Core i7-2860QM vs Core i3-1115GRE

Core i7-2860QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2011

Core i3-1115GRE

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2860QM

4 / 8

4,597

+0.2%

4,588

0.0%

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 i7-2860QM is positioned at rank 68 and the Core i3-1115GRE is on rank 1009, so the Core i7-2860QM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2860QM

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

91%

#56

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

223%

#57

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

220%

#58

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

202%

#59

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

201%

#60

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

199%

#62

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

192%

#63

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

185%

#64

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

184%

#65

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

179%

#68

Core i7-2860QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#69

Core 2 Quad Q9100

MSRP: $14|Avg: $14

98%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

95%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1115GRE

#996

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#997

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#998

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#999

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1000

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1002

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1003

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1004

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1005

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1008

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1009

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1010

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1011

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1012

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1013

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1014

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1016

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1017

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1019

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1020

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1021

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1022

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-1115GRE (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, LPDDR4X, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-1115GRE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($480)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2860QM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-1115GRE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($480)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-2860QM Benchmark Check

Core i3-1115GRE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2860QM and Core i3-1115GRE

Core i7-2860QM

The Core i7-2860QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 4,597 points. Launch price was $568.

Core i3-1115GRE

The Core i3-1115GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 4,588 points. Launch price was $338.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2860QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-1115GRE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2860QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-2860QM versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115GRE — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115GRE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-2860QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-1115GRE uses Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2860QM scores 4,597 against the Core i3-1115GRE's 4,588 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-2860QM. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2860QM vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115GRE.

Feature	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-1115GRE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	32 nm	10 nm-69%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)
PassMark	4,597	4,588
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,175
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,233

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2860QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-1115GRE uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-2860QM versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1115GRE — the Core i7-2860QM supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-1115GRE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2860QM) vs 4 (Core i3-1115GRE) — the Core i7-2860QM offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2860QM) and SoC (Core i3-1115GRE).

Feature	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-1115GRE
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	1600+39900%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	32	64 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i3-1115GRE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-2860QM) vs Yes (Core i3-1115GRE). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2860QM) and Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3-1115GRE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2860QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.