Core i7-2637M
VS
Core i5-560M

Core i7-2637M vs Core i5-560M

Intel

Core i7-2637M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core i5-560M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010

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 i7-2637M is positioned at rank 1176 and the Core i5-560M is on rank 1121, so the Core i5-560M 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 i5-560M

#1109
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3485%
#1110
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3433%
#1111
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3152%
#1112
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3138%
#1113
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3109%
#1115
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3002%
#1116
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2879%
#1117
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2874%
#1118
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2797%
#1121
Core i5-560M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
100%
#1122
Pentium U5600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
99%
#1123
Core m5-6Y57
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
99%
#1125
Core i7-610E
MSRP: $250|Avg: $40
98%
#1126
Core i5-5350U
MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A
98%
#1127
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
98%
#1128
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
98%
#1129
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
98%
#1130
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
97%
#1131
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
97%
#1132
Core m5-6Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
97%
#1133
Core i3-2330E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $10
96%
#1135
Core i5-4288U
MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A
92%
#1136
Core m3-6Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
92%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-560M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-2637M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.3% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i7-2637MCore i5-560M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior 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 (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-560M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 22% cheaper ($225 vs $289) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i7-2637MCore i5-560M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+29%)
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2637M and Core i5-560M

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i5-560M

The Core i5-560M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,894 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2637M and Core i5-560M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-2637M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-560M — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-560M (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i7-2637M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-560M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2637M scores 1,889 against the Core i5-560M's 1,894 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-560M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 450, a 25% lead for the Core i5-560M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 628 vs 950 (40.8% advantage for the Core i5-560M). L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2637M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-560M.

FeatureCore i7-2637MCore i5-560M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz
3.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
2.66 GHz+56%
L3 Cache
4 MB+33%
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,889
1,894
Geekbench 6 Single
350
450+29%
Geekbench 6 Multi
628
950+51%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2637M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-560M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-2637M versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-560M — the Core i7-2637M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2637M) and HM55,HM57,PM55,QM57 (Core i5-560M).

FeatureCore i7-2637MCore i5-560M
Socket
BGA1023
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
1333+44333%
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
8
8 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-2637M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-560M). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2637M) and Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Core i5-560M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-560M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-560M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.

FeatureCore i7-2637MCore i5-560M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-2637M launched at $289 MSRP, while the Core i5-560M debuted at $225.

FeatureCore i7-2637MCore i5-560M
MSRP
$289
$225-22%
Release Date
2011
2010