Core i5-2520M vs Core 2 Extreme QX6850

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Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Extreme QX6850
2007
4 cores / 4 threads, 130 Watt
1.44
+2.1%
Core i5-2520M
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.41

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 outperforms Core i5-2520M by a minimal 2% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21882221
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesCore 2 Extreme (Desktop)Intel Core i5
Power efficiency1.053.81
Architecture codenameKentsfield (2007)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release dateno data1 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$225

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speedno data2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rate1333 MHz4 × 5 GT/s
Multiplierno data25
L1 cache64K (per core)128 KB
L2 cache8 MB (shared)512 KB
L3 cache0 KB3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography65 nm32 nm
Die size2x 143 mm2149 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)64 °Cno data
Number of transistors582 million624 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
Socket775PPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® AVX
AES-NI-+
FMA-+
AVX-+
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR1, DDR2, DDR3DDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data16 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21.335 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 3000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.3 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Extreme (Desktop) QX6850 and Core i5-2520M.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 1.44
+2.1%
i5-2520M 1.41

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 2292
+2.5%
i5-2520M 2237

Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core

Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 3095
i5-2520M 4041
+30.5%

Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 10990
+24.7%
i5-2520M 8815

3DMark06 CPU

3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 4450
+25.7%
i5-2520M 3542

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 3
+18.5%
i5-2520M 3

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.44 1.41
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 65 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 35 Watt

Core 2 Extreme QX6850 has a 2.1% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores.

i5-2520M, on the other hand, has a 103.1% more advanced lithography process, and 271.4% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core 2 Extreme QX6850 and Core i5-2520M.

Note that Core 2 Extreme QX6850 is a desktop processor while Core i5-2520M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Extreme QX6850 and Core i5-2520M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
Core 2 Extreme QX6850
Intel Core i5-2520M
Core i5-2520M

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.4 52 votes

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3.7 543 votes

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Questions & comments

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