Core i7-975 vs Core i7-2630QM

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.

Core i7-975 vs Core i7-2630QM FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-975 vs Core i7-2630QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-975

2009

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,527 vs 3,550).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.5 vs 9.4 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2630QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-2630QM

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $621 less on MSRP ($378 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 166.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.4 vs 3.5 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2630QM better than Core i7-975?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-975 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2630QM pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-975 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2630QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-2630QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-2630QM comes in $621 cheaper on MSRP at $378 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-975 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 166.0% better value on MSRP (9.4 vs 3.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-2630QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-975 vs Core i7-2630QM Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-975

The Core i7-975 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,527 points. Launch price was $476.

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-975 and Core i7-2630QM share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-975 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2630QM — a 21.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-975 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-975 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-2630QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-975 scores 3,527 against the Core i7-2630QM's 3,550 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-2630QM. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-975 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2630QM.

Feature	Core i7-975	Core i7-2630QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+24%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+67%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,527	3,550

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-975 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-2630QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-975	Core i7-2630QM
Socket	LGA1366	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-975) / true (Core i7-2630QM). The Core i7-2630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-975 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2630QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Core i7-975	Core i7-2630QM
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-975 was priced at $999, while the Core i7-2630QM came in at $378. On launch pricing ($999 vs $378), Core i7-2630QM was $621 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-975 delivers 3.5 pts/$ vs 9.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-2630QM — making the Core i7-2630QM the 90.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-975	Core i7-2630QM
MSRP	$999	$378-62%
Performance per Dollar	3.5	9.4+169%
Release Date	2009	2011

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