Athlon X4 950 vs Core i7-2630QM
Athlon X4 950
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 X4 950 is positioned at rank 344 and the Core i7-2630QM is on rank 1094, so the Athlon X4 950 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 950
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2630QM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 950 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 950 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2438%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ 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 X4 950 and Core i7-2630QM
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.
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 | — |
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 Core i7-2630QM supports 199% 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 — 66.7% 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 | 1600+39900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+209715100% | 32 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 16+100% |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X4 950 launched at $58 MSRP, while the Core i7-2630QM debuted at $378.
| Feature | Athlon X4 950 | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $58-85% | $378 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | — |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2011 |
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