Core i7-2820QM: Sandy Bridge Shines In Notebooks

Benchmark Results: Gaming Performance

Of the 15 mobile Sandy Bridge-based SKUs being announced, all of them offer HD Graphics 3000. With 12 execution units, the HD Graphics 3000 (GT2) on the mobile side enjoys the same architecture that we see on the desktop. The only difference is in clock speed. Some models run at up to 1300 MHz, others run at 1100 MHz, one does 950 MHz, and another tops out at 900 MHz. As you might guess, the final specification is largely dependent on TDP.

The "---9" (LV) and "---7" (ULV) Core i7 models, for the most part, are fairly similar, as the graphic cores run up to 950-1100 MHz, depending on the specific TDP. The major difference lies in the base graphics clock. The LV parts drop down to 500 MHz, while the ULV clocks in at 350 MHz.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 i7-2820QMi5-2500Ki5-2400i5-540Mi5-655K
ArchitectureSandy Bridge (Mobile)Sandy Bridge (Desktop)Sandy Bridge(Desktop)Arrandale(Mobile)Clarkdale(Desktop)
Execution Units121261212
GraphicsHD Graphics 3000 (GT2)HD Graphics 3000 (GT2)HD Graphics 2000 (GT1)HD Graphics(Ironlake)HD Graphics(Ironlake)
Base Graphics Clock650 MHz850 MHz850 MHz500 MHz733 MHz
Max. Graphics Clock1300 MHz1100 MHz1100 MHz766 MHz-

In our launch coverage, we used the Core i5-2500K to represent the desktop version of the HD Graphics 3000 and the i5-2400 for the HD Graphics 2000.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is the only game where we see the mobile version of the HD Graphics 3000 slide in ahead of the Core i5-2500K, a result of its faster max graphics frequency. Otherwise, the two run comparably in the other tests. The Core i5-2500K leads in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Left 4 Dead 2, and Far Cry 2, thanks to its higher processor-based Turbo Boost hitting a max of 3.7 GHz. The Core i7-2820QM trails a bit, as its maximum clock rate is 3.4 GHz.

  • cmartin011
    Second!!! really a thousand dollars for a mobile cpu
    Reply
  • one-shot
    What are the numbers for battery life for idle, surfing the web, and watching HD video? Several reputable sites have posted up numbers and I'm not seeing a chart that states these numbers, just lots of performance numbers to reiterate the obvious that it's more powerful and more efficient than Arrandale CPUs.
    Reply
  • acku
    This isn't a production notebook so battery life pertaining to this specific notebook is rather pointless in relation to other models. There are other factors at play: LCD panel, battery density, etc... However, platform power consumption numbers are posted on the second to last and last page.

    Andrew
    TomsHardware
    Reply
  • one-shot
    ackuThis isn't a production notebook so battery life pertaining to this specific notebook is rather pointless in relation to other models. There are other factors at play: LCD panel, battery density, etc... However, platform power consumption numbers are posted on the second to last and last page.AndrewTomsHardware
    That isn't what I was looking for. On Anandtech and Tech Report, a Compal notebook with a Core i7 2820QM achieved between six and seven hours of battery life when web browsing. I was looking for a comparison to help me make a more informed decision.

    Something like these is what I was referring to.

    http://www.anandtech.com/show/4084/intels-sandy-bridge-upheaval-in-the-mobile-landscape/9

    http://techreport.com/articles.x/20294/8

    Battery life is not pointless in any way. A pre-production model or not, it's relevant. If helps give us, the consumers, a better perspective to how laptops with these CPUs will perform with regards to battery life.

    I'm surprised it wasn't included.
    Reply
  • acku
    Fair point and I completely agree that battery life is not pointless. But on our point, we did go over power as far as browsing and Flash video if you read our conclusion.

    On an platform level, you can expect a new Sandy Bridge Core i7 to achieve roughly double the battery life of a notebook with an Arrandale Core i5.

    What I disliked about the previous benchmarks (including the ones you referenced) was that they automatically handicapped the benchmark against the Sandy Bridge mobile platform. Forget the whole DTR argument. A 17.3" panel will generally consume more power than a 15.6" (Look at the notebooks it was compared against.) When you isolate it down to the platform level then you can say all-else-being-equal (LCD, hard drive, wireless card, etc...), a notebook based on a Sandy Bridge mobile processor will ~ double battery life. Those other sites showed a roughly 33% improvement because of the other variables at play.

    Remember though that when you are talking about H.264 playback, this is all run through the hardware decoder. You are getting very little battery burn no matter what hardware you are running. What really matters then is the total platforms power consumption and the density of your battery (2.6AH vs 2.9AH cells).

    But back to your main point, if that is what you want to see on a DTR, then we will include it next time. Frankly, I'm more interested in the battery life of non-DTR mobile CPUs. "Normally" people don't care about battery life on a 17.3" mobile workstation.
    Reply
  • bearclaw99
    Damnnnnn...those are some amazing benches for a laptop CPU. Beats some of the desktop i7s and probably all of AMDs desktop chips
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    If AMD is paying attention, it needs to get its act in order. Brazos is one step up from being a pawn in the AMD Fusion chess set.

    AMD's Brazos platform is very impressive especially the E-350 series that's paired with an Radeon HD 6310 in gaming performance. Soo impressive in fact that the gaming performance rivals that of Core i5 661 in a lot of games and even goes toe to toe with the Core i5 2500k in some games like Call OF Duty Black Ops! As show here....

    http://www.anandtech.com/show/4134/the-brazos-review-amds-e350-supplants-ion-for-miniitx/5
    Reply
  • _Pez_
    amd is losing ground.. they are taking too long releasing new products.. Intel is expensive.. damm!
    Reply
  • hardcore_gamer
    I think bulldozer will be able to compete in terms of TDP because of the two integer units / core
    Reply
  • Vadim_79
    I just bought myself an Asus N53SV a couple of days ago, so far it's been great, it can handle any game i throw at it due to the combined intel 3000 and gf540m. Whenever i use the notebook for things like surfing the web it uses the intel 3000, so i get better battery life. I game with the notebook plugged in and set to maximum performance on a 42 inch plasma through hdmi. And it beats my desktop as far as framerates are concerned
    Reply