Intel Core i7-2630QM

The Intel Core i7-2630QM is a mobile processor built on Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture at 32 nm, with 4 cores and 8 threads. It runs at a 2.00 GHz base clock and a 2.90 GHz boost clock, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache, dual-channel memory support, and Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. Its average benchmark score is 1006, placing it in the 27th percentile of all CPUs in the database; the processor is end-of-life and was released on 2011-01-02.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark results indicate a processor suited to light office productivity rather than demanding creation workloads. For typical office use, the combination of 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 2.90 GHz boost clock provides enough parallelism for routine multitasking. The Geekbench multicore score of 1393 and Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3026 are moderate, suggesting comfortable handling of document editing, spreadsheets, and web-based workflows.

For content creation, the data is less favorable. The Cinebench R20 multicore score of 1270 and Cinebench R15 multicore score of 304 place this chip in a range where heavy rendering, video encoding, or large batch processing would be slow. Users whose primary tasks involve such creation workloads should look at higher-scoring parts with better multicore throughput. Light creation tasks, such as occasional image editing or short video clips, may still be workable, but the 27th percentile overall rank shows the processor is well below the database average.

For gaming, single-core performance is the most relevant metric, and the numbers are cautious: Geekbench single-core 445, Cinebench R23 single-core 427, and Cinebench R20 single-core 179. These scores are enough for older or undemanding titles, but modern CPU-bound games would likely see noticeable bottlenecks. The integrated graphics, Intel HD 3000, further limits gaming capability, since the data does not list a discrete GPU as part of this processor. The i7-2630QM is therefore best considered by users updating an older laptop for basic work rather than by anyone building a gaming or creation-focused system.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i7-2630QM has a TDP of 45 W, which places it in a conventional class for mobile processors. Thermal management for a 45 W mobile part is more demanding than for ultra-low-power chips, so a capable notebook cooling solution is implied. The 32 nm manufacturing process and 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die contribute to the thermal characteristics of the chip.

Because the socket is Intel Socket G2 (988B), the cooling solution is part of the original laptop design rather than a user-selected aftermarket cooler. The data does not include a separate cooler requirement, but the 45 W TDP indicates that thin-and-light passive designs are not appropriate for this processor. A standard mobile thermal assembly with a heatpipe and fan would be the expected cooling tier. The processor is not unlocked, with multiplierUnlocked set to false, so users cannot adjust clocks to reduce thermal output through overclocking; the power and thermal envelope is effectively fixed by the platform.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the i7-2630QM covers seven results. In Cinebench R15 multicore it scores 304; in Cinebench R20 it scores 1270 multicore and 179 single-core; in Cinebench R23 it scores 3026 multicore and 427 single-core. Geekbench results are 1393 multicore and 445 single-core. These scores show a clear gap between multicore throughput and single-core performance, with the single-core results being particularly low.

The average benchmark score is 1006. Against its nearest rivals, the processor sits within a very tight band. The Intel Core i5-2500S has an average score of 1008, with a deltaPct of -0.2, meaning the i7-2630QM is 0.2% behind. The Intel Core i3-7100H averages 1003, with deltaPct +0.3, meaning the i7-2630QM is 0.3% ahead. The Intel Processor N100 and Intel Core i7-5600U both average 1009, with deltaPct -0.3 each, meaning the i7-2630QM is 0.3% behind both. In other words, four competing processors all land within one percentage point of the i7-2630QM, making the comparison nearly a statistical tie in average score.

The 27th percentile ranking reinforces that this is not a high-performance part by contemporary database standards. The multicore results, while stronger than the single-core results, remain modest when compared with the broader field. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3026 and Geekbench multicore score of 1393 indicate a usable but limited parallel processor, while the single-core scores of 427 in R23 and 445 in Geekbench show that lightly threaded workloads will not have a strong performance ceiling.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-2630QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a mobile socket from the Sandy Bridge generation. The architecture is Sandy Bridge, and the processor is manufactured on a 32 nm process. The die size is 216 mm² with 1,160 million transistors. The part number is SR02Y.

Memory support is dual-channel, and ECC memory is not supported. The data does not include a specific list of memory types or speeds, but the dual-channel interface is explicitly recorded. Because the processor is mobile and end-of-life, the upgrade path is effectively limited to systems that already use Socket G2 and compatible Sandy Bridge-era chipsets. No PCIe generation or lane information is listed in the data, so PCIe compatibility cannot be characterized from the fact pack.

The integrated graphics solution is Intel HD 3000. The processor is not unlocked, so the multiplier cannot be raised to increase performance. The production status is end-of-life, meaning platform support has moved on. Users holding an i7-2630QM laptop should expect compatibility to be constrained by the original motherboard design, memory bus, and cooling implementation.

How It Compares

The nearest rival by average score is the Intel Core i5-2500S, which averages 1008. The i7-2630QM trails it by 0.2%, a negligible difference in aggregate performance. Despite the i5-2500S being a desktop-oriented chip, its average score is essentially the same as this mobile i7.

The Intel Core i3-7100H averages 1003, putting the i7-2630QM 0.3% ahead. This is the only rival in the list that the i7-2630QM beats in average score. The margin is small, but it does show the i7-2630QM is comparable to a later mobile i3 in overall database performance.

The Intel Processor N100 averages 1009, with the i7-2630QM 0.3% behind. This comparison is notable because the N100 is a lower-power modern processor, yet its average score is essentially identical to that of the older 45 W i7. The data indicates that process and architecture improvements have allowed a much more efficient part to match this Sandy Bridge mobile chip.

The Intel Core i7-5600U also averages 1009, with the i7-2630QM 0.3% behind. The i7-5600U is a later dual-core mobile processor, while the i7-2630QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. The average scores, however, are nearly equal, showing that the extra physical cores of the 2630QM do not translate into a clear advantage over the newer rival in the aggregate benchmark used here.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-2630QM use?

A: It uses Intel Socket G2 (988B).

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: It includes Intel HD 3000.

Q: What is the TDP of the i7-2630QM?

A: The TDP is 45 W.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked.

Q: What manufacturing process is used?

A: The processor is built on a 32 nm process.