Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i7-6970HQ

Core i3-1115GRE

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020

Core i7-6970HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd1 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-1115GRE

2 / 4

4,588

0.0%

4,632

+1.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-1115GRE is positioned at rank 1009 and the Core i7-6970HQ is on rank 486, so the Core i7-6970HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1115GRE

#996

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#997

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#998

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#999

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1000

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1002

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1003

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1004

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1005

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1008

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1009

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1010

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1011

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1012

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1013

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1014

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1016

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1017

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1019

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1020

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1021

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1022

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6970HQ

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

99%

#474

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

633%

#475

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

624%

#476

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

573%

#477

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

570%

#478

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

565%

#480

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

546%

#481

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

523%

#482

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

522%

#483

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

508%

#486

Core i7-6970HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#488

Processor U300

MSRP: $193|Avg: $180

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-1115GRE (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, LPDDR4X, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-6970HQ
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($480)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) / 10 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-6970HQ (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-6970HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($480)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

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 i3-1115GRE Benchmark Check

Core i7-6970HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-1115GRE and Core i7-6970HQ

Core i3-1115GRE

The Core i3-1115GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 4,588 points. Launch price was $338.

Core i7-6970HQ

The Core i7-6970HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,632 points. Launch price was $623.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-1115GRE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-6970HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-6970HQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115GRE versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-6970HQ — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115GRE (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-1115GRE uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-6970HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1115GRE scores 4,588 against the Core i7-6970HQ's 4,632 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-6970HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115GRE vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6970HQ.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-6970HQ
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+5%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,588	4,632
Geekbench 6 Single	1,175	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,233	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115GRE uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-6970HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-6970HQ
Socket	FCBGA1449	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-1115GRE) / not specified (Core i7-6970HQ). The Core i3-1115GRE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core i7-6970HQ requires a dedicated GPU.