Real World performance 2720qm vs 28*0qm / 29*0xm

[xsixt]

Just wondering, given other things being equal,

will the higher clocked / higher cache 2nd gen i7s (e.g. 2860qm / 2920xm) give much of a performance boost over the base 2720qm i7?

The 2720qm comes stock in a lot of W520s, and it's the bottom of the range, but it seems to represent pretty good value, so wondering whether a chip upgrade is worth it - it's not exactly cheap.

or are the 1st iteration 2nd gens, 2720/2820, a bit flawed compared to the later iterations, e.g. not hitting turbo boost or not the stated clock speed. This was a particular problem in 1st gen i7s apparently.

[Thinkpad4by3]

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-2 ... -i7-2720QM

When it comes to some programs, it offers a bit of a boost. In others, it kicks the living [censored] out of the 2720QM

[thinkpadcollection]

Also keep in mind when 2 cores in use, the clock boost is higher, and 4 cores come in play, boost comes down again. The max clock boost is 1 core.

And yes, try to invest in high clocked CPU quad as it also have larger cache as well, keep within 45W envelope. Core i7-2860QM is good blend of 2.5GHz, max boost is 3.6GHz for 1 core with 8MB cache.

W530 is best choice due to usb 3, 3rd gen CPU (Ivy Bridge, up to 3.9GHz boost) as well, and can get 55W 3 heatpipes heatsink to go with 55W CPUs as they can go to 2.8, 2.9 and 3GHz normal, boost is 3.9GHz on last processor (i7-3940XM). Otherwise W520 with 55W heatsink (3 heatpipes) and 55W CPU. Sandy bridge (2nd gen) only maxes out at 2.7GHz, boost 3.7GHz for Core i7-2960XM 55W.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection