330S (0% delta). Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers overall, despite their very different strengths and weaknesses.