Core i7-2820QM vs Pentium Gold G6505

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 Gold G6505 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 Gold G6505: 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: +7.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 58W, a 13W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium Gold G6505 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $568 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G6505

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2820QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,371 vs 4,379).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌28.9% higher power demand at 58W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2820QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2820QM better than Pentium Gold G6505?

Yes. Core i7-2820QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-2820QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.4% 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 i7-2820QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-2820QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-2820QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $568 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Pentium Gold G6505 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Pentium Gold G6505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-2820QM vs Pentium Gold G6505 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Gold G6505

The Pentium Gold G6505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,371 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6505 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 4.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6505 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6505 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-2820QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2820QM scores 4,379 against the Pentium Gold G6505's 4,371 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-2820QM. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6505.

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	Pentium Gold G6505
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	4.2 GHz+83%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	4,379	4,371
Geekbench 6 Single	554	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,763	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	Pentium Gold G6505
Socket	PGA988	LGA1200
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 Gold G6505). The Core i7-2820QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Gold G6505 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.