i7-2960XM vs i7-8650U

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-8650U
2017
4 cores / 8 threads, 15 Watt
3.94
+31.8%
Core i7-2960XM
2011
4 cores / 8 threads, 55 Watt
2.99

Core i7-8650U outperforms Core i7-2960XM by a substantial 32% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking14271635
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7
Power efficiency24.865.14
Architecture codenameKaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date21 August 2017 (7 years ago)4 September 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$409$1,096

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads88
Base clock speed1.9 GHz2.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4.2 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus typeOPIno data
Bus rate4 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier19no data
L1 cache64K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size123 mm2216 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,160 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)15 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift+no data
My WiFi++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
SIPP+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection++
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth38.397 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 620Intel HD Graphics 3000
Max video memory32 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHz1.3 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported32
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++
DVI+no data
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.4no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes1216

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.

i7-8650U 3.94
+31.8%
i7-2960XM 2.99

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.

i7-8650U 6260
+31.7%
i7-2960XM 4754

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-8650U 895
+52.2%
i7-2960XM 588

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-8650U 2710
+42.3%
i7-2960XM 1904

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.

i7-8650U 6629
+34.5%
i7-2960XM 4928

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.

i7-8650U 18635
+1.8%
i7-2960XM 18300

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.

i7-8650U 6936
+1.7%
i7-2960XM 6820

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.

i7-8650U 7
+7.7%
i7-2960XM 6

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.94 2.99
Integrated graphics card 2.67 0.66
Recency 21 August 2017 4 September 2011
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 15 Watt 55 Watt

i7-8650U has a 31.8% higher aggregate performance score, 304.5% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 5 years, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 266.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-8650U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-2960XM in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8650U and Core i7-2960XM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-8650U
Core i7-8650U
Intel Core i7-2960XM
Core i7-2960XM

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Community ratings

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