CPU
GPU
Core i5-2300
Core i7-2657M
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 Core i5-2300 is positioned at rank 799 and the Core i7-2657M is on rank 268, so the Core i7-2657M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2300
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2657M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($17) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($17) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Core i5-2300 and Core i7-2657M
Core i5-2300
The Core i5-2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.
Core i7-2657M
The Core i7-2657M 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 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,491 points. Launch price was $317.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2657M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-2657M — a 13.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2300 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-2300 scores 3,475 against the Core i7-2657M's 3,491 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-2657M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 516 vs 535, a 3.6% lead for the Core i7-2657M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-2657M.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+15% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+75% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total)+50% | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,475 | 3,491 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 516 | 535+4% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,515 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2300 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-2657M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2300 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2657M).
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+300% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2300) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2657M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2300) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2657M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2657M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2657M rivals A6-3420M.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Ultrabook |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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