Core i7-2630QM vs Core i7-8500Y

CPU

GPU

Core i7-2630QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011

Core i7-8500Y

2 Cores4 Thrd5 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2630QM

4 / 8

3,550

0.0%

3,590

+1.1%

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 Core i7-8500Y is on rank 1035, so the Core i7-8500Y 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 i7-2630QM

#1082

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3125%

#1083

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3079%

#1084

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2826%

#1085

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2814%

#1086

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2788%

#1088

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2692%

#1089

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2581%

#1090

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2577%

#1091

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2508%

#1094

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

100%

#1096

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

100%

#1097

Celeron 877

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

100%

#1098

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $50

99%

#1099

Core i5-3337U

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1100

Core i5-2450M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

98%

#1101

Core i5-7Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $100

98%

#1102

Core i5-7Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

98%

#1104

Pentium 997

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

97%

#1105

Pentium A1018

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

96%

#1106

Core i5-2430M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

95%

#1108

Pentium Dual Core T4500

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

95%

#1109

Celeron B820

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8500Y

#1023

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2451%

#1024

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2415%

#1025

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2217%

#1026

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2207%

#1027

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2187%

#1029

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2112%

#1030

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2025%

#1031

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2022%

#1032

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1967%

#1035

Core i7-8500Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1037

Core i7-8665UE

MSRP: $409|Avg: $409

99%

#1038

Celeron T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#1039

Celeron Dual-Core T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $30

98%

#1042

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

97%

#1043

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

97%

#1044

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1045

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

96%

#1046

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1047

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

95%

#1048

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

94%

#1049

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

94%

#1050

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

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 Core i7-8500Y (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2630QM	Core i7-8500Y
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2630QM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2630QM	Core i7-8500Y
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)	✅ 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 i7-2630QM Benchmark Check

Core i7-8500Y Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2630QM and Core i7-8500Y

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.

Core i7-8500Y

The Core i7-8500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,590 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2630QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-8500Y offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2630QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2630QM versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8500Y — a 36.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-8500Y (base: 2 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-2630QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-8500Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2630QM scores 3,550 against the Core i7-8500Y's 3,590 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-8500Y. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2630QM vs 4 MB on the Core i7-8500Y.

Feature	Core i7-2630QM	Core i7-8500Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+45%
Base Clock	2 GHz+33%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	3,550	3,590+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2630QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-8500Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2630QM	Core i7-8500Y
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2630QM) / not specified (Core i7-8500Y). The Core i7-2630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-8500Y requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2630QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.