Intel Core i7-2860QM vs Intel Core i7-5557U Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear generational clash: the Sandy Bridge-based Intel Core i7-2860QM dominates multi-threaded and Cinebench workloads, while the Broadwell-based Intel Core i7-5557U counters with decisive wins in Geekbench and single-core tests. The i7-2860QM takes 5 of 7 head-to-head benchmarks, but the i7-5557U’s victories are so large in their specific tests that the overall average benchmark score is nearly identical: 1120 for the i7-2860QM versus 1110 for the i7-5557U. The i7-2860QM sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-5557U sits at the 31st, placing them statistically neck-and-neck in overall performance despite their very different architectures and core counts.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i7-2860QM if your priority is raw multi-threaded throughput. Its four cores and eight threads deliver a 44.4% advantage in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, with scores of 390, 1626, and 3873 respectively, versus 270, 1126, and 2682 for the i7-5557U. This processor also wins the Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests by 44.9% and 44.4% respectively, making it the unequivocal choice for any rendering or heavily threaded application.

Choose the Intel Core i7-5557U if you need superior single-threaded responsiveness in Geekbench-style workloads. It wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 2099 against 1681 for the i7-2860QM, a 19.9% margin, and it crushes the older chip in Geekbench single-core with 1060 versus 558, a 47.4% gap. This makes it the better fit for everyday applications that rely on single-core performance, despite having only two cores and four threads. The i7-5557U also offers a much newer 14 nm process node, lower 28 W TDP, and integrated Iris 6100 graphics, making it suitable for thinner, cooler-running mobile devices.

Architecture Differences

The i7-2860QM is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process node, while the i7-5557U uses the Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm node. This process shrink is substantial: the i7-5557U packs 1,900 million transistors into a 133 mm² die, whereas the i7-2860QM has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The newer node allows the i7-5557U to achieve higher clock speeds at a lower thermal envelope—3.10 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost with a 28 W TDP, compared to 2.50 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost with a 45 W TDP for the i7-2860QM.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Both share 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i7-2860QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 4 MB on the i7-5557U. The i7-2860QM has four cores and eight threads, while the i7-5557U has two cores and four threads. The i7-5557U supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i7-2860QM also uses a dual-channel bus but does not have a specified memory bandwidth in the data. The i7-5557U includes PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while PCIe details are absent for the i7-2860QM. The i7-5557U features Intel Iris 6100 integrated graphics, while the i7-2860QM uses Intel HD 3000. Both are end-of-life products, with the i7-2860QM releasing in 2011 and the i7-5557U in 2015.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-2860QM’s dominance in Cinebench is consistent and overwhelming. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 390 versus 270, a 44.4% lead. That exact 44.4% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1626 vs 1126) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3873 vs 2682). The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R20 single-core shows 229 vs 158 (44.9% lead), and R23 single-core shows 546 vs 378 (44.4% lead). These numbers indicate that the i7-2860QM’s extra cores and larger cache provide a massive advantage in rendering tasks that scale with thread count.

The i7-5557U’s wins come in Geekbench, and they are equally dramatic. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 2099 against 1681, winning by 19.9%. This is surprising given that the i7-2860QM has twice the cores and threads, suggesting the i7-5557U’s newer architecture and higher base clock (3.10 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) compensate for its core deficit in this particular benchmark. The Geekbench single-core test is even more lopsided: 1060 for the i7-5557U versus 558 for the i7-2860QM, a 47.4% margin. This nearly doubles the older chip’s score, highlighting the massive IPC (instructions per clock) improvement from Sandy Bridge to Broadwell.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The i7-2860QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-5557U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.50 GHz for the i7-2860QM versus 3.10 GHz for the i7-5557U. Boost clocks are closer, with 3.60 GHz for the i7-2860QM and 3.40 GHz for the i7-5557U. TDP is a major differentiator: 45 W for the i7-2860QM versus 28 W for the i7-5557U. The i7-2860QM uses a larger 8 MB L3 cache versus 4 MB on the i7-5557U. Process nodes differ (32 nm vs 14 nm), as do transistor counts (1,160 million vs 1,900 million) and die sizes (216 mm² vs 133 mm²). The i7-5557U has explicit memory support for DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes, while these fields are null for the i7-2860QM. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 3000 on the i7-2860QM versus Intel Iris 6100 on the i7-5557U. Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-2860QM versus Intel BGA 1168 for the i7-5557U. The i7-5557U has a launch MSRP of $426; the i7-2860QM has no launch MSRP listed. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both support dual-channel memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5557U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i7-2860QM in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The i7-2860QM leads by 44.4% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, with scores of 390 vs 270, 1626 vs 1126, and 3873 vs 2682 respectively.

Q: What is the i7-5557U’s biggest single benchmark win?

A: The i7-5557U wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1060 versus 558, a 47.4% advantage over the i7-2860QM.

Q: Do the two processors use the same memory type and bandwidth?

A: Both use dual-channel memory, but the i7-5557U explicitly supports DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-2860QM’s memory support and bandwidth are not specified in the data.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP and what does it mean?

A: The i7-5557U has a 28 W TDP compared to 45 W for the i7-2860QM, indicating the i7-5557U is designed for lower power consumption and potentially thinner mobile devices.

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each chip?

A: The i7-2860QM uses Intel HD 3000, while the i7-5557U features Intel Iris 6100, which is a more capable integrated graphics solution.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2860QM wins decisively in all Cinebench workloads, which are representative of 3D rendering and content creation tasks. Its 44.4% lead across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests makes it the clear choice for anyone running video encoding, 3D modeling, or batch photo processing where multi-threading is leveraged. It also wins Cinebench single-core tests by 44.4-44.9%, meaning it even outperforms the newer chip in some single-threaded rendering scenarios. With its higher TDP of 45 W, this processor is suited for larger laptops or mobile workstations where power draw is less constrained, and the 8 MB of L3 cache likely contributes to its rendering performance.

The i7-5557U wins in Geekbench tests, which are more representative of general-purpose computing, office productivity, and everyday multitasking. Its 19.9% lead in Geekbench multi-core and 47.4% lead in Geekbench single-core indicate that it handles typical consumer applications with greater speed per thread. The lower 28 W TDP and 14 nm process node make it ideal for ultrabooks and compact laptops where battery life and thermal management are critical. The newer Iris 6100 graphics also give it a significant edge for casual gaming and video playback without a discrete GPU. Its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz on the i7-2860QM contributes to snappier responsiveness in burst workloads. In short, the i7-2860QM is the rendering beast, while the i7-5557U is the efficient all-rounder for everyday tasks.