Core i7-2620M vs Pentium Silver N5000

CPU

GPU

Core i7-2620M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011

Pentium Silver N5000

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2620M

2 / 4

2,424

0.0%

2,442

+0.7%

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 Pentium Silver N5000 is on rank 459, so the Pentium Silver N5000 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 Pentium Silver N5000

#144

Core i7-12650H

MSRP: $457|Avg: N/A

97%

#447

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

601%

#448

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

592%

#449

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

543%

#450

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

541%

#451

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

536%

#453

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

518%

#454

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

496%

#455

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

495%

#456

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

482%

#459

Pentium Silver N5000

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#472

Ryzen Embedded R1505G

MSRP: $80|Avg: $80

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Silver N5000 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2620M	Pentium Silver N5000
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Goldmont Plus (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2620M (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2620M	Pentium Silver N5000
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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.

Core i7-2620M Benchmark Check

Pentium Silver N5000 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2620M and Pentium Silver N5000

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.

Pentium Silver N5000

The Pentium Silver N5000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2017 (7 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,442 points. Launch price was $161.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2620M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Silver N5000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium Silver N5000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2620M versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver N5000 — a 23% clock advantage for the Core i7-2620M (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-2620M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Silver N5000 uses Goldmont Plus (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2620M scores 2,424 against the Pentium Silver N5000's 2,442 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium Silver N5000. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-2620M	Pentium Silver N5000
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+26%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+145%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	4 MB (total)+700%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Goldmont Plus (2017)
PassMark	2,424	2,442
Geekbench 6 Single	509	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,222	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2620M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Silver N5000 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2620M	Pentium Silver N5000
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1090
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2620M) / not specified (Pentium Silver N5000). The Core i7-2620M includes integrated graphics (HD 3000), while the Pentium Silver N5000 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2620M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-2620M rivals Core i5-2410M.