Intel Core i7-2720QM vs Intel Core i5-6600K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-2720QM or Intel Core i7-2720QM – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-2720QM features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-2720QM, you'll need a motherboard with a PGA 988 socket.
The Intel Core i5-6600K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2015 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-6600K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket.
Intel Core i 2000M Group Intel Core i 6000
2 Generation 6
Intel Core i7-2720QM Name Intel Core i5-6600K
Mobile Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-2720QM has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-2720QM is 2.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.3 GHz.
The Intel Core i5-6600K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-6600K is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.9 GHz.
None None 3.6 GHz
3.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.9 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
2.2 GHz Frequency 3.5 GHz
4 CPU Cores 4
No Overclocking Yes
Yes Hyperthreading No
4x Cores 4x
8 Threads 4
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-2720QM has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-2720QM uses the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which has 96 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i5-6600K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-6600K uses the Intel HD Graphics 530, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
1.3 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.15 GHz
32 nm Technology 14 nm
10.1 Direct X 12
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 32.0 GB
12 Execution units 24
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2015
Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 530
96 Shaders 192
0.65 GHz GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
6 Generation 9
-- Max. displays --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
No VP9 Decode
No VP8 Decode / Encode
Decode VC-1 Decode
No JPEG Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
No AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR4-2133, DDR3-1600
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 34.1 GB/s
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
32.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 45 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 91 W watts.
45 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 91 W
100 °C Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-2720QM is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-6600K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
32 nm Technology 14 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
-- Part Number --
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2015
295 $ Release price 280 $
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
6.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
PGA 988 Socket LGA 1151
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Sandy Bridge H Architecture Skylake S
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3985
3985
Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
1781
1781

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3965
3965
Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
2137
2137

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3631
3631
Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
2438
2438

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1621
1621
Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
1229
1229

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1359
1359
Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
584
584

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1041
1041
Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
623
623