
Core i7-2617M vs Atom Z2760

Core i7-2617M

Atom Z2760
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 Atom Z2760 is on rank 529, 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 Atom Z2760
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2617M | Atom Z2760 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Cloverview (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2617M | Atom Z2760 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Atom Z2760

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.

Atom Z2760
The Atom Z2760 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Cloverview (2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FC-MB4760. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,697 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-2617M and Atom Z2760 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-2617M versus 1.8 GHz on the Atom Z2760 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-2617M (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i7-2617M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom Z2760 uses Cloverview (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2617M scores 1,687 against the Atom Z2760's 1,697 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom Z2760. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2617M vs 0 kB on the Atom Z2760.
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | Atom Z2760 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+44% | 1.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 1.8 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Cloverview (2012) |
| PassMark | 1,687 | 1,697 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 448 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2617M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom Z2760 uses FC-MB4760 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2617M versus LPDDR2-800 on the Atom Z2760 — the Core i7-2617M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-2617M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2617M) vs 0 (Atom Z2760) — 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 Intel BGA1264 (Atom Z2760).
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | Atom Z2760 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FC-MB4760 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333+50% | LPDDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+300% | 2 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2617M) / not specified (Atom Z2760). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2617M) and Intel GMA 3650 (Atom Z2760) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2617M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2617M rivals A6-3400M.
| Feature | Core i7-2617M | Atom Z2760 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | Intel GMA 3650 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Ultrabook | — |
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