Core i7-2617M
VS
Atom Z2760

Core i7-2617M vs Atom Z2760

Intel

Core i7-2617M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Atom Z2760

2 Cores4 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2012

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2617M

#82
Core i7-11700B
MSRP: $323|Avg: $311
99%
#83
Core i7-13700HX
MSRP: $485|Avg: N/A
98%
#86
Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
MSRP: $500|Avg: $500
97%
#274
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
435%
#275
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
428%
#276
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
393%
#277
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
392%
#278
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
388%
#280
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
375%
#281
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
359%
#282
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
359%
#283
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
349%
#287
Core i7-2617M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom Z2760

#167
Core Ultra 7 258V
MSRP: $450|Avg: $400
99%
#169
Core i7-1280P
MSRP: $482|Avg: $482
98%
#517
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
691%
#518
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
681%
#519
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
626%
#520
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
623%
#521
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
617%
#523
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
596%
#524
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
571%
#525
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
570%
#526
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
555%
#529
Atom Z2760
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-2617M leads in gaming performance. However, the Atom Z2760 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i7-2617MAtom 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

InsightCore i7-2617MAtom Z2760
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

FeatureCore i7-2617MAtom 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).

FeatureCore i7-2617MAtom 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.

FeatureCore i7-2617MAtom 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