CPU
GPU
Core i7-2630QM
Athlon II X4 651
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 i7-2630QM is positioned at rank 1094 and the Athlon II X4 651 is on rank 505, so the Athlon II X4 651 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2630QM
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 651
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2630QM | Athlon II X4 651 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($92) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2630QM | Athlon II X4 651 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+315%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($92) |
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 i7-2630QM and Athlon II X4 651
Core i7-2630QM
The Core i7-2630QM 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,550 points. Launch price was $378.
Athlon II X4 651
The Athlon II X4 651 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,584 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2630QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Athlon II X4 651's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2630QM versus 3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 651 — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 651 (base: 2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-2630QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X4 651 uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2630QM scores 3,550 against the Athlon II X4 651's 3,584 — a 1% lead for the Athlon II X4 651. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2630QM vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 651.
| Feature | Core i7-2630QM | Athlon II X4 651 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3 GHz+50% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 3,550 | 3,584 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2630QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X4 651 uses FM1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-2630QM versus DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 651 — the Core i7-2630QM supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-2630QM supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2630QM) and AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 651).
| Feature | Core i7-2630QM | Athlon II X4 651 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FM1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | 16 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-2630QM) / not specified (Athlon II X4 651). The Core i7-2630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X4 651 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2630QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Core i7-2630QM | Athlon II X4 651 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2630QM launched at $378 MSRP, while the Athlon II X4 651 debuted at $92.
| Feature | Core i7-2630QM | Athlon II X4 651 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $378 | $92-76% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $92 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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