
Core i7-8500Y vs Core i7-2630QM

Core i7-8500Y

Core i7-2630QM
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 i7-8500Y is positioned at rank 1035 and the Core i7-2630QM is on rank 1094, so the Core i7-8500Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8500Y
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2630QM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-8500Y | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-8500Y | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) |
Performance Check
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 i7-8500Y and Core i7-2630QM

Core i7-8500Y
The Core i7-8500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,590 points. Launch price was $393.

Core i7-2630QM
The Core i7-2630QM 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 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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. Passmark benchmark score: 3,550 points. Launch price was $378.
Processing Power
The Core i7-8500Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2630QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2630QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8500Y versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2630QM — a 36.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-8500Y (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-8500Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2630QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8500Y scores 3,590 against the Core i7-2630QM's 3,550 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-8500Y. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-8500Y vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2630QM.
| Feature | Core i7-8500Y | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+45% | 2.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 6 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,590+1% | 3,550 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-8500Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2630QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-8500Y | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1515 | 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 i7-8500Y) / true (Core i7-2630QM). The Core i7-2630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-8500Y requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2630QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Core i7-8500Y | Core i7-2630QM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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