Core i7-2630QM vs PRO A10-9700

Core i7-2630QM vs PRO A10-9700 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-2630QM

4 / 8

3,550

0.0%

3,600

+1.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i7-2630QM vs PRO A10-9700 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-2630QM vs PRO A10-9700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-2630QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while PRO A10-9700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,550 vs 3,600).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while PRO A10-9700 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

PRO A10-9700

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2630QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2630QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2630QM better than PRO A10-9700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2630QM is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, PRO A10-9700 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, PRO A10-9700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-2630QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-2630QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that PRO A10-9700 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, PRO A10-9700 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

PRO A10-9700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-2630QM vs PRO A10-9700 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

PRO A10-9700

The PRO A10-9700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,600 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2630QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the PRO A10-9700's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2630QM versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A10-9700 — a 26.9% clock advantage for the PRO A10-9700 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-2630QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the PRO A10-9700 uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2630QM scores 3,550 against the PRO A10-9700's 3,600 — a 1.4% lead for the PRO A10-9700.

Feature	Core i7-2630QM	PRO A10-9700
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.8 GHz+31%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.5 GHz+75%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	32 nm	28 nm-13%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,550	3,600+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2630QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the PRO A10-9700 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2630QM	PRO A10-9700
Socket	PGA988	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2630QM) / not specified (PRO A10-9700). The Core i7-2630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the PRO A10-9700 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2630QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.