Core i7-2635QM
VS
A10-7890K

Core i7-2635QM vs A10-7890K

Intel

Core i7-2635QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011
VS
AMD

A10-7890K

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2016

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 i7-2635QM is positioned at rank 1096 and the A10-7890K is on rank 364, so the A10-7890K 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 i7-2635QM

#1084
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3131%
#1085
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3085%
#1086
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2832%
#1087
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2820%
#1088
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2794%
#1090
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2698%
#1091
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2587%
#1092
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2583%
#1093
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2513%
#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
100%
#1099
Core i5-3337U
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
99%
#1100
Core i5-2450M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
99%
#1101
Core i5-7Y57
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
98%
#1102
Core i5-7Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $100
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
96%
#1108
Pentium Dual Core T4500
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
95%
#1109
Celeron B820
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
95%
#1110
Pentium B980
MSRP: $125|Avg: $35
94%
#1111
Celeron 867
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A10-7890K

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
5288%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
4996%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
3628%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
1093%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
866%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
757%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
434%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
428%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
390%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
390%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
385%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
375%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
370%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
368%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
365%
#319
Ryzen Embedded V1202B
MSRP: $100|Avg: $60
99%
#320
Core i3-10100
MSRP: $122|Avg: $146
99%
#321
Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE
MSRP: $311|Avg: $311
99%
#322
Celeron G6900
MSRP: $52|Avg: $77
98%
#323
Core i9-11900K
MSRP: $539|Avg: $435
97%
#324
Core i7-12700TE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $350
96%
#325
Core i9-12900E
MSRP: $500|Avg: $500
96%
#326
Celeron G4900T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $40
95%
#363
Celeron G3920
MSRP: $40|Avg: $30
100%
#364
A10-7890K
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#365
Ryzen 3 1200
MSRP: $109|Avg: $50
100%
#377
Ryzen 5 1600
MSRP: $219|Avg: $144
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The A10-7890K leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-2635QM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i7-2635QMA10-7890K
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($378)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i7-2635QMA10-7890K
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2635QM and A10-7890K

Intel

Core i7-2635QM

The Core i7-2635QM 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: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,541 points. Launch price was $378.

AMD

A10-7890K

The A10-7890K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,537 points. Launch price was $150.

Processing Power

The Core i7-2635QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the A10-7890K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2635QM versus 4.3 GHz on the A10-7890K — a 38.9% clock advantage for the A10-7890K (base: 2 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-2635QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A10-7890K uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2635QM scores 3,541 against the A10-7890K's 3,537 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-2635QM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2635QM vs 0 kB on the A10-7890K.

FeatureCore i7-2635QMA10-7890K
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz
4.3 GHz+48%
Base Clock
2 GHz
4 GHz+100%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
4096 kB+1500%
Process
32 nm
28 nm-13%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Godaveri (2014−2016)
PassMark
3,541
3,537
Geekbench 6 Single
600
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2635QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A10-7890K uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The A10-7890K supports up to 32 GB 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.

FeatureCore i7-2635QMA10-7890K
Socket
FCBGA1224
FM2+
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
32 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the A10-7890K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i7-2635QM) vs AMD-V (A10-7890K). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2635QM) and Radeon R7 (A10-7890K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2635QM targets Mobile, A10-7890K targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-7890K rivals Core i3-6100.

FeatureCore i7-2635QMA10-7890K
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Radeon R7
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
AMD-V
Target Use
Mobile
Budget