Intel Core i7 Mobile i7-720QM Mobile processor - BY80607002907AH / BX80607I7720QM
Specifications
Core i7-720QM was one of the first two mobile microprocessors branded "Core i7 Mobile". The processor is based on 45nm Nehalem micro-architecture, and it was launched 10 months after the first desktop Nehalem CPUs with Bloomfield core. New major features of this microprocessor, and Nehalem micro-architecture too, are integrated memory controller, used for memory access, and on-chip Direct Media Interface (DMI) used for communications with peripheral devices. These features radically differ from Core 2 Quad processors that used Front Side Bus to interface with both memory and peripheral devices. In addition to the memory controller and DMI, the i7-720QM has on the same die 4 microprocessor cores and shared 6 MB level 3 cache. Each core in this mobile CPU has 64 very fast, but small, level 1 cache, and slower and larger 256 KB level 2 cache. The L3 cache on the i7-720QM processor is inclusive, that is it stores data from all cores, which simplifies searching for data previously loaded into the cache.
Core i7-720QM Mobile microprocessor runs at 1.6 GHz, i.e. at lower frequency than the Core 2 Quad Q9000 / Q9100 CPUs, but it doesn't mean that it's slower. Besides performance enhancements that are part of Nehalem micro-architecture, like enhanced branch prediction or second TLB buffer, the processor includes two technologies that improve its performance under certain conditions. Turbo Boost technology increases frequency of all active cores when additional processing power is required, and the CPU operates within its Thermal Design Power (TDP) and maximum temperature limits. The boost depends on how many CPU cores are active - the more cores are idle, the faster remaining cores can be clocked. When 3 or 4 cores are operational the Core i7-720QM may run at 1.73 GHz. When two cores are active, the CPU frequency may be boosted up to 2.4 GHz. The frequency can be bumped even higher, to 2.8 GHz, when only one core is working. Another performance enhancing feature is HyperThreading technology. This feature allows each core to run two threads at once. Although quad-core Core i7-720QM can execute 8 different threads, or tasks, at once, it is not the same as having 8 cores. Hyper-Threading (HT) adds circuitry to each core, which allows the core to run two threads at once, but most parts of the cores, such as execution units and caches, are shared between the threads. As a result, one core with HyperThreading performs faster than one core without the feature, but much slower than two cores. In some rare tasks the HT can improve performance as much as 50%, however in majority of tasks the HT will provide less than 20% performance boost.
Other i7-720QM CPU features worth mentioning are:
Core i7-720QM Mobile microprocessor runs at 1.6 GHz, i.e. at lower frequency than the Core 2 Quad Q9000 / Q9100 CPUs, but it doesn't mean that it's slower. Besides performance enhancements that are part of Nehalem micro-architecture, like enhanced branch prediction or second TLB buffer, the processor includes two technologies that improve its performance under certain conditions. Turbo Boost technology increases frequency of all active cores when additional processing power is required, and the CPU operates within its Thermal Design Power (TDP) and maximum temperature limits. The boost depends on how many CPU cores are active - the more cores are idle, the faster remaining cores can be clocked. When 3 or 4 cores are operational the Core i7-720QM may run at 1.73 GHz. When two cores are active, the CPU frequency may be boosted up to 2.4 GHz. The frequency can be bumped even higher, to 2.8 GHz, when only one core is working. Another performance enhancing feature is HyperThreading technology. This feature allows each core to run two threads at once. Although quad-core Core i7-720QM can execute 8 different threads, or tasks, at once, it is not the same as having 8 cores. Hyper-Threading (HT) adds circuitry to each core, which allows the core to run two threads at once, but most parts of the cores, such as execution units and caches, are shared between the threads. As a result, one core with HyperThreading performs faster than one core without the feature, but much slower than two cores. In some rare tasks the HT can improve performance as much as 50%, however in majority of tasks the HT will provide less than 20% performance boost.
Other i7-720QM CPU features worth mentioning are:
- 64-bit instructions that allow the CPU to run 64-bit operating system and 64-bit applications. Processor has slightly higher performance in 64-bit mode in comparison with 32-bit mode.
- SIMD instructions up to SSE4, that allow each core to process multiple data values at once. These instructions can speed up execution of tasks that deal with specific types of data - video, games, communications, etc.
- Virtualization technology is used to run an operating system or an application in a virtual environment.
This core i7-720QM supports a few per-thread, per-core and per-package low-power states. Also, the processor features Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology (EIST). This technology reduces CPU power dissipation by slowing down the processor and reducing core voltage in situations when maximum processing power is not required. Under normal conditions this processor may dissipate on average up to 45 Watt, and with EIST on the CPU dissipates no more than 35 Watt. Power consumption can be dropped to even lower levels when not all cores are utilized, as the idle cores can be dynamically "turned off" until they are needed.
Intel Core i7-720QM is packaged into 988-pin micro-PGA package, which has about 7% bigger height and width, and 15% bigger package area than the package used by Core 2 Quad mobile CPUs. Like on socket M and socket P microprocessors, the 988-pin package doesn't have integrated heatsink. The package fits socket 988.
Tools
Intel Core i7-720QM specifications
| General information | |||||||||||||
| Type | CPU / Microprocessor | ||||||||||||
| Market segment | Mobile | ||||||||||||
| Family | Intel Core i7 Mobile | ||||||||||||
| Model number ? | i7-720QM | ||||||||||||
| CPU part numbers | BY80607002907AH is an OEM/tray microprocessor BX80607I7720QM is a boxed microprocessor | ||||||||||||
| Frequency ? | 1600 MHz | ||||||||||||
| Turbo frequency | 2800 MHz (1 core) 2400 MHz (2 cores) 1733 MHz (3 or 4 cores) | ||||||||||||
| Low power frequency | 933 MHz | ||||||||||||
| Bus speed ? | 2.5 GT/s DMI | ||||||||||||
| Clock multiplier ? | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Package | 988-pin micro-FCPGA8 (rPGA988A) | ||||||||||||
| Socket | Socket G1 / rPGA988A | ||||||||||||
| Size | 1.48" x 1.48" / 3.75cm x 3.75cm (CPU) | ||||||||||||
| Introduction date | Sep 23, 2009 | ||||||||||||
| Price at introduction | $364 | ||||||||||||
| S-spec numbers | |||||||||||||
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| Architecture / Microarchitecture | |||||||||||||
| Microarchitecture | Nehalem (Nehalem) | ||||||||||||
| Platform | Calpella | ||||||||||||
| Processor core ? | Clarksfield | ||||||||||||
| Core stepping ? | B1 (Q3BA, SLBLY) | ||||||||||||
| CPUID | 106E5 (Q3BA, SLBLY) | ||||||||||||
| Manufacturing process | 0.045 micron 774 million transistors | ||||||||||||
| Die size | 296mm2 | ||||||||||||
| Data width | 64 bit | ||||||||||||
| The number of cores | 4 | ||||||||||||
| The number of threads | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Floating Point Unit | Integrated | ||||||||||||
| Level 1 cache size ? | 4 x 32 KB instruction caches 4 x 32 KB data caches | ||||||||||||
| Level 2 cache size ? | 4 x 256 KB | ||||||||||||
| Level 3 cache size | 6 MB | ||||||||||||
| Multiprocessing | Not supported | ||||||||||||
| Features |
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| Low power features |
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| Integrated peripherals / components | |||||||||||||
| Memory controller |
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| Other peripherals |
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| Electrical / Thermal parameters | |||||||||||||
| V core ? | 0.75V - 1.4V | ||||||||||||
| Minimum/Maximum operating temperature ? | 0°C - 100°C | ||||||||||||
| Minimum/Maximum power dissipation ? | 2.6 Watt (Package C6 state) / 100.38 Watt (peak) 2.6 Watt (Package C6 state) / 79.66 Watt (sustained) | ||||||||||||
| Thermal Design Power ? | 45 Watt | ||||||||||||
| Notes on Intel BY80607002907AH | |||||||||||||
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CPUs, related to Intel Core i7-720QM
| Model | Cores / Threads |
Freq. | Turbo freq. |
L3 cache |
TDP | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 Mobile family, Socket G1 | ||||||
| Core i7-620M (PGA988) | 2 / 4 | 2.66 GHz | 3.33 GHz | 4 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-640M (PGA988) | 2 / 4 | 2.8 GHz | 3.46 GHz | 4 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-720QM | 4 / 8 | 1.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz | 6 MB | 45 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-740QM | 4 / 8 | 1.73 GHz | 2.93 GHz | 6 MB | 45 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-820QM | 4 / 8 | 1.73 GHz | 3.06 GHz | 8 MB | 45 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-840QM | 4 / 8 | 1.86 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 8 MB | 45 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Intel Core i7 Mobile family, Nehalem micro-architecture, Other sockets | ||||||
| Core i7-640UM | 2 / 4 | 1.2 GHz | 2.26 GHz | 4 MB | 18 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-660UM | 2 / 4 | 1.33 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 4 MB | 18 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core I7-680UM | 2 / 4 | 1.46 GHz | 2.53 GHz | 4 MB | 18 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-620LM | 2 / 4 | 2 GHz | 2.8 GHz | 4 MB | 25 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-640LM | 2 / 4 | 2.13 GHz | 2.93 GHz | 4 MB | 25 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core I7-660LM | 2 / 4 | 2.26 GHz | 3.06 GHz | 4 MB | 25 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-620M (BGA) | 2 / 4 | 2.66 GHz | 3.33 GHz | 4 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-640M (BGA) | 2 / 4 | 2.8 GHz | 3.46 GHz | 4 MB | 37 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Other families, Nehalem micro-architecture, Socket G1 | ||||||
| Celeron P4500 | 2 / 2 | 1.86 GHz | 2 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT | |
| Celeron P4600 | 2 / 2 | 2 GHz | 2 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT | |
| Pentium P6200 | 2 / 2 | 2.13 GHz | 3 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT | |
| Pentium P6300 | 2 / 2 | 2.26 GHz | 3 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT | |
| Core i3-380M (PGA988) | 2 / 4 | 2.53 GHz | 3 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT | |
| Core i3-390M (PGA988) | 2 / 4 | 2.66 GHz | 3 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT | |
| Core i5-560M (PGA988) | 2 / 4 | 2.66 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i5-580M (PGA988) | 2 / 4 | 2.66 GHz | 3.33 GHz | 3 MB | 35 Watt | SSE4, AES, HT, VT, TXT, TBT |
| Core i7-920XM | 4 / 8 | 2 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 8 MB | 55 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT, Unlock |
| Core i7-940XM | 4 / 8 | 2.13 GHz | 3.33 GHz | 8 MB | 55 Watt | SSE4, HT, VT, TXT, TBT, Unlock |
• Highlighted numbers and features indicate whether specific processor performs better or worse than Core i7-720QM
• Within each category, the CPUs are sorted from slower (at the top) to faster (at the bottom)
• List of related CPUs is not complete.
• Features abbreviations:
SSE4 - SSE4 instructions
AES - AES instructions
HT - Hyper-Threading
VT - Virtualization
TXT - Trusted Execution
TBT - Dynamic Acceleration / Turbo Boost
Unlock - Unlocked multiplier
AES - AES instructions
HT - Hyper-Threading
VT - Virtualization
TXT - Trusted Execution
TBT - Dynamic Acceleration / Turbo Boost
Unlock - Unlocked multiplier
FAQ
Q: I have an Intel Core i7-720QM microprocessor. Can I upgrade it?
A: Probably yes. CPU compatibility is determined by your motherboard. Please check CPU-Upgrade.com resource for CPU support list for your board.
Intel i7-720QM Overclocking
Sorry, overclocking information is not available at this time.
Pictures (2)
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| Core i7 Mobile I7-720QM | |
Engineering sample. |
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News
Intel discontinues Xeon, Celeron and Core i7 CPUs
Mar 08, 2011: In one of our February's
stories we reported about Intel plans to discontinue Xeon MP
processors from 7200, 7300 and 7400 series in March of this year.
Today Intel published Product Discontinuance Notifications (PDN) for
these microprocessors. In addition to Xeon models, Intel is going to
retire several mobile Celerons and Core i7s, as well as Core
i7-980X.
Benchmarks
Benchmark tools
- For additional benchmarks, comparing multi-threaded performance of this microprocessor with other Core i7 Mobile CPUs and the fastest AMD and Intel x86 chips, please visit Intel Core i7-720QM benchmarks page.
Intel i7-720QM benchmarks
The graphs below show up to 10 processors with aproximately the same level of performance in different types of applications. All processors were tested at nominal frequency (not overclocked), with stock heatsink and default BIOS settings. To see how the i7-720QM compares to other CPUs please see benchmark tools section above.
Benchmarked processor
| S-spec number: | Q3BA |
| CPU ID: | 106E5 |
| CPU vendor string: | GenuineIntel |
| CPU name string: | Intel(R) Core(TM) CPU Q 720 @ 1.60GHz |
Integer performance
| Part number | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| 147.7% | ||
| 107.9% | ||
| 104.2% | ||
| 100.5% | ||
| 100.5% | ||
| 100% | ||
| 99% | ||
| 98.9% | ||
| 98.1% | ||
| 96.7% | ||
| 96.4% |
Floating Point performance
| Part number | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| 106.5% | ||
| 105.5% | ||
| 101.6% | ||
| 101.5% | ||
| 100.5% | ||
| 100% | ||
| 97.7% | ||
| 93.2% | ||
| 92.6% | ||
| 91.8% | ||
| 89.5% |
MMX / SSE / SSE2 performance
| Part number | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| 109.5% | ||
| 107.1% | ||
| 107% | ||
| 102.4% | ||
| 102.2% | ||
| 100% | ||
| 97.5% | ||
| 93% | ||
| 92.6% | ||
| 90.9% | ||
| 90.2% |
Memory-intensive program performance
| Part number | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| 109% | ||
| 108.8% | ||
| 106.3% | ||
| 105% | ||
| 100.2% | ||
| 100% | ||
| 99.7% | ||
| 98.5% | ||
| 96.2% | ||
| 95.8% | ||
| 95.7% |
CPU ID (6)
CPUID Tools
- Our CPUID database contains 6 records for this microprocessor. See all submitted records.
- Use our CPU identification tool to check features of your CPU.
CPUID features of Intel i7-720QM
NOTE: The CPU ID information below was taken from one CPU and may include features that are not present in all different steppings of the Intel Core i7 Mobile i7-720QM CPU.
|
|
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Vendor: | GenuineIntel |
| Processor name (BIOS): | Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60GHz |
| Cores: | 4 |
| Logical processors: | 8 |
| Processor type: | Original OEM Processor |
| CPUID signature: | 106E5 |
| Family: | 6 (06h) |
| Model: | 30 (01Eh) |
| Stepping: | 5 (05h) |
| TLB/Cache details: | 64-byte Prefetching Data TLB0: 2-MB or 4-MB pages, 4-way associative, 32 entries Data TLB: 4-KB Pages, 4-way set associative, 64 entries Instruction TLB: 2-MB or 4-MB pages, fully associative, 7 entries Instruction TLB: 4-KB pages, 4-way set associative, 64 entries Shared 2nd-level TLB: 4 KB pages, 4-way set associative, 512 entries |
| Cache: | L1 data | L1 instruction | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size: | 4 x 32 KB | 4 x 32 KB | 4 x 256 KB | 6 MB |
| Associativity: | 8-way set associative |
4-way set associative |
8-way set associative |
12-way set associative |
| Line size: | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes |
| Comments: | Direct-mapped | Direct-mapped | Non-inclusive Direct-mapped |
Inclusive Direct-mapped Shared between all cores |
| Instruction set extensions | Additional instructions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MMX | CLFLUSH | ||
| SSE | CMOV | ||
| SSE2 | CMPXCHG16B | ||
| SSE3 | CMPXCHG8B | ||
| SSSE3 | FXSAVE/FXRSTORE | ||
| SSE4.1 | MONITOR/MWAIT | ||
| SSE4.2 | POPCNT | ||
| RDTSCP | |||
| SYSENTER/SYSEXIT | |||
| Major features | Other features | ||
| On-chip Floating Point Unit | 36-bit page-size extensions | ||
| 64-bit / Intel 64 | 64-bit debug store | ||
| NX bit/XD-bit | Advanced programmable interrupt controller | ||
| Hyper-Threading Technology | CPL qualified debug store | ||
| Intel Virtualization | Debug store | ||
| Intel Trusted Execution technology | Debugging extensions | ||
| Turbo Boost | Digital Thermal Sensor capability | ||
| Enhanced SpeedStep | LAHF / SAHF support in 64-bit mode | ||
| Machine check architecture | |||
| Machine check exception | |||
| Memory-type range registers | |||
| Model-specific registers | |||
| Page attribute table | |||
| Page global extension | |||
| Page-size extensions (4MB pages) | |||
| Pending break enable | |||
| Perfmon and Debug capability | |||
| Physical address extensions | |||
| Self-snoop | |||
| TSC rate is ensured to be invariant across all states | |||
| Thermal monitor | |||
| Thermal monitor 2 | |||
| Thermal monitor and software controlled clock facilities | |||
| Time stamp counter | |||
| Virtual 8086-mode enhancements | |||
| xTPR Update Control | |||
Comments (2)
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