Core i7-2720QM vs Core i7-7660U

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 i7-2720QM vs Core i7-7660U 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 i7-2720QM vs Core i7-7660U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-2720QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i7-7660U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Core i7-7660U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2720QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,285 vs 2,600).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2720QM better than Core i7-7660U?

Yes. Core i7-2720QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 13.8% better Geekbench multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-2720QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.8% 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 i7-2720QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i7-2720QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-2720QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7660U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-2720QM vs Core i7-7660U Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-7660U

The Core i7-7660U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,059 points. Launch price was $415.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-7660U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-7660U — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-7660U (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-2720QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-7660U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2720QM scores 4,015 against the Core i7-7660U's 4,059 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-7660U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 700 vs 1,150, a 48.6% lead for the Core i7-7660U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,600 vs 2,285 (12.9% advantage for the Core i7-2720QM). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2720QM vs 4 MB on the Core i7-7660U.

Feature	Core i7-2720QM	Core i7-7660U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,015	4,059+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,759
Geekbench 6 Single	700	1,150+64%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,600+14%	2,285

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-7660U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2720QM versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-7660U — the Core i7-7660U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2720QM) vs 12 (Core i7-7660U) — the Core i7-2720QM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2720QM) and SoC (Core i7-7660U).

Feature	Core i7-2720QM	Core i7-7660U
Socket	PGA988	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2720QM) and Iris Plus 640 (Core i7-7660U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop, Core i7-7660U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX; Core i7-7660U rivals Core i5-8250U.

Feature	Core i7-2720QM	Core i7-7660U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Iris Plus 640
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Productivity