Core i7-2657M vs Core i5-2300
Core i7-2657M
Core i5-2300
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 i7-2657M is positioned at rank 268 and the Core i5-2300 is on rank 799, so the Core i7-2657M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2657M
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2657M | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($17) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2657M | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($17) |
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 i7-2657M and Core i5-2300
Core i7-2657M
The Core i7-2657M 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 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 3,491 points. Launch price was $317.
Core i5-2300
The Core i5-2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2657M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-2657M versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 — a 13.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2300 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-2657M scores 3,491 against the Core i5-2300's 3,475 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-2657M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 535 vs 516, a 3.6% lead for the Core i7-2657M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2657M vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300.
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.1 GHz+15% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+75% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 6144 kB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,491 | 3,475 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 535+4% | 516 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,515 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2657M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2300 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2300 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2657M) and H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300).
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2657M) vs Yes (Core i5-2300). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2657M) and Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2300) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2657M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2657M rivals A6-3420M.
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Yes |
| Target Use | Ultrabook | — |
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