Core i7-2635QM
VS
Core i7-975

Core i7-2635QM vs Core i7-975

Intel

Core i7-2635QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core i7-975

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2009

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 Core i7-975 is on rank 1084, so the Core i7-975 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 Core i7-975

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
88305%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
83439%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
60584%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
18251%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
14457%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
12647%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
7244%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
7149%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
6509%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
6509%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
6436%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
6262%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
6175%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
6150%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
6094%
#1084
Core i7-975
MSRP: $999|Avg: $50
100%
#1085
Athlon XP 2600+
MSRP: $98|Avg: $10
98%
#1086
Core i7-965
MSRP: $1000|Avg: $40
97%
#1087
Athlon 64 FX-74
MSRP: $499|Avg: $50
94%
#1088
Athlon 64 2000+
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
93%
#1089
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
MSRP: $505|Avg: $15
93%
#1090
Core 2 Extreme QX9770
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399
93%
#1091
Athlon 64 X2 5400+
MSRP: $485|Avg: $78
93%
#1092
Celeron 2.30
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
92%
#1093
Phenom X4 9450e
MSRP: $450|Avg: $430
92%
#1094
Athlon 64 X2 3800+
MSRP: $354|Avg: $20
88%
#1095
Athlon 64 3000+
MSRP: $149|Avg: $10
86%
#1096
Athlon XP 3100+
MSRP: $150|Avg: $20
80%
#1097
Athlon 64 3300+
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
74%
#1098
Athlon 64 2800+
MSRP: $178|Avg: $15
67%
#1099
Athlon 64 3700+
MSRP: $272|Avg: $20
65%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-975 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-2635QM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i7-2635QMCore i7-975
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($378)
More affordable ($50)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i7-975 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 87% cheaper ($50 vs $378) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i7-2635QMCore i7-975
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+653%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($378)
More affordable ($50)

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 Core i7-975

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.

Intel

Core i7-975

The Core i7-975 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,527 points. Launch price was $476.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2635QM and Core i7-975 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2635QM versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-975 — a 21.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-975 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Core i7-2635QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-975 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2635QM scores 3,541 against the Core i7-975's 3,527 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-2635QM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2635QM vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-975.

FeatureCore i7-2635QMCore i7-975
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz
3.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock
2 GHz
3.33 GHz+67%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark
3,541
3,527
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2635QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-975 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-2635QMCore i7-975
Socket
FCBGA1224
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-2635QM) / not specified (Core i7-975). The Core i7-2635QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-975 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2635QM targets Mobile.

FeatureCore i7-2635QMCore i7-975
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Mobile
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-2635QM launched at $378 MSRP, while the Core i7-975 debuted at $999.

FeatureCore i7-2635QMCore i7-975
MSRP
$378-62%
$999
Avg Price (30d)
$50
Release Date
2011
2009