How to compare CPU performance on two laptops

One laptop feels faster than another, but the difference is hard to pin down. A quick benchmark can give you a useful comparison, as long as you test both machines under similar conditions.

The Processor Test measures single-core and all-core performance in your browser and gives each result a score out of 100. Use it to compare the laptops in the same kind of workload, then check whether power settings, heat, or background activity explain a gap.

Run the same CPU test on both laptops

1. Open the Processor Test on the first laptop. Use the same browser, if possible, on both machines.
2. Plug the laptop into its charger, close programs and browser tabs you do not need, and wait a few minutes for the system to settle.
3. Run the test and note the single-core and all-core scores. Also note which laptop, browser, and power condition you used.
4. Repeat the test two more times on that laptop. Then test the second laptop using the same browser, similar power settings, and the same routine.
5. Compare the typical scores, not just the highest result. If one run is much lower than the others, repeat it after checking for an update, download, or other task using the CPU.

For a fair comparison, use the same browser version when you can. Different browser engines can produce different benchmark results, even on the same computer. If you cannot use the same browser, treat the scores as a rough comparison rather than a controlled one.

What the scores mean

One laptop has a higher single-core score

It completed the test's single-core work faster. This can matter for tasks that rely heavily on one busy CPU core, such as some parts of app startup or web page scripting. It does not mean every program will feel faster by the same amount.

One laptop has a higher all-core score

It handled the test's work across multiple CPU cores more quickly. This can be useful for comparing workloads that can run several tasks at once, but it does not predict every editing, rendering, or gaming task. Programs use CPU cores in different ways.

The single-core scores are close, but all-core scores differ

The laptops may have similar speed on one core but differ when several cores are busy. Power limits, cooling, or a CPU's design can affect how long it sustains a multi-core workload. Check the laptops under the same power and temperature conditions before drawing a conclusion.

Scores vary a lot between runs

A laptop may be doing background work, changing its power behavior, or getting warm. Compare the middle result from three runs on each machine. A small difference can also be normal measurement variation, especially if the scores are close.

A score out of 100 makes results easier to compare within this test. It is not a universal rating, and it does not mean a laptop with a score of 80 is twice as fast as one with a score of 40.

Make the comparison fair

1. Use comparable power settings. On Windows 11, check Settings › System › Power & battery › Power mode on both laptops. On macOS, check System Settings › Battery for Low Power Mode or Energy Mode, if available. Use similar settings, and record them.
2. Keep the charger condition consistent. Run both tests while plugged in, or run both on battery if that is the situation you want to compare. Do not compare one laptop plugged in with the other in a battery-saving mode.
3. Close background work. Pause large downloads, cloud backups, game launchers, video calls, and other CPU-heavy tasks. Leave the same essential apps open on both laptops.
4. Let each laptop cool between test sessions. A warm CPU can reduce its speed to control heat. Keep the laptops on a hard, flat surface, and do not cover their vents.
5. Repeat at the same time and place. Room temperature and other activity can affect results. If the difference matters, test each laptop again under the same conditions on another occasion.

Do not change several settings at once to chase a higher score. First record a baseline, then change one setting and retest. That helps you see whether the change affected performance.

When a large gap needs investigation

If the scores stay far apart across repeated runs, check whether both laptops are using the expected power mode and whether one is unusually hot or running background tasks. Confirm that the browser is up to date and that the test is running in the same browser, not in a restricted or remote session.

If one laptop is consistently slow in everyday tasks as well as in the test, check for blocked vents, a fan that does not spin normally, or a power adapter that is not charging it. A browser benchmark alone cannot diagnose a damaged CPU or identify the exact cause. If the laptop also shuts down, overheats, or slows sharply during ordinary work, contact the manufacturer or a repair technician.

What a browser CPU test cannot tell you

The Processor Test runs a workload in a browser, not every kind of software you might use. Its score cannot prove how fast a laptop will be in a particular game, video editor, or engineering program. It also cannot report the exact CPU temperature or show whether a laptop's cooling system is healthy.

Use the scores as one controlled comparison, then judge the laptops with the programs and tasks that matter to you.