CPU
GPU
Core i7-2617M
Athlon X2 QL-66
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 Athlon X2 QL-66 is on rank 1048, 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 Athlon X2 QL-66
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2617M | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Lion (2008−2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2617M | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
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 Athlon X2 QL-66
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.
Athlon X2 QL-66
The Athlon X2 QL-66 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Lion (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,695 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2617M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon X2 QL-66's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-2617M versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-66 — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-2617M. The Core i7-2617M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 uses Lion (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2617M scores 1,687 against the Athlon X2 QL-66's 1,695 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon X2 QL-66.
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+18% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1 MB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Lion (2008−2009) |
| PassMark | 1,687 | 1,695 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 448 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2617M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 uses S1g2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2617M versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 QL-66 — the Core i7-2617M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2617M) vs 0 (Athlon X2 QL-66) — the Core i7-2617M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2617M) and AMD S1 (Athlon X2 QL-66).
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | S1g2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333+50% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2617M) / not specified (Athlon X2 QL-66). The Core i7-2617M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2617M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2617M rivals A6-3400M.
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Ultrabook | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-2617M and Athlon X2 QL-66
