Core i7-2637M vs PRO A6-8550B

Intel

Core i7-2637M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

PRO A6-8550B

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i7-2637M vs PRO A6-8550B Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-2637M vs PRO A6-8550B FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-2637M vs PRO A6-8550B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-2637M

2011

Why buy it

  • +0.4% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while PRO A6-8550B needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A6-8550B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $289 MSRP, while PRO A6-8550B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

PRO A6-8550B

2015

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,882 vs 1,889).
  • 282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2637M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2637M better than PRO A6-8550B?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A6-8550B is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2637M pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2637M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-2637M is the better buy right now. Core i7-2637M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $289 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that PRO A6-8550B is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
PRO A6-8550B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-2637M vs PRO A6-8550B Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

AMD

PRO A6-8550B

The PRO A6-8550B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,882 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i7-2637M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the PRO A6-8550B's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-2637M versus 4 GHz on the PRO A6-8550B — a 35.3% clock advantage for the PRO A6-8550B (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-2637M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the PRO A6-8550B uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2637M scores 1,889 against the PRO A6-8550B's 1,882 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-2637M.

FeatureCore i7-2637MPRO A6-8550B
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz
4 GHz+43%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
3.5 GHz+106%
L3 Cache
4 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB
1024 kB+100%
Process
32 nm
28 nm-13%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Godaveri (2014−2016)
PassMark
1,889
1,882
Geekbench 6 Single
350
Geekbench 6 Multi
628
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2637M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the PRO A6-8550B uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-2637MPRO A6-8550B
Socket
BGA1023
FM2+
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
1333
Max RAM Capacity
8
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2637M) / not specified (PRO A6-8550B). The Core i7-2637M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the PRO A6-8550B requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i7-2637MPRO A6-8550B
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true