Intel Core i7-2820QM

The Intel Core i7-2820QM is a mobile processor from the Sandy Bridge generation, built on Intel's 32 nm process and featuring 4 cores and 8 threads. With a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, this end-of-life chip occupies the 29th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating that it sits below the majority of modern processors in overall performance. Its average benchmark score of 1075 places it in a tight cluster with rivals that include desktop and mobile parts, making it a chip whose performance profile is best understood through specific workload analysis rather than general assumptions.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data paints a clear picture for workload-based recommendations. This processor is a poor fit for modern multi-threaded content creation, as its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3725 is modest by current standards. Users engaged in heavy video rendering, 3D modeling, or large-scale compilation will find the 4-core/8-thread configuration limiting, as the data shows it delivers roughly a quarter of the multicore performance of contemporary high-end desktop parts. The Cinebench R20 multicore score of 1564 reinforces this, indicating that sustained all-core workloads will be a struggle.

For single-threaded office productivity, the picture is only slightly better. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 525 and Geekbench single-core score of 517 suggest that basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and spreadsheet work will be functional but not snappy by modern standards. The processor's 29th percentile ranking means that even entry-level current-generation chips will outperform it in most everyday scenarios. Gamers should be cautious: while the integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics can handle very light titles, the CPU's raw scores do not support a recommendation for anything beyond older or esports-level games at low settings.

The most realistic consideration scenario is for users maintaining legacy laptops or those needing a drop-in replacement for a Sandy Bridge-era system that has failed. In that context, the i7-2820QM provides a balanced 4-core/8-thread setup with a reasonable boost clock of 3.40 GHz, making it a serviceable upgrade over older dual-core mobile parts from the same generation. It is not a processor for new builds, nor is it suitable for anyone seeking high frame rates or quick render times — the benchmark data simply does not support those use cases.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread scores reveals a processor that is relatively more capable in multi-threaded tasks than in single-threaded ones, but still weak in both absolute terms. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3725 is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score of 525, which reflects the expected scaling from 4 cores and 8 threads. However, this scaling ratio is not exceptional; modern chips with similar core counts often show better efficiency per thread. The Geekbench scores tell a similar story: 1623 multicore versus 517 single-core yields a ratio of about 3.1, which is lower than the Cinebench ratio, highlighting that different workloads stress the architecture differently.

In real-world terms, the single-thread performance is the chip's main bottleneck. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 52 is particularly low, indicating that applications which rely heavily on one core — such as older games, some productivity tools, and certain scripting workloads — will feel sluggish. The boost clock of 3.40 GHz helps, but the Sandy Bridge architecture's age shows in instructions-per-clock efficiency. Conversely, the multi-threaded results, while not impressive, are less embarrassing relative to the chip's era, as the 4-core/8-thread configuration was a premium feature in 2011. Users who run parallelizable batch tasks, such as encoding multiple files or running virtual machines with limited core allocation, will see better utilization of the hardware than those who depend on single-thread responsiveness.

Power and Thermals

The i7-2820QM carries a TDP of 45 watts, which classifies it as a standard-performance mobile processor for its generation. This TDP level implies a need for a dedicated cooling solution — a small fan and heatpipe assembly, typically found in 15-inch and larger laptops from the Sandy Bridge era. The 32 nm process node and 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die generate heat that a passive cooler cannot handle, so any system using this chip must have active airflow.

For a modern perspective, a 45-watt TDP is moderate for a laptop part, but the architecture's lower efficiency means it may run warmer than a similarly rated modern chip under load. Users should ensure that thermal paste is fresh and that cooling vents are unobstructed if they are repurposing an old system with this processor. The absence of an unlocked multiplier means no overclocking headroom, so thermals are purely a matter of stock operation. In practice, a capable air cooler with a heatpipe design should be sufficient, but sustained all-core loads will push temperatures up, and the system's chassis design will be the deciding factor in how well it dissipates that 45-watt envelope.

How It Compares

The nearest rival data shows an exceptionally tight grouping, with all four comparison chips scoring within 0.3 percent of the i7-2820QM's average benchmark score of 1075. This indicates that the i7-2820QM is effectively performance-identical to its closest peers, making the choice between them a matter of platform and feature support rather than raw speed.

Intel Pentium Gold G6505: This desktop processor posts an average score of 1074, which is a 0.1 percent delta relative to the i7-2820QM. The difference is negligible, meaning the two chips trade blows within the margin of benchmark noise. However, the G6505 is a modern desktop part, so it likely offers better platform features like newer memory support and PCIe connectivity, even though the raw compute is statistically tied.

Intel Core i7-2760QM: This is essentially the same silicon as the i7-2820QM, with an average score of 1076 and a delta of -0.1 percent. The 0.1 percent gap is meaningless in practice, and the two chips are interchangeable in performance. Users should consider them identical for all practical purposes, with the i7-2820QM's slightly higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz not translating into a measurable benchmark advantage.

Intel Core i5-5287U: A dual-core mobile part from a later generation, the i5-5287U scores 1078, which is 0.2 percent higher than the i7-2820QM. This is a notable result because the i5-5287U has fewer cores and threads, yet matches the quad-core i7-2820QM due to its newer architecture's higher instructions-per-clock. The data shows that core count alone does not guarantee superiority; architectural efficiency can compensate for fewer cores.

Intel Core i5-2320: This desktop quad-core from the same Sandy Bridge era scores 1078, a 0.3 percent delta. The i5-2320 lacks Hyper-Threading (4 threads vs. 8 threads on the i7-2820QM), yet still edges out the mobile chip in average score. The i7-2820QM's higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz versus the i5-2320's lower clock does not overcome the desktop part's more favorable thermal and power headroom, which allows it to sustain performance more consistently.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-2820QM suitable for gaming?

A: The benchmark data indicates limited gaming potential. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 525 and Geekbench single-core score of 517 place it well below the thresholds for modern gaming, and the integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics are not capable of handling demanding titles. It could manage older or very light games at low resolutions, but it is not recommended for any current gaming workload.

Q: How does the i7-2820QM compare to a modern budget processor?

A: The i7-2820QM sits at the 29th percentile of all CPUs, with an average score of 1075. It is effectively tied with the Intel Pentium Gold G6505, which has a 0.1 percent delta, and the Intel Core i5-5287U, which is 0.2 percent faster. This means any modern budget chip will outperform it, often with fewer cores, due to architectural improvements.

Q: Can I overclock the i7-2820QM?

A: No. The multiplier is locked, as indicated by the `multiplierUnlocked` field being false. The boost clock of 3.40 GHz is the maximum frequency the chip will reach under load, and there is no user-accessible overclocking capability.

Q: What memory configuration does the i7-2820QM support?

A: The FACT PACK lists memory support as dual-channel, but it does not specify the memory type or maximum capacity. The chip's memory bus is dual-channel, which means two sticks of RAM are recommended for optimal bandwidth, but the specific DDR generation and speed are not provided in the data.

Q: Is the i7-2820QM still in production?

A: No. The production status is listed as "End-of-life," and the release date is January 2011. This processor is obsolete for new systems, and any purchase would be for used or refurbished hardware.

Q: How does the i7-2820QM perform in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 52 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 525 indicate weak single-thread performance. The Geekbench single-core score of 517 corroborates this, placing the chip far below modern standards. Applications that rely on a single core will feel dated and may exhibit noticeable lag.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-2820QM uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B), which is specific to mobile platforms from the Sandy Bridge generation. This socket is compatible with a range of laptops from 2011, and the chip's part number is SR012. The architecture is Sandy Bridge, and the processor belongs to the Core i7 generation, with a 32 nm process node. There is no PCIe information provided in the FACT PACK, so expansion capabilities are not detailed, but the platform is limited to the integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics unless the laptop has a discrete GPU.

Memory support is dual-channel, with no specific type or speed listed, but the 8 MB of shared L3 cache is allocated across the 4 cores. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core and L2 is 256 KB per core, providing a total of 8 MB of L3 for the entire chip. ECC memory is not supported, so this processor requires standard non-ECC modules. The upgrade path is essentially nonexistent for new hardware, as this is an end-of-life product. Users looking to improve performance within the same socket could seek out a higher-clocked Sandy Bridge mobile i7, but the nearest rival data shows that the i7-2760QM is statistically identical, so such an upgrade would yield no measurable benefit. The platform is firmly anchored to legacy laptops, and any meaningful upgrade would require a move to a different socket and generation entirely.