Core i7-620UM
VS
Pentium B970

Core i7-620UM vs Pentium B970

Intel

Core i7-620UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Pentium B970

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i7-620UM is positioned at rank 1228 and the Pentium B970 is on rank 1112, so the Pentium B970 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 i7-620UM

#1216
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
7485%
#1217
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
7375%
#1218
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
6770%
#1219
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
6740%
#1220
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
6678%
#1222
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
6449%
#1223
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
6184%
#1224
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
6173%
#1225
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
6008%
#1228
Core i7-620UM
MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A
100%
#1230
Celeron 570
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
96%
#1231
Core i7-820QM
MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A
85%
#1233
Core Duo T2700
MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A
72%
#1235
Pentium SU4100
MSRP: $289|Avg: $15
60%
#1236
Core Solo T1400
MSRP: $200|Avg: $5
55%
#1237
Core i7-940XM
MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A
53%
#1238
Core Solo T1350
MSRP: $200|Avg: $70
52%
#1240
Core Solo T1300
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
47%
#1241
Core Solo T1200
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
43%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium B970

#1100
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3357%
#1101
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3308%
#1102
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3037%
#1103
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3023%
#1104
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2995%
#1106
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2892%
#1107
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2773%
#1108
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2769%
#1109
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2695%
#1112
Pentium B970
MSRP: $125|Avg: $39
100%
#1113
Core i5-2410M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
99%
#1114
Pentium T2370
MSRP: $86|Avg: $10
99%
#1115
Pentium N3710
MSRP: $161|Avg: $50
99%
#1116
Core m3-7Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
98%
#1117
Pentium 977
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
98%
#1118
Core i7-2715QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $50
97%
#1119
VIA Nano U2250
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
97%
#1121
Core i5-560M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
96%
#1122
Pentium U5600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
96%
#1123
Core m5-6Y57
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1125
Core i7-610E
MSRP: $250|Avg: $40
95%
#1126
Core i5-5350U
MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A
94%
#1127
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Pentium B970 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-620UM in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i7-620UMPentium B970
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($278)
More affordable ($39)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Pentium B970 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 86% cheaper ($39 vs $278) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i7-620UMPentium B970
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+614%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($278)
More affordable ($39)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-620UM and Pentium B970

Intel

Core i7-620UM

The Core i7-620UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $278.

Intel

Pentium B970

The Pentium B970 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,093 points. Launch price was $125.

Processing Power

The Core i7-620UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B970's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core i7-620UM versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium B970 — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Pentium B970 (base: 1.06 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-620UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium B970 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-620UM scores 1,091 against the Pentium B970's 1,093 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium B970. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-620UM vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B970.

FeatureCore i7-620UMPentium B970
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.13 GHz
2.3 GHz+8%
Base Clock
1.06 GHz
2.3 GHz+117%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)+100%
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,091
1,093
Geekbench 6 Single
350
Geekbench 6 Multi
700
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-620UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium B970 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-620UMPentium B970
Socket
BGA1288
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-620UM) / not specified (Pentium B970). The Core i7-620UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium B970 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-620UM targets Ultra-Portable Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-620UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.

FeatureCore i7-620UMPentium B970
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Ultra-Portable Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-620UM launched at $278 MSRP, while the Pentium B970 debuted at $125.

FeatureCore i7-620UMPentium B970
MSRP
$278
$125-55%
Avg Price (30d)
$39
Release Date
2010
2012