Core i7-2715QE vs Core i7-4600M

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 i7-2715QE vs Core i7-4600M 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 i7-2715QE vs Core i7-4600M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-2715QE

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i7-4600M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-4600M

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2715QE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,204 vs 3,221).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2715QE better than Core i7-4600M?

Yes. Core i7-2715QE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-2715QE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2715QE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-2715QE is the better buy right now. Core i7-2715QE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-4600M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-2715QE vs Core i7-4600M Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-2715QE

The Core i7-2715QE 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 3,221 points. Launch price was $378.

Core i7-4600M

The Core i7-4600M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,204 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2715QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-4600M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2715QE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-2715QE versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4600M — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-4600M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-2715QE uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-4600M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2715QE scores 3,221 against the Core i7-4600M's 3,204 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-2715QE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 587 vs 1,025, a 54.3% lead for the Core i7-4600M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2715QE vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4600M.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-4600M
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.9 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,221	3,204
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	656
Geekbench 6 Single	587	1,025+75%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,132

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2715QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-4600M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i7-4600M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: QM67,HM65 (Core i7-2715QE) and Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i7-4600M).

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-4600M
Socket	BGA1023	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3L 1600 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2715QE) vs true (Core i7-4600M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2715QE) and Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i7-4600M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2715QE targets Embedded/Industrial, Core i7-4600M targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i7-2715QE rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Core i7-4600M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Embedded/Industrial	Mobile