Intel Core i7-680UM

The Intel Core i7-680UM is a 2010-era mobile processor that now sits at the very bottom of the performance spectrum, ranking in the 3rd percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 349 places it in a dead heat with a cluster of older dual-core parts, where the performance differences are measured in fractions of a percent rather than meaningful gains. This is not a processor for modern heavy lifting; it is a legacy part whose benchmark results indicate it is only suitable for basic, single-tasking workloads.

How It Compares

Against the AMD Opteron 2222, the i7-680UM is statistically identical, trailing by a negligible 0.3%. Both processors deliver nearly identical average scores (349 vs. 350), meaning that in real-world use, neither has a discernible advantage in multi-threaded or general productivity tasks. The data shows this is a tie, not a contest.

The Intel Core i3-2367M edges out the i7-680UM by a scant 0.4% (348 vs. 349). This rival, also a low-power mobile part, effectively trades blows with the older i7. Benchmark results indicate that the architectural differences between the two are irrelevant at this performance level; the user experience would be indistinguishable.

The Intel Core i3-2312M performs nearly identically, coming in 0.5% ahead of the i7-680UM. With a score of 347 versus 349, the margin is within the noise of testing. This comparison reinforces that the i7-680UM's "Core i7" branding does not translate to any performance advantage over mainstream i3 parts of a similar era.

The AMD Athlon II X2 250e is the only rival that leads the i7-680UM by a slightly larger margin, though still a trivial one at 0.6% (351 vs. 349). This desktop-oriented dual-core chip holds a tiny edge, but the data suggests that in a mobile context, the i7-680UM offers essentially the same level of compute capability.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark data reveals a processor heavily biased toward single-thread performance relative to its own multi-thread capability, though both are extremely low in absolute terms. In Cinebench R23, the i7-680UM scores 143 points in single-core and 1016 points in multi-core. This represents a multi-core scaling factor of roughly 7.1x, which is unusually high for a 2-core/4-thread part and suggests that the dual-core design with Hyper-Threading scales efficiently when both cores and all threads are fully loaded.

However, the absolute scores tell the real story. The single-core score of 143 is minuscule, indicating that the 1467 MHz base clock and 2.53 GHz boost clock cannot keep up with even basic modern instruction streams. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score drops to 60, while the multi-core score is 426. This split means the processor will feel sluggish in any task that relies on a single primary thread, such as older games or lightly threaded applications, because the per-core throughput is so limited. Conversely, the multi-core scores, while still low, show that the processor is relatively more capable when fully saturated, making it slightly better suited to batch-style tasks that can use all four threads simultaneously.

Who Should Consider It

Given its 3rd percentile ranking, this processor is not for anyone building a new primary system. Its benchmark results indicate it is only viable for legacy office and document processing. Tasks like word processing, spreadsheet navigation, and email are within its reach, provided the software is not overly complex. The dual-core design with 4 threads can handle a single foreground application, but multitasking will quickly degrade performance.

For casual creation, the i7-680UM is a poor match. Video editing and photo rendering are out of the question, as the multi-core scores of 1016 (R23) and 426 (R20) are far too low for encoding or rendering workloads. It might manage basic audio playback or simple image viewing, but any compute-intensive creation task will be painfully slow.

Gaming is not a realistic use case. The integrated HD Graphics (Ironlake) is from an era predating modern API requirements, and the single-core scores of 143 (R23) and 60 (R20) are insufficient for the physics and logic calculations of contemporary games. The processor is best suited for a secondary or backup machine where the only requirement is basic web browsing and light productivity, with the understanding that modern websites with heavy JavaScript will strain the single-thread performance.

FAQ

Q: How does the Core i7-680UM compare to the Intel Core i3-2367M?

A: The i7-680UM scores 349 on average, which is 0.4% lower than the Core i3-2367M's score of 348. The data shows they are effectively equivalent in performance.

Q: What is the best benchmark result for this processor?

A: Its highest recorded score is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it achieves 1016 points. Its single-core score in the same test is 143 points.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the FACT PACK indicates that ECC memory support is false. It supports standard DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the performance percentile of this CPU?

A: The Core i7-680UM ranks in the 3rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating that 97% of processors in the database perform better.

Q: What is the difference in average score between this CPU and the AMD Opteron 2222?

A: The AMD Opteron 2222 has an average score of 350, which is 0.3% higher than the i7-680UM's 349. The difference is negligible.

Q: What is the socket type for this processor?

A: The Core i7-680UM uses the Intel BGA 1288 socket, which is a ball-grid array design intended for soldered mobile applications.

Benchmark Performance

The raw benchmark data for the Core i7-680UM shows a processor that is consistently at the bottom of the charts. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 102 points, a figure that is dwarfed by even entry-level modern processors. The Cinebench R20 results show a multi-core score of 426 and a single-core score of 60, reinforcing the extreme performance deficit. Cinebench R23, the most demanding test in the pack, yields 1016 multi-core and 143 single-core points.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the deltas are razor-thin. The AMD Athlon II X2 250e leads by 0.6%, the Intel Core i3-2312M leads by 0.5%, and the Intel Core i3-2367M leads by 0.4%. The AMD Opteron 2222 is the only rival that scores lower, trailing by 0.3%. These margins are within standard run-to-run variance, meaning the data cannot reliably distinguish between these processors. The i7-680UM's average score of 349 places it squarely in a four-way statistical tie. The data indicates that any of these five processors would deliver the same user experience in identical workloads, which is to say, very slow by modern standards. Its 3rd percentile ranking is the most telling metric, as it confirms the processor is outperformed by 97% of all CPUs in the database.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core i7-680UM is built on the Westmere architecture with the Arrandale codename, fabricated on Intel's 32 nm process node. It uses the Intel BGA 1288 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable mobile platform. The processor contains 382 million transistors on a die size of 81 mm². For memory, it supports dual-channel DDR3 with a maximum bandwidth of 17.1 GB/s, and it does not support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is limited to Gen 2 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. The integrated graphics are HD Graphics (Ironlake), which provides basic display output but no meaningful 3D performance.

The upgrade path is nonexistent. As a BGA part, it is permanently attached to the motherboard, and the platform is end-of-life. The production status is listed as end-of-life, with a release date of September 25, 2010. The processor is not multiplier unlocked, so there is no overclocking headroom. The part number is SLBST. Users on this platform are stuck with the original hardware, and the only upgrade path is a full system replacement. The PCIe Gen 2 support is also legacy, meaning modern high-bandwidth GPUs will be bottlenecked by the interface, though the CPU's performance is far too low to drive any modern discrete graphics card effectively.

Power and Thermals

The Core i7-680UM has a TDP of 18 watts, classifying it as an ultra-low-power mobile processor. This is the defining feature of the chip, as it enables fanless or near-silent cooling solutions in thin laptops. The low power draw is achieved through the 1467 MHz base clock and a 32 nm manufacturing process, which reduces both heat generation and electrical consumption. The 2.53 GHz boost clock is a significant jump, but it is likely only sustainable for short bursts due to thermal and power constraints.

For cooling, this TDP class implies that a simple passive heatsink or a very low-speed fan is sufficient. The data suggests that thermal throttling is unlikely to be a major issue in normal operation, as the 18-watt envelope is easily managed by the cooling solutions common in 2010-era ultraportables. However, sustained multi-threaded workloads, such as the Cinebench R23 multi-core test that scores 1016, may push the processor toward its thermal limits, causing the boost clock to drop. The trade-off is clear: the i7-680UM offers minimal performance in exchange for minimal power consumption. Any modern laptop CPU, even those in the same 15-watt class, will vastly outperform it while maintaining similar or better efficiency, but for a system from its era, the 18-watt TDP was a key selling point for battery life.