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Core i7-720QM vs Core 2 Quad Q9550


Description
The i7-720QM is based on Nehalem architecture while the Q9550 is based on Core.

Using the multithread performance as a reference, the i7-720QM gets a score of 38.8 k points while the Q9550 gets 49 k points.

Summarizing, the Q9550 is 1.3 times faster than the i7-720QM. To get a proper comparison between both models, take a look to the data shown below.

Specs
CPUID
106e5
1067a
Core
Clarksfield
Yorkfield
Architecture
Base frecuency
1.6 GHz
2.833 GHz
Boost frecuency
2.8 GHz
2.833 GHz
Socket
988-pin micro-FCPGA8
LGA 775
Cores/Threads
4/8
4/4
TDP
45 W
95 W
Cache L1 (d+i)
4x32+4x32 kB
128+128 kB
Cache L2
4x256 kB
12288 kB
Cache L3
6144 kB
0 kB
Date
September 2009
March 2008
Mean monothread perf.
13.13k points
17.29k points
Mean multithread perf.
38.78k points
48.98k points

Non-optimized benchmark
The benchmark in Mode 0 (FPU) measures cpu performance with non-optimized software. It uses the basic µinstructions from the i386 architecture with the i387 floating point unit. This mode is compatible with all CPUs so it's practical to compare very different CPUs
Monothread
i7-720QM
Q9550
Test#1 (Integers)
1.49k
2.6k (x1.74)
Test#2 (FP)
3.4k
6.67k (x1.96)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
1.95k
2.72k (x1.4)
Test#1 (Memory)
2.08k
4.43k (x2.13)
TOTAL
8.92k
16.42k (x1.84)

Multithread

i7-720QM

Q9550
Test#1 (Integers)
4.23k
9.92k (x2.34)
Test#2 (FP)
11.4k
25.37k (x2.22)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
7.17k
10.31k (x1.44)
Test#1 (Memory)
4.51k
3.37k (x0.75)
TOTAL
27.32k
48.96k (x1.79)

SSE3 optimized benchmark
The benchmark in mode I (SSE) is optimized for the use of SIMD instructions with 128 bits register and the SSE set up to version 3. Nearly every modern CPU has support for this mode.
Monothread
i7-720QM
Q9550
Test#1 (Integers)
5.49k
3.28k (x0.6)
Test#2 (FP)
3.55k
7.28k (x2.05)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
2.01k
2.83k (x1.41)
Test#1 (Memory)
2.09k
3.9k (x1.87)
TOTAL
13.13k
17.29k (x1.32)

Multithread

i7-720QM

Q9550
Test#1 (Integers)
15.06k
11.72k (x0.78)
Test#2 (FP)
12.15k
24.91k (x2.05)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
7.18k
9.77k (x1.36)
Test#1 (Memory)
4.39k
2.57k (x0.59)
TOTAL
38.78k
48.98k (x1.26)

Performance/W
i7-720QM
Q9550
Test#1 (Integers)
335 points/W
123 points/W
Test#2 (FP)
270 points/W
262 points/W
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
160 points/W
103 points/W
Test#1 (Memory)
98 points/W
27 points/W
TOTAL
862 points/W
516 points/W

Performance/GHz
i7-720QM
Q9550
Test#1 (Integers)
1962 points/GHz
1159 points/GHz
Test#2 (FP)
1267 points/GHz
2568 points/GHz
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
717 points/GHz
1001 points/GHz
Test#1 (Memory)
745 points/GHz
1375 points/GHz
TOTAL
4691 points/GHz
6103 points/GHz

Monothread performance graph
Monothread performance graphics gives the performance vs time. They are useful to measure the time it takes to the CPU to reach the maximum performance.

Usually, CPU's performance will be steady during these tests but if it has a slow frequency strategy, the first samples will show a lower score.


Test#1 (Integers) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#2 (FP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#3 (Generic, ZIP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#1 (Memory) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com

Multithread performance graph
Multithread graphs measure the performance against a heavy load during certain time.

If CPU's TDP doesn't limit the frequency and the machine is properly cooled, performance should remain steady vs time. Otherwise, the performance score will oscillate or decrease over time.


Test#1 (Integers) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#2 (FP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#3 (Generic, ZIP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#1 (Memory) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com

Hardlimit Benchmark Central - Ver. 3.11.4