3020e vs Core i7-3517UE

AMD

3020e

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-3517UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2012
Similar parts
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3020e vs Core i7-3517UE Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

3020e vs Core i7-3517UE FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

3020e vs Core i7-3517UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

3020e

2020

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $230 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $330 MSRP).
  • Delivers 233.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.1 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $330 MSRP).
  • Draws 1W instead of 17W, a 16W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i7-3517UE

2012

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (2,384 vs 2,406).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 24.1 PassMark/$ ($330 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
    • 1600% higher power demand at 17W vs 1W.
    • No integrated graphics, while 3020e can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is 3020e better than Core i7-3517UE?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3517UE is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, 3020e pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, 3020e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    3020e is the better buy right now. 3020e comes in $230 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $330 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3517UE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 233.0% better value on MSRP (24.1 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    3020e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    3020e vs Core i7-3517UE Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    AMD

    3020e

    The 3020e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,406 points. Launch price was $50.

    Intel

    Core i7-3517UE

    The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    The 3020e packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-3517UE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the 3020e versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517UE (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The 3020e uses the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3517UE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the 3020e scores 2,406 against the Core i7-3517UE's 2,384 — a 0.9% lead for the 3020e. L3 cache: 4 MB on the 3020e vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE.

    Feature3020eCore i7-3517UE
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 4
    Boost Clock
    2.6 GHz
    2.8 GHz+8%
    Base Clock
    1.2 GHz
    1.7 GHz+42%
    L3 Cache
    4 MB
    4 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB+300%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    14 nm-36%
    22 nm
    Architecture
    Dali (Zen) (2020)
    Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
    PassMark
    2,406
    2,384
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    480
    Geekbench 6 Single
    660
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    1,100
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The 3020e uses the FT5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3517UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    Feature3020eCore i7-3517UE
    Socket
    FT5
    BGA1023
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-2400
    Max RAM Capacity
    32 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    8
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: AMD-V (3020e) / not specified (Core i7-3517UE). The 3020e includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (Vega 3)), while the Core i7-3517UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: 3020e targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: 3020e rivals Celeron N4020.

    Feature3020eCore i7-3517UE
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Radeon Graphics (Vega 3)
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Entry Level Laptop
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the 3020e was priced at $100, while the Core i7-3517UE came in at $330. On launch pricing ($100 vs $330), 3020e was $230 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the 3020e delivers 24.1 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-3517UE — making the 3020e the 107.6% better value option.

    Feature3020eCore i7-3517UE
    MSRP
    $100-70%
    $330
    Performance per Dollar
    24.1+235%
    7.2
    Release Date
    2020
    2012

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