Core i7-2720QM vs Core i5-4590T
Core i7-2720QM
Core i5-4590T
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 i7-2720QM is positioned at rank 1062 and the Core i5-4590T is on rank 767, so the Core i5-4590T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2720QM
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4590T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2720QM | Core i5-4590T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($130) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2720QM | Core i5-4590T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+194%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($130) |
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 i7-2720QM and Core i5-4590T
Core i7-2720QM
The Core i7-2720QM 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.
Core i5-4590T
The Core i5-4590T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,064 points. Launch price was $192.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-4590T's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-4590T — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-2720QM (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-2720QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4590T uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2720QM scores 4,015 against the Core i5-4590T's 4,064 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-4590T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 700 vs 917, a 26.8% lead for the Core i5-4590T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Core i5-4590T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz+10% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz+10% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 4,015 | 4,064+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 700 | 917+31% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4590T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2720QM) and B85,Q85,H81,Q87,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4590T).
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Core i5-4590T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2720QM) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4590T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2720QM) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4590T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop, Core i5-4590T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX; Core i5-4590T rivals A8-7600.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Core i5-4590T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | HD Graphics 4600 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Performance Laptop | Low Power Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2720QM launched at $378 MSRP, while the Core i5-4590T debuted at $192.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Core i5-4590T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $378 | $192-49% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $130 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2014 |
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