
Core i7-2620M

Core m3-7Y30
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2620M
Performance Per Dollar Core m3-7Y30
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2620M | Core 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
| Insight | Core i7-2620M | Core m3-7Y30 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+23%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($346) | ✅ More affordable ($281) |
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.

Counter-Strike 2

Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2620M and Core m3-7Y30

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.

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.
| Feature | Core i7-2620M | Core 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).
| Feature | Core i7-2620M | Core 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.
| Feature | Core i7-2620M | Core 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.
| Feature | Core i7-2620M | Core m3-7Y30 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $346 | $281-19% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $281 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2016 |
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