Intel Core i7-2677M Vs Core i5-2520M
The Intel’s Core i7-2677M and the Core i5-2520M serve difference market segments.
– In terms of the performance the core i5-2520M is better than the Core i7-2667M ( See the two tables below).
– The Core i7-2667M is priced higher than the core i5-2520M ( $317 Vs $225). We will explain it, wait for a minute.
– The Core i7-2667M is a low power processor with only 17 Watts TDP rating ( i5-2520M is 35 Watts).
To Acheive the low power intel need to substantially reduce the Core voltage to the processors. When it attempts to reduce the core voltage the maximum achievable frequency also reduces. Intel is able to get only very few processors from the bin that can satisfy the power and the frequency equation. Hence the price determination.
The Core i7-2677M is found is thing and light notebooks ( Many of the Apple’s MAC have them). You will also find them more expensive. If you do not mind a bit heavier and bulky ( because of the larger heatsink, fan requirement), you may do well with the core i5-2520M or other regular mobile processor.
Table : Core i7-2677M Vs Core i5-2520M Feature Differences
| Feature | Core i7-2677M | Core i5-2520M |
| Core Frequency | 1.8 GHz | 2.50 GHz |
| No. Of Cores | 2 (4 Hyperthreads) | 2 (4 Hyperthreads) |
| Cache Organization | 4 MB L3 Cache | 3 MB L3 Smart Cache |
| Turbo Frequency | 2.90 GHz | 3.20 GHz |
| TDP Rating | 17 Watts | 35 Watts |
| 64 Bit Support | Y | Y |
| Lithography | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Integrated Memory Controller | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Integrated Graphics | HD 3000, Base 350 MHz, Turbo 1.20 GHz | Yes, Base 650 MHz, Turbo 1.30 GHz |
Table : Core i7-2677M Vs Core i5-2520M Benchmarking Comparison
| Benchmarks | Core i7-2677M | Core i5-2520M |
| PassMark Score |
3187 | 3665 |
| Super Pi 2M (Lower in better) |
32 seconds | 29 seconds |
| 3D Mark 06 CPU |
2730 | 3430 |
| Windows 7 Experience Score |
6.9 | 7.1 |
Some more details of Core i7-2677M
The Core i7-2677 is alow power variant of the Sandy Bridge processor which is able to achieve lower 17 Watts rating by keeping its base clock low at 1.8 GHz. At the same time it keep the instant CPU power available for demanding applications by having a high 2.70 GHz ( Single thread) turbo boost frequency. The Integrated Graphics, HD 3000 is also kept at a lower Base clock 350 MHz. You should be able to get longer battery life with Core i7-2677, without sacrificing real life computing performance.
Some more details of Core i5-2520M
The core i5-25200M is a relatively fast processor belonging to the 2nd generation Intel Core i5 processor. The most characteristic improvement as compared to the 1st generation Intel Sandy Bridge processors is in the area of Integrated graphics powered by the Intel HD Graphics 3000 core. Integrated graphics is a part of the silicon and not a separate discrete component or a card. The Integrated graphics and the processor cores are all in one die unlike the earlier 1st generation processors, in which the processor and the integrated graphics were on separate die. The base frequency of the graphics runs at 650 MHz that can extend to 1.20 GHz depending upon the demand. The new Turbo boost 2.0 in the core i5-2520M significantly improves the performance of the processor. Communication with the chipset is using fast differential DMI Bus.
