
Core i7-2635QM vs A10-7890K

Core i7-2635QM

A10-7890K
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2635QM
Performance Per Dollar A10-7890K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2635QM | A10-7890K |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Insight | Core i7-2635QM | A10-7890K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-2635QM and A10-7890K

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.

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.
| Feature | Core i7-2635QM | A10-7890K |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
| Feature | Core i7-2635QM | A10-7890K |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
| Feature | Core i7-2635QM | A10-7890K |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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