Core i7-2620M
VS
Core m3-7Y30

Core i7-2620M vs Core m3-7Y30

Intel

Core i7-2620M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core m3-7Y30

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2016

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 i7-2620M is positioned at rank 1162 and the Core m3-7Y30 is on rank 1116, so the Core m3-7Y30 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 i7-2620M

#1149
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
4185%
#1150
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
4124%
#1151
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3786%
#1152
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3769%
#1153
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3734%
#1155
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3606%
#1156
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
3458%
#1157
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
3452%
#1158
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
3359%
#1162
Core i7-2620M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
100%
#1163
Celeron N3010
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
98%
#1164
Core i7-3537U
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
97%
#1165
Core M-5Y10a
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
97%
#1166
Core M-5Y10c
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
97%
#1167
Core M-5Y31
MSRP: $281|Avg: $30
97%
#1169
Celeron 1047UE
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
96%
#1170
Core M-5Y70
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
96%
#1171
Celeron U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
95%
#1172
Celeron T1600
MSRP: $107|Avg: $15
95%
#1173
Pro A12-8800B
MSRP: $400|Avg: $40
95%
#1175
Core i7-2637M
MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A
93%
#1176
Core 2 Duo SL9600
MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core m3-7Y30

#1104
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3412%
#1105
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3362%
#1106
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3086%
#1107
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3072%
#1108
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3044%
#1110
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2940%
#1111
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2819%
#1112
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2814%
#1113
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2738%
#1116
Core m3-7Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
100%
#1117
Pentium 977
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
100%
#1118
Core i7-2715QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $50
99%
#1119
VIA Nano U2250
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
99%
#1121
Core i5-560M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
98%
#1122
Pentium U5600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
97%
#1123
Core m5-6Y57
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
97%
#1125
Core i7-610E
MSRP: $250|Avg: $40
96%
#1126
Core i5-5350U
MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A
96%
#1127
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
95%
#1128
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
95%
#1129
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
95%
#1130
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
95%
#1131
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core m3-7Y30 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-2620M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.2% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i7-2620MCore m3-7Y30
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($346)
More affordable ($281)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core m3-7Y30 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 19% cheaper ($281 vs $346) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i7-2620MCore m3-7Y30
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+23%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($346)
More affordable ($281)

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 i7-2620M and Core m3-7Y30

Intel

Core i7-2620M

The Core i7-2620M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,424 points. Launch price was $346.

Intel

Core m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2620M and Core m3-7Y30 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2620M versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 26.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-2620M (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i7-2620M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2620M scores 2,424 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-2620M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 509 vs 768, a 40.6% lead for the Core m3-7Y30 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,222 vs 1,481 (19.2% advantage for the Core m3-7Y30). Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i7-2620MCore m3-7Y30
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz+31%
2.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+170%
1 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB
4 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark
2,424
2,418
Cinebench R23 Multi
645
Geekbench 6 Single
509
768+51%
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,222
1,481+21%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2620M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2620M) vs 10 (Core m3-7Y30) — the Core i7-2620M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM67,HM67,QS67 (Core i7-2620M) and Kaby Lake-Y SoC (Core m3-7Y30).

FeatureCore i7-2620MCore m3-7Y30
Socket
PGA988
FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16+60%
10
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2620M) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). Both include integrated graphics HD 3000 (Core i7-2620M) and Intel HD Graphics 615 (Core m3-7Y30) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2620M targets Budget, Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable. Direct competitor: Core i7-2620M rivals Core i5-2410M.

FeatureCore i7-2620MCore m3-7Y30
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD 3000
Intel HD Graphics 615
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use
Budget
Ultra-portable
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-2620M launched at $346 MSRP, while the Core m3-7Y30 debuted at $281.

FeatureCore i7-2620MCore m3-7Y30
MSRP
$346
$281-19%
Avg Price (30d)
$281
Release Date
2011
2016