Core i7-2635QM vs Athlon X4 950
Core i7-2635QM
Athlon X4 950
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 Athlon X4 950 is on rank 344, so the Athlon X4 950 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 Athlon X4 950
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2635QM | Athlon X4 950 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2635QM | Athlon X4 950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2445%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 Athlon X4 950
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.
Athlon X4 950
The Athlon X4 950 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. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 3,576 points. Launch price was $60.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2635QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Athlon X4 950's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2635QM versus 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 950 — a 26.9% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 950 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-2635QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon X4 950 uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2635QM scores 3,541 against the Athlon X4 950's 3,576 — a 1% lead for the Athlon X4 950. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2635QM vs 0 kB on the Athlon X4 950.
| Feature | Core i7-2635QM | Athlon X4 950 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 28 nm-13% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 3,541 | 3,576 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 656 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,637 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2635QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X4 950 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2635QM versus DDR4-2400 on the Athlon X4 950 — the Athlon X4 950 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 950 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2635QM) vs 8 (Athlon X4 950) — the Core i7-2635QM offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i7-2635QM | Athlon X4 950 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1224 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 64 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i7-2635QM) vs AMD-V (Athlon X4 950). The Core i7-2635QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon X4 950 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2635QM targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i7-2635QM | Athlon X4 950 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2635QM launched at $378 MSRP, while the Athlon X4 950 debuted at $58.
| Feature | Core i7-2635QM | Athlon X4 950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $378 | $58-85% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $15 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2017 |
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