Intel Core i7-720QM vs Intel Core i7-820QM: comparison

Comparison of Intel Core i7-720QM and Intel Core i7-820QM: key differences and a full specification table.

Key differences

Intel Core i7-820QM has a higher base clock (1.73 GHz vs 1.6 GHz), a higher maximum clock (3.06 GHz vs 2.8 GHz) and a larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Both processors match on: core count (4), thread count (8), TDP (45 W), process node (45 nm), maximum memory size (8 GB), memory channels (2), PCIe version (2).

These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.

Key specifications

ParameterIntel Core i7-720QMIntel Core i7-820QM
Cores / threads 4 / 8 4 / 8
Max boost clock 2.8 GHz 3.06 GHz
L3 cache 6 MB 8 MB
TDP 45 W 45 W
Process 45 nm 45 nm

Full specification table

Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.

Parameter Intel Core i7-720QM Intel Core i7-820QM
General
Model i7-720QM i7-820QM
Codename Clarksfield Clarksfield
Segment Mobile Mobile
Product line Legacy Intel Core Processors Legacy Intel Core Processors
Process 45 nm 45 nm
Launch date Q3 2009 Q3 2009
Status Discontinued Discontinued
Servicing status End of Servicing Updates End of Servicing Updates
Embedded options available No No
CPU
Cores 4 4
Threads 8 8
Multithreading (SMT/HT) Yes Yes
Base clock 1.6 GHz 1.73 GHz
Max boost clock 2.8 GHz 3.06 GHz
L3 cache 6 MB 8 MB
Bus speed 2.5 GT/s 2.5 GT/s
TDP 45 W 45 W
Turbo Boost Yes (1) Yes (1)
64-bit support Yes Yes
Instruction set width 64 bit 64 bit
Instruction set extensions SSE4.2 SSE4.2
Memory
Max memory size 8 GB 8 GB
Memory types DDR3 DDR3
Memory channels 2 2
Max memory bandwidth 21 GB/s 21 GB/s
ECC memory supported No No
Physical address extensions 36-bit 36-bit
I/O and interfaces
PCI Express revision 2 2
PCI Express lanes 16 16
PCI Express configurations 1x16, 2x8 1x16, 2x8
Package and thermal
Sockets supported PGA988 PGA988
Max CPU configuration 1 1
Package size 37.5mm x 37.5mm 37.5mm x 37.5mm
TJUNCTION 100 °C 100 °C
Die size 296 mm² 296 mm²
Transistors (millions) 774 million 774 million
Security and virtualization
Virtualization (VT-x / AMD-V) Yes Yes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d) Yes Yes
Extended Page Tables (EPT) Yes Yes
AES-NI No No
Execute Disable Bit Yes Yes
vPro Eligibility Intel vPro Platform Intel vPro Platform
Technologies
Enhanced SpeedStep Yes Yes
Idle States Yes Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies Yes Yes

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