Core i7-2820QM vs Pentium 6805

Intel

Core i7-2820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium 6805

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3 GHz2020
Similar parts
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Core i7-2820QM vs Pentium 6805 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-2820QM vs Pentium 6805 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 i7-2820QM vs Pentium 6805: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-2820QM

2011

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +16.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium 6805 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (4,379 vs 4,424).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 27.5 PassMark/$ ($568 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
  • 200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Pentium 6805

2020

Why buy it

  • +1% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $407 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
  • Delivers 256.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.5 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
  • Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2820QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2820QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 6805 better than Core i7-2820QM?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2820QM is ahead with a 16.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 6805 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-2820QM also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 6805 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium 6805 is the better buy right now. Pentium 6805 comes in $407 cheaper on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $568 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2820QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 256.4% better value on MSRP (27.5 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium 6805 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-2820QM vs Pentium 6805 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-2820QM

The Core i7-2820QM 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.

Intel

Pentium 6805

The Pentium 6805 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 4,424 points. Launch price was $161.

Processing Power

The Core i7-2820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium 6805 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM versus 3 GHz on the Pentium 6805 — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-2820QM (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-2820QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 6805 uses Ice Lake-Y (2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2820QM scores 4,379 against the Pentium 6805's 4,424 — a 1% lead for the Pentium 6805. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium 6805.

FeatureCore i7-2820QMPentium 6805
Cores / Threads
4 / 8+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz+13%
3 GHz
Base Clock
2.3 GHz+109%
1.1 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+100%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
10 nm-69%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Ice Lake-Y (2020)
PassMark
4,379
4,424+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
554
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,763
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 6805 uses FCBGA1526 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-2820QMPentium 6805
Socket
PGA988
FCBGA1526
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
1600
Max RAM Capacity
32
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2820QM) / not specified (Pentium 6805). The Core i7-2820QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium 6805 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

FeatureCore i7-2820QMPentium 6805
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-2820QM was priced at $568, while the Pentium 6805 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($568 vs $161), Pentium 6805 was $407 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2820QM delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 27.5 pts/$ for the Pentium 6805 — making the Pentium 6805 the 112.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-2820QMPentium 6805
MSRP
$568
$161-72%
Performance per Dollar
7.7
27.5+257%
Release Date
2011
2020

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