CPU
GPU
Core i7-2617M
A6-5200
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 i7-2617M is positioned at rank 287 and the A6-5200 is on rank 736, so the Core i7-2617M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2617M
Performance Per Dollar A6-5200
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2617M | A6-5200 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Kabini (2013−2014) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2617M | A6-5200 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i7-2617M and A6-5200
Core i7-2617M
The Core i7-2617M 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 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,687 points. Launch price was $100.
A6-5200
The A6-5200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,672 points. Launch price was $70.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2617M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A6-5200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A6-5200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-2617M versus 2 GHz on the A6-5200 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2617M. The Core i7-2617M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A6-5200 uses Kabini (2013−2014) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2617M scores 1,687 against the A6-5200's 1,672 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-2617M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 448 vs 215, a 70.3% lead for the Core i7-2617M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2617M vs 0 kB on the A6-5200.
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | A6-5200 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+30% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 2048 kB+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 28 nm-13% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Kabini (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 1,687 | 1,672 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 448+108% | 215 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2617M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A6-5200 uses FT3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-2617M) vs 1 (A6-5200). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2617M) vs 8 (A6-5200) — the Core i7-2617M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | A6-5200 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FT3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2617M) vs AMD-V (A6-5200). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2617M) and Radeon HD 8400 (A6-5200) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2617M targets Ultrabook, A6-5200 targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2617M rivals A6-3400M; A6-5200 rivals Pentium N3510.
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | A6-5200 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | Radeon HD 8400 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Ultrabook | Entry Laptop |
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