Athlon X4 950 vs Core i7-2630QM

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 950

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

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Core i7-2630QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011

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Athlon X4 950 vs Core i7-2630QM Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 950

4 / 4

3,576

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-2630QM

4 / 8

3,550

0.0%

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.

Athlon X4 950 vs Core i7-2630QM FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon X4 950 vs Core i7-2630QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon X4 950

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $320 less on MSRP ($58 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 556.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.7 vs 9.4 PassMark/$ ($58 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-2630QM.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2630QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2630QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-2630QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Athlon X4 950 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,550 vs 3,576).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.4 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $58 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X4 950.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 950 better than Core i7-2630QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2630QM is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 950 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 950 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Athlon X4 950 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 950 comes in $320 cheaper on MSRP at $58 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2630QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 556.5% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 9.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Athlon X4 950 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 950 vs Core i7-2630QM Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Athlon X4 950

The Athlon X4 950 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 3,576 points. Launch price was $60.

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.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 950 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2630QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 950 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2630QM — a 26.9% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 950 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Athlon X4 950 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-2630QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 950 scores 3,576 against the Core i7-2630QM's 3,550 — a 0.7% lead for the Athlon X4 950. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon X4 950 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2630QM.

Feature	Athlon X4 950	Core i7-2630QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+31%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+75%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,576	3,550
Geekbench 6 Single	656	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,637	—

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 950 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2630QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Athlon X4 950 versus 1600 on the Core i7-2630QM — the Athlon X4 950 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 950 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon X4 950) vs 16 (Core i7-2630QM) — the Core i7-2630QM offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Socket AM4 (Athlon X4 950) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2630QM).

Feature	Athlon X4 950	Core i7-2630QM
Socket	AM4	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X4 950) vs true (Core i7-2630QM). The Core i7-2630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon X4 950 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2630QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Athlon X4 950	Core i7-2630QM
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 950 was priced at $58, while the Core i7-2630QM came in at $378. On launch pricing ($58 vs $378), Athlon X4 950 was $320 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 950 delivers 61.7 pts/$ vs 9.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-2630QM — making the Athlon X4 950 the 147.1% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 950	Core i7-2630QM
MSRP	$58-85%	$378
Performance per Dollar	61.7+556%	9.4
Release Date	2017	2011

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