Core i7-2637M vs Core i3-3130M

Core i7-2637M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2011

Core i3-3130M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2637M

2 / 4

1,889

0.0%

1,906

+0.9%

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 i7-2637M is positioned at rank 1176 and the Core i3-3130M is on rank 22, so the Core i3-3130M 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 i7-2637M

#1164

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4486%

#1165

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4420%

#1166

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4058%

#1167

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4040%

#1168

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4003%

#1170

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3865%

#1171

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3706%

#1172

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3700%

#1173

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3601%

#1176

Core i7-2637M

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

100%

#1177

Core 2 Duo SL9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

99%

#1178

Athlon PRO 3045B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $180

99%

#1179

Core 2 Duo T5600

MSRP: $241|Avg: N/A

99%

#1180

Pentium N3510

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

99%

#1181

Core i7-7Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $285

99%

#1183

Core i7-4500U

MSRP: $398|Avg: N/A

96%

#1185

Athlon Neo X2 L325

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1186

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

93%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

93%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

92%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

92%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3130M

#10

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

154%

#11

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

152%

#12

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

139%

#13

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

139%

#14

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

137%

#16

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

133%

#17

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

127%

#18

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

127%

#19

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

124%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

96%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

95%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

92%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

91%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

90%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

90%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

90%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

89%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-2637M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-3130M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.9% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-2637M	Core i3-3130M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($289)	✅ More affordable ($225)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-3130M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 22% cheaper ($225 vs $289) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-2637M	Core i3-3130M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+30%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($289)	✅ More affordable ($225)

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.

Core i7-2637M Benchmark Check

Core i3-3130M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2637M and Core i3-3130M

Core i7-2637M

The Core i7-2637M 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 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,889 points. Launch price was $289.

Core i3-3130M

The Core i3-3130M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,906 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2637M and Core i3-3130M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-2637M versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-3130M — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-2637M (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-2637M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3130M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2637M scores 1,889 against the Core i3-3130M's 1,906 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-3130M. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2637M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3130M.

Feature	Core i7-2637M	Core i3-3130M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.6 GHz+53%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,889	1,906
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	628	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2637M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3130M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-2637M versus 1600 on the Core i3-3130M — the Core i3-3130M supports 18.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3130M supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2637M) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i3-3130M).

Feature	Core i7-2637M	Core i3-3130M
Socket	BGA1023	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333	1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	8	32+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2637M) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3130M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-3130M rivals AMD A8-4500M.