A4-6300 vs i7-2960XM

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1637	2535
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7	no data
Power efficiency	5.14	1.31
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Richland (2013−2014)
Release date	4 September 2011 (13 years ago)	1 June 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,096	no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300 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 cores	4 (Quad-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	8	2
Base clock speed	2.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz
Bus rate	5 GT/s	no data
L1 cache	64K (per core)	96 KB
L2 cache	256K (per core)	1024 KB
L3 cache	8 MB (shared)	0 KB
Chip lithography	32 nm	32 nm
Die size	216 mm2	246 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	70 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	70 °C
Number of transistors	1,160 million	1,178 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCPGA988	FM2
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® AVX	no data
AES-NI	+	+
FMA	-	FMA4
AVX	+	AVX
PowerNow	-	+
PowerGating	-	+
VirusProtect	-	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	no data
My WiFi	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	no data
Idle States	+	no data
Thermal Monitoring	+	-
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
FDI	+	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data

Security technologies

Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	no data
EDB	+	no data
Identity Protection	+	-
Anti-Theft	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300 are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	+
VT-d	+	no data
VT-x	+	no data
EPT	+	no data
IOMMU 2.0	-	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3-1600
Maximum memory size	32 GB	no data
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 3000	AMD Radeon™ HD 8370D
Number of pipelines	no data	128
Quick Sync Video	+	-
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Enduro	-	+
Switchable graphics	-	+
UVD	-	+
VCE	-	+
Graphics max frequency	1.3 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	2	no data
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	+
HDMI	+	+
SDVO	+	no data
CRT	+	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX

no data

DirectX® 11

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	16	no data

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.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	2.99	0.90
Recency	4 September 2011	1 June 2013
Physical cores	4	2
Threads	8	2
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	65 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2960XM and A4-6300, 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.

---