Core i5-7260U vs Core i7-2720QM

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 i7-2720QM 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 i7-2720QM: 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

✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2720QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,953 vs 4,015).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i7-2720QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.7% 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

❌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 i7-2720QM better than Core i5-7260U?

Yes. Core i7-2720QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-2720QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2720QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-2720QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-2720QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-7260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7260U vs Core i7-2720QM 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 i7-2720QM

The Core i7-2720QM 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2720QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-7260U versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM — a 3% 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 i7-2720QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7260U scores 3,953 against the Core i7-2720QM's 4,015 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i7-2720QM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,192 vs 700, a 52% lead for the Core i5-7260U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-7260U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2720QM.

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Core i7-2720QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 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	4,015+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,192+70%	700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7260U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-7260U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2720QM — the Core i5-7260U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-7260U) vs 16 (Core i7-2720QM) — the Core i7-2720QM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7260U) and HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2720QM).

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Core i7-2720QM
Socket	BGA1356	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 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, VT-d (Core i7-2720QM). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics 640 (Core i5-7260U) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2720QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7260U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7260U rivals A12-9720P; Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Core i7-2720QM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics 640	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Performance Laptop