Core i7-3635QM vs Core i7-2960XM

Core i7-3635QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012

Core i7-2960XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3635QM

4 / 8

4,728

+0.4%

4,709

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 i7-3635QM is positioned at rank 84 and the Core i7-2960XM is on rank 60, 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 i7-3635QM

#27

Core Ultra 7 265HX

MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A

92%

#72

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

248%

#73

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

245%

#74

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

225%

#75

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

224%

#76

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

221%

#78

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

214%

#79

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

205%

#80

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

205%

#81

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

199%

#84

Core i7-3635QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#88

Core 2 Duo T7500

MSRP: $316|Avg: $5

98%

#98

N150

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $128

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-2960XM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-3635QM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-3635QM	Core i7-2960XM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-3635QM	Core i7-2960XM
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 i7-3635QM Benchmark Check

Core i7-2960XM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3635QM and Core i7-2960XM

Core i7-3635QM

The Core i7-3635QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,728 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3635QM and Core i7-2960XM share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-3635QM versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-2960XM — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-2960XM (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-3635QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2960XM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3635QM scores 4,728 against the Core i7-2960XM's 4,709 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3635QM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3635QM vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2960XM.

Feature	Core i7-3635QM	Core i7-2960XM
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.7 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,728	4,709

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3635QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2960XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3635QM	Core i7-2960XM
Socket	FCBGA1224	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3635QM) / true (Core i7-2960XM). The Core i7-2960XM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-3635QM requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2960XM rivals Core i7-2820QM.