Core i5-7260U vs Core i7-2675QM

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.

Core i5-7260U vs Core i7-2675QM 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.

Core i5-7260U vs Core i7-2675QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7260U

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2675QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i7-2675QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,913 vs 3,953).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i5-7260U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7260U better than Core i7-2675QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2675QM is ahead with a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7260U pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-2675QM also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7260U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-7260U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core i7-2675QM only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Core i5-7260U 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 2 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.

Core i5-7260U vs Core i7-2675QM Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7260U

The Core i5-7260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,953 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i7-2675QM

The Core i7-2675QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,913 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2675QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2675QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-7260U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-2675QM — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-7260U (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-7260U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2675QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7260U scores 3,953 against the Core i7-2675QM's 3,913 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-7260U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-7260U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2675QM.

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Core i7-2675QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,953+1%	3,913
Geekbench 6 Single	1,192	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7260U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2675QM uses FCBGA1224 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-7260U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2675QM — the Core i5-7260U supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7260U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-7260U) vs 16 (Core i7-2675QM) — the Core i7-2675QM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Core i7-2675QM
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1224
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7260U) vs VT-x (Core i7-2675QM). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics 640 (Core i5-7260U) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2675QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7260U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-2675QM targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-7260U rivals A12-9720P.

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Core i7-2675QM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics 640	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Mobile