CPU
GPU
Athlon II X4 651
Core i7-2630QM
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon II X4 651 is positioned at rank 505 and the Core i7-2630QM is on rank 1094, so the Athlon II X4 651 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 651
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2630QM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 651 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($92) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 651 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+315%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($92) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X4 651 and Core i7-2630QM
Athlon II X4 651
The Athlon II X4 651 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,584 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-2630QM
The Core i7-2630QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,550 points. Launch price was $378.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 651 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2630QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 651 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2630QM — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 651 (base: 3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Athlon II X4 651 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-2630QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 651 scores 3,584 against the Core i7-2630QM's 3,550 — a 1% lead for the Athlon II X4 651. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 651 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2630QM.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 651 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+3% | 2.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+50% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,584 | 3,550 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 651 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-2630QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 651 versus 1600 on the Core i7-2630QM — the Core i7-2630QM supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-2630QM supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 651) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2630QM).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 651 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | 1600+53233% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+52428700% | 32 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X4 651) / true (Core i7-2630QM). The Core i7-2630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X4 651 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2630QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 651 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X4 651 launched at $92 MSRP, while the Core i7-2630QM debuted at $378.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 651 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $92-76% | $378 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $92 | — |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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