Intel Core i7-2860QM vs Intel Processor N97 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results between the Intel Processor N97 and the Intel Core i7-2860QM show a clear split between single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. Across the four shared benchmark tests, the N97 wins three, while the Core i7-2860QM takes one decisive victory.

Looking at Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N97 scores 479 against the Core i7-2860QM's 390. That is a 22.8% advantage for the newer chip. The gap becomes enormous in Cinebench R15 single-core: the N97 posts 161 versus 54 for the i7-2860QM, a 198.1% lead. This is the largest single delta in the head-to-head data. The N97 delivers nearly triple the single-core performance in this older rendering test.

The pattern continues in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the N97 scores 973 versus 546 for the i7-2860QM. That is a 78.2% advantage. For any workload that depends on a single thread, the N97 is clearly the stronger processor. The difference is large enough that the i7-2860QM cannot compensate even with its higher thread count in lightly threaded tasks.

The one reversal comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here the Core i7-2860QM scores 3873, while the Intel Processor N97 scores 2913. The i7-2860QM leads by 24.8% in this test. This is a substantial margin, but it is not as dramatic as the single-core gaps. The reason becomes clear when considering the specification differences: the i7-2860QM has 8 threads versus 4 threads for the N97, and it has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz. Even though the N97 has a newer architecture and a higher boost clock, the i7's extra threads give it a decisive edge in fully parallel rendering workloads.

It is notably the two processors land at the same percentile vs all CPUs: both sit at the 32nd percentile. The average benchmark scores are also close, with the N97 at 1132 and the i7-2860QM at 1120. The delta is just 1.1%, which places them in the same performance class overall, but the distribution of that performance matters. The N97 excels at single-threaded tasks, while the i7-7 excels at multi-threaded tasks.

In the nearest rival data, the Intel Processor N97 sits right next to the Intel Core i3-10110U (delta 0.1%), Intel Pentium Gold G5500 (0.2%), and Intel Core i3-4370 (0.2%). The Core i7-2860QM is bracketed by the AMD Athlon 240GE (0%), Intel Xeon D-1518 (-0.1%), and Intel Core i3-4150 (0.1%). These rival sets confirm that the two CPUs are in the same performance tier on average, but the head-to-head results show they achieve that average in very different ways.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins with a score of 3873 versus 2913 for the Intel Processor N97. The delta is 24.8% in favor of the i7-2860QM.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel Processor N97 scores 161 versus the i7-2860QM's 54. That is a 198.1% advantage for the N97.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The N7 has an average benchmark score of 1132, while the i7-2860QM has an average of 1120. The difference is about 1.1%, which is minor in absolute terms.

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM has 8 threads, while the Intel Processor N97 has 4 threads. This explains the i7's multi-threaded lead in Cinebench R23.

Q: Do both chips share the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 32nd percentile vs all CPUs, confirming they are in the same overall performance bracket, even though their strengths differ.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-2860QM is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel Processor N97 is listed as active in production.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Processor N97 uses the Gracemont architecture, which is part of the Alder Lake-N generation, fabricated on a 10 nm process node. The Intel Core i7-2860QM is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, which is much older, fabricated on a 32 nm process node.

The N97's Gracemont architecture is designed for efficiency and modern instruction handling. It has a 10 nm process, which allows denser and more power-efficient transistors. The i7-2860QM's Sandy Bridge architecture uses a 32 nm process, which is considerably larger and less efficient. The N97 also has a much larger L1 cache: 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core for the i7. The L2 cache is configured differently as well: the N97 has 2 MB shared, while the i7-2860QM has 256 KB per core. The L3 cache is 6 MB shared on the N97 and 8 MB shared on the i7-2860QM.

The i7-2860QM belongs to the Sandy Bridge generation (Core i7), while the N97 belongs to the Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) generation. The N97 also has a newer integrated GPU: UHD Graphics 730 versus Intel HD 3000. Additionally, the N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the i7-2860QM has no memory support field listed in the data.

One notable architectural advantage of the N97 is its PCIe support. It offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-2860QM has no PCIe data listed. The N97 also has a lower TDP of 12 watts, which is a fraction of the i7-2860QM's 45 watts. This makes the N97 far more efficient for mobile workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields:

• Threads: The i7-2860QM has 8 threads, the N7 has 4 threads.
• Base clock: The i7-2860QM runs at 2.50 GHz, the N7 at 2.00 GHz.
• Boost clock: Both reach 3.60 GHz, so they are identical in boost.
• Process node: The N7 is 10 nm, the i7-2860QM is 32 nm.
• Transistors: The i7-2860QM has 1,160 million transistors; the N7 has no transistor count listed.
• Die size: The i7-2860QM has a 216 mm² die; the N7 has no die size listed.
• L1 cache: The N7 has 96 KB per core, the i7-2860QM has 64 KB per core.
• L2 cache: The N7 has 2 MB shared, the i7-2860QM has 256 KB per core.
• L3 cache: The N7 has 6 MB shared, the i7-2860QM has 8 MB shared.
• Memory bus: The N7 is single-channel, the i7-2860QM is dual-channel.
• Memory bandwidth: The N7 has 38.4 GB/s; the i7-2860QM has no bandwidth listed.
• Socket: The N7 uses Intel BGA 1264, the i7-2860QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B).
• Integrated graphics: The N7 has UHD Graphics 730, the i7-2860QM has Intel HD 3000.
• Production status: The N7 is active, the i7-2860QM is end-of-life.
• Release date: The N7 launched in 2023-01-03, the i7-2860QM in 2011-09-04.
• Memory support: The N7 supports DDR4 and DDR5, the i7-2860QM has no memory support listed.
• PCIe: The N7 has Gen 3 with 9 lanes, the i7-2860QM has no PCIe data.

The Verdict

The data makes a clear case for different use cases. The Intel Processor N97 is the better choice for any workload that depends on single-threaded speed. It leads the i7-2860QM by 78.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core and by 198.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core. For everyday apps, web browsing, and office productivity that rely on single-thread response, the N7 is the stronger pick.

The Intel Core i7-2860QM is the better option for highly parallel multi-threaded rendering. Its 8 threads versus 4 threads, plus a higher base clock, give it a 24.8% edge in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3873 versus 2913). That is a meaningful difference for video encoding or 3D rendering that scales across all cores.

There are efficiency concerns as well. The N7 has a TDP of 12 watts, while the i7-2860QM has a TDP of 45 watts. The N7 also runs on a 10 nm process and is in active production. The i7-2860QM is end-of-life on 32 nm. For any modern system builder, the N7 is the more future-proof option, despite its single-channel memory bus.

In a straight average, the two chips are nearly identical: 1132 vs 1120 average benchmark scores, both at the 32nd percentile. But the shape of the performance is opposite. The N7 is a single-core speedster with modest multi-core output; the i7-2860QM is a multi-core workhorse with dated single-core performance. Choose the N7 if you need responsive single-threaded performance and power efficiency. Choose the i7-2860QM only if you specifically need maximum multi-threaded rendering in an older platform and can accept its much higher power draw and end-of-life status. The data does not support a single winner, but it clearly defines two distinct strengths.