Core i7-2715QE vs Core i7-950
Core i7-2715QE
Core i7-950
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 i7-2715QE is positioned at rank 1118 and the Core i7-950 is on rank 1067, so the Core i7-950 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2715QE
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-950
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2715QE | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2715QE | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+236%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 i7-2715QE and Core i7-950
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 i7-950
The Core i7-950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,250 points. Launch price was $290.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-2715QE and Core i7-950 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-2715QE versus 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-950 — a 10.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-950 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i7-2715QE uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-950 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2715QE scores 3,221 against the Core i7-950's 3,250 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-950. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2715QE vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-950.
| Feature | Core i7-2715QE | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 3.33 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.06 GHz+46% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Bloomfield (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,221 | 3,250 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 587 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2715QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-950 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-2715QE | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2715QE) / not specified (Core i7-950). The Core i7-2715QE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-950 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2715QE targets Embedded/Industrial. Direct competitor: Core i7-2715QE rivals Embedded R-Series.
| Feature | Core i7-2715QE | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Embedded/Industrial | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2715QE launched at $378 MSRP, while the Core i7-950 debuted at $562. At current prices ($50 vs $15), the Core i7-950 is $35 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2715QE delivers 64.4 pts/$ vs 216.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-950 — making the Core i7-950 the 108.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-2715QE | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $378-33% | $562 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $15-70% |
| Performance per Dollar | 64.4 | 216.7+236% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2009 |
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