Intel Core i7-2760QM vs Intel Processor N95 Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Processor N95 and Intel Core i7-2760QM are close in overall standing, both sitting at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1070 and 1057 respectively. That said, they win in completely different scenarios. The N95 takes 3 out of 4 head-to-head benchmark wins, mostly on single-threaded workloads, while the i7-2760QM takes the one that matters most for heavily threaded tasks: Cinebench R23 multi-core.

For a modern, power-efficient, daily-use system with light to moderate workloads, the Intel Processor N95 is the clear choice. Its single-core performance is dramatically better, it runs at a much lower TDP, and it is still an active product. For older software that scales with threads, or for a system that needs maximum sustained multi-threaded throughput despite its age, the Core i7-2760QM holds one notable advantage. But given that it is end-of-life, has a 45W TDP, and gets beaten in most measured tests, the N95 is the more practical pick for most buyers. The i7-2760QM is only preferable if your workload is specifically the type that uses eight threads, and you are willing to accept its power draw and older architecture.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from very different design eras. The Intel Processor N95 uses the Gracemont architecture, built on a 10 nm process, and is part of the Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) generation. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 100.00 MHz and a boost of 3.40 GHz. Its cache layout is a 96 KB L1 per core, a 2 MB shared L2, and a 6 MB shared L3. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a single-channel memory bus, with memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. It offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes, and its integrated graphics is UHD Graphics 710. The production status is active, and it was released in January 2023.

The Intel Core i7-2760QM uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process, and is part of the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation. It also has 4 cores, but it has 8 threads through Hyper-Threading. Its base clock is 2.40 GHz, with a boost to 3.50 GHz, and it has a TDP of 45W. Its cache layout differs notably: it has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and the same 6 MB shared L3. It uses a dual-channel memory bus, with no memory bandwidth figure recorded. It features Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, and its production status is end-of-life, with a release date of September 2011. The i7-2760QM also has a listed transistor count of 1,160 million and a die size of 216 mm².

The key architectural differences are the process node (10 nm vs 32 nm), cache layout (per-core vs shared L2), memory channel count, and the presence of Hyper-Threading in the i7-2760QM. The N95 has no ECC support; neither does the i7-2760QM.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N95 wins in every single-core benchmark. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 151 versus 51 for the i7-2760QM, a 196.1% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 914 versus 512, a 78.5% lead.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The N95 wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 445 versus 366, a 21.6% lead. However, the i7-2760QM wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 3631 versus 2769, a 23.7% advantage. The i7-2760QM has 8 threads versus 4, which helps in that heavier workload.

Q: Which processor has a lower power draw?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has a T1 of 15W, while the Intel Core i7-2760QM has a TDP of 45W. The N95 is significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor is newer and still in production?

A: The Intel Processor N95 was released in January 2023 and is marked as active. The Intel Core i7-2760QM was released in September 2011 and is end-of-life.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each processor?

A: The N95 has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s over a single-channel bus. The i7-2760QM uses a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The N95 has an average benchmark score of 1070, while the i7-2760QM has an average score of 1057. Both sit at the 29th percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications:

• Base Clock: N95 runs at 100.00 GHz, i7-2760QM at 2.40 GHz.
• Boost Clock: N95 boosts to 3.40 GHz, i7-2760QM to 3.50 GHz.
• TDP: N95 draws 15W, i7-2760QM draws 45W.
• Socket: N95 uses Intel BGA 1264, i7-2760QM uses Intel BGA 1224.
• Process Node: N95 is 10 nm, i7-2760QM is 32 nm.
• Threads: N95 has 4 threads, i7-2760QM has 8 threads.
• L1 Cache: N95 has 96 KB per core, i7-2760QM has 64 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: N95 has 2 MB shared, i7-2760QM has 256 KB per core.
• Memory Bus: N95 is single-channel, i7-2760QM is dual-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: N95 has 38.4 GB/s, i7-2760QM has no recorded value.
• Memory Support: N95 supports DDR4 and DDR5, i7-2760QM has no recorded memory support.
• PCIe: N95 has Gen 3 with 9 lanes, i7-2760QM has no recorded PCIe data.
• Integrated Graphics: N95 has UHD Graphics 710, i7-2760QM has HD 3000.
• Release Date: N95 is from 2023-01-02, i7-2760QM is from 2011-09-03.
• Production Status: N95 is active, i7-2760QM is end-of-life.
• Part Number: N95 has none, i7-2760QM has the part number SR02R.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split between single-core and multi-core workloads. The Intel Processor N95 wins three of the four tests, and it wins them by large margins.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the N95 scores 151 against the i7-2760QM's 51. That is a 196.1% delta, meaning the N95 delivers nearly triple the single-thread performance. This is the largest gap in any test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N95 scores 914 against 512, a 78.5% lead. Both results show the modern Gracemont architecture's IPC advantage over Sandy Bridge, even though the i7-2760QM has a higher boost clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz).

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N95 also wins, scoring 445 versus 366, a 21.6% advantage. This is despite the i7-2760QM having 8 threads versus 4. The N95's more efficient cores compensate for the thread deficit in this lighter multi-core workload.

However, the i7-2760QM takes the biggest multi-threaded test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3631 versus 2769, a 23.7% advantage. This shows that under sustained, heavy multi-thread load, the i7's two extra threads (8 versus 4) and its higher boost clock allow it to pull ahead significantly. The N95's 4 threads simply cannot keep up with the 8 threads in that scenario.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall balance: the N95 sits at 1070, while the i7-2760QM sits at 1057. Both belong to the 29th percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest rivals in the database are closely packed, with the N95 being 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 3380 and 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-2820QM, while the i7-2760QM is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Pentium G4600 and 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U.

Where Each One Wins

Choose the Intel Processor N95 if:

• Your workload is single-threaded: it wins both single-core benchmarks by massive margins (196.1% and 78.5%).
• You need low power consumption: its 15W TDP is one-third of the i7-2760QM's 45W.
• You want an active, current product with modern connectivity: it supports DDR4/DDR5, PCIe Gen 3, and has a 2023 release date.
• You run moderate multi-core tasks like Cinebench R15: it wins that by 21.6%.

Choose the Intel Core i7-2760QM for:

• Heavy multi-threaded rendering or workloads that scale beyond 4 threads, as shown by its 23.7% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core.
• You have a system that can handle its 45W power draw and respond to its higher boost clock.
• You need the dual-channel memory bus, though the database does not record its bandwidth, so the actual advantage is unmeasured.
• You are building a system for an older socket (BGA 1224) and require a legacy part that is still functional, despite it being end-of-life.

The data favors the N95 for most users, because it wins the majority of benchmarks, uses far less power, and is a current product. The i7-2760QM is a niche pick only for those who need extra thread count in a specific heavy multi-core scenario and are comfortable with its older, less efficient design.