Core i7-2960XM vs N250

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 i7-2960XM is positioned at rank 60 and the N250 is on rank 133, so the Core i7-2960XM 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 i7-2960XM

#13

Ryzen 3 210

MSRP: $99|Avg: $99

99%

#14

Ryzen 5 PRO 230

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

98%

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

93%

#48

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

218%

#49

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

215%

#50

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

197%

#51

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

196%

#52

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

195%

#54

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

188%

#55

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

180%

#56

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

180%

#57

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

175%

#60

Core i7-2960XM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#65

Core i5-3320M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#66

Core i7-4510U

MSRP: $393|Avg: N/A

98%

#69

Core 2 Quad Q9100

MSRP: $14|Avg: $14

96%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar N250

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

97%

#121

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

307%

#122

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

303%

#123

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

278%

#124

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

277%

#125

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

274%

#127

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

265%

#128

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

254%

#129

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

254%

#130

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

247%

#133

N250

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#137

N200

MSRP: $193|Avg: N/A

99%

#138

Core 2 Duo SP9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

99%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

98%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

96%

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 N250 (2025) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2960XM	N250
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2960XM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2960XM	N250
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i7-2960XM Benchmark Check

N250 Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2960XM and N250

Core i7-2960XM

The Core i7-2960XM 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,709 points. Launch price was $1,096.

N250

The N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 4,773 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2960XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the N250's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-2960XM versus 3.8 GHz on the N250 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the N250. The Core i7-2960XM is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-2960XM scores 4,709 against the N250's 4,773 — a 1.3% lead for the N250. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2960XM vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N250.

Feature	Core i7-2960XM	N250
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	—
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	—
PassMark	4,709	4,773+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2960XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2960XM	N250
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2960XM) / not specified (N250). The Core i7-2960XM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2960XM rivals Core i7-2820QM.