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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i3-1115G4

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU), while Core i7-3820 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3820 across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.1% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅900% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,787 vs 5,860).
❌Launch MSRP is still $286 MSRP, while Core i3-1115G4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1115G4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-1115G4

2020

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU), while Core i7-3820 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.1% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅900% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3820 across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,787 vs 5,860).
❌Launch MSRP is still $286 MSRP, while Core i3-1115G4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1115G4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1115G4 better than Core i7-3820?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-3820 is ahead with a 16.1% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115G4 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Core i7-3820 also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115G4 is the better fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1115G4 is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i3-1115G4 is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $286 MSRP, and it gives you 1.3% better PassMark. Core i7-3820 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1115G4 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-1115G4 Benchmark Check

Core i7-3820 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-1115G4	Core i7-3820
1080p
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	135 FPS	140 FPS
high	105 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	82 FPS	90 FPS
1440p
low	144 FPS	141 FPS
medium	115 FPS	117 FPS
high	88 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	74 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	64 FPS
medium	58 FPS	57 FPS
high	44 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i3-1115G4 Open Core i7-3820

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-1115G4	Core i7-3820
1080p
low	109 FPS	145 FPS
medium	95 FPS	145 FPS
high	87 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	129 FPS
1440p
low	91 FPS	145 FPS
medium	78 FPS	145 FPS
high	73 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	115 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	136 FPS
medium	59 FPS	120 FPS
high	46 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	74 FPS

Open Core i3-1115G4 Open Core i7-3820

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-1115G4	Core i7-3820
1080p
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	146 FPS	145 FPS
high	146 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	145 FPS
1440p
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	146 FPS	145 FPS
high	146 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	145 FPS
4K
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	146 FPS	145 FPS
high	146 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	145 FPS

Open Core i3-1115G4 Open Core i7-3820

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-1115G4	Core i7-3820
1080p
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	146 FPS	145 FPS
high	146 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	145 FPS
1440p
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	146 FPS	145 FPS
high	146 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	145 FPS
4K
low	146 FPS	145 FPS
medium	146 FPS	145 FPS
high	146 FPS	145 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	145 FPS

Open Core i3-1115G4 Open Core i7-3820

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-1115G4 and Core i7-3820

Core i3-1115G4

The Core i3-1115G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,860 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-1115G4 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3820 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-3820 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-1115G4 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115G4 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-1115G4 uses the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-3820 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1115G4 scores 5,860 against the Core i7-3820's 5,787 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-1115G4. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,579 vs 624, a 86.7% lead for the Core i3-1115G4 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115G4 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4	Core i7-3820
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+8%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+64%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,860+1%	5,787
Geekbench 6 Single	1,579+153%	624

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115G4 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-3820 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1115G4 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3820 — the Core i3-1115G4 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-1115G4) vs 4 (Core i7-3820). PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i3-1115G4) vs 40 (Core i7-3820) — the Core i7-3820 offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4	Core i7-3820
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	40+900%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-3820 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i3-1115G4 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i3-1115G4 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)), while the Core i7-3820 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1115G4 targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1115G4 rivals Ryzen 3 5300U; Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4	Core i7-3820
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	HEDT Desktop