Intel Core i7-2960XM vs AMD A4-4300M

VS
Performance
Core i7-2960XM498% better
8,09822% of 36,991
A4-4300M
1,3554% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 498% better performance than the A4-4300M for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53
A4-4300M
No data available

The Core i7-2960XM has 6% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: Intel Core i5-13400F.

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Summary

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About the Intel Core i7-2960XM CPU

The Intel Core i7-2960XM is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q3 2011 with a suggested retail price of $1,096. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i7-2960XM is compatible with Intel Socket G2 (988B) motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-2960XM supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-2960XM has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-2960XM features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-2960XM includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-2960XM has the 306th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 21.89% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 8,098 score and $1,096 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 7.39. This is the 208th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the AMD A4-4300M CPU

The AMD A4-4300M is an end-of-life 2-core (2-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q2 2012. It is part of AMD's A4 lineup, which is based on the Trinity microarchitecture. The A4-4300M is compatible with AMD Socket FS1r2 motherboards and is fabricated on GlobalFoundries's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Radeon HD 7420G integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The A4-4300M supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the A4-4300M has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 96 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1 MB, is larger but slower than the L1.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The A4-4300M features 2 total cores which can process 2 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.5 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.0 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The A4-4300M includes an integrated graphics solution called Radeon HD 7420G. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance

The A4-4300M has the 677th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 3.66% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
ManufacturerIntelAMD
SeriesCore i7 ExtremeA4
Market SegmentMobileMobile
Release DateQ3 2011Q2 2012
Launch Price (MSRP)$1,096--
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-2960XM498% better
8,09822% of 36,991
A4-4300M
1,3554% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 498% better performance than the A4-4300M for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-2960XM is ranked 306th with a score of 8,098, and the A4-4300M is ranked 677th with a score of 1,355.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53
A4-4300M
No data available

The Core i7-2960XM has 14% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

Core i7-2960XM's 7.39 performance per dollar ranks it 208th among the other benchmarked CPUs in our database.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-2960XM or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-8259U8,528.5+5%
Core i7-4900MQ8,490+5%
Core i7-2960XM8,098
Core i7-4810MQ8,012-1%
Core i7-4710MQ7,979-1%
A4-3300M1,396-83%
Pentium 3560Y1,365-83%
A4-4300M1,355-83%
Atom x5-Z85001,353-83%
Atom Z3745D1,345-83%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-2960XM orA4-4300M
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i7-5650U8.92+21%
Core i7-4940MX8.58+16%
Core i7-840QM8.25+12%
Core i7-5550U8.15+10%
Core i7-4930MX7.96+8%
Core i7-2960XM7.39
Core i7-820QM7.33-1%
Core i7-2920XM7.22-2%
Core m7-6Y756.82-8%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
8,098
(+497.64%)
1,355
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
--
93
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
--
60
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
1,963
(+403.33%)
390
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
603
(+104.41%)
295
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
4,754
(+375.4%)
1,000
CPU Mark Single-Thread
1,598
(+57.59%)
1,014
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
ManufacturerIntelAMD
FoundryIntelGlobalFoundries
Process Size32 nm32 nm
Transistors1,160 million1,303 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
SeriesCore i7 ExtremeA4
MicroarchitectureSandy BridgeTrinity
CodenameSandy BridgeTrinity
Memory SupportDDR3DDR3
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
Cores42
Threads82
Clock Speed2.7 GHz2.5 GHz
Turbo Clock3.7 GHz3.0 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier27.0x25.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesNo

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
L1 Cache64 KB96 KB
L2 Cache256 KB1 MB
L3 Cache8 MB--

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
SocketIntel Socket G2 (988B)AMD Socket FS1r2
PCI ExpressPCIe 2.0 x16PCIe 2.0
Thermal Design Power (TDP)55 W35 W
TJ Max100 °C--

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i7-2960XMA4-4300M
Integrated GraphicsIntel HD 3000Radeon HD 7420G
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, TXT, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NIMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AMD64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, CLMUL, CVT16, EVP, FMA4, FMA3, F16C, XOP, ABM, TBM, Turbo Core

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.