Core i3-2357M vs Core i7-720QM

Core i3-2357M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2011

Core i7-720QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-2357M

2 / 4

1,645

0.0%

1,658

+0.8%

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 i3-2357M is positioned at rank 96 and the Core i7-720QM is on rank 1218, so the Core i3-2357M 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 i3-2357M

#27

Core Ultra 7 265HX

MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A

99%

#84

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

268%

#85

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

264%

#86

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

242%

#87

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

241%

#88

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

239%

#90

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

231%

#91

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

221%

#92

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

221%

#93

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

215%

#96

Core i3-2357M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#98

N150

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $128

99%

#102

N100

MSRP: $128|Avg: $128

98%

#106

Ryzen 5 2500U

MSRP: $349|Avg: N/A

96%

#109

Celeron 4305U

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

95%

#110

Celeron J1850

MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-720QM

#1206

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

6448%

#1207

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

6354%

#1208

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

5833%

#1209

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

5807%

#1210

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

5753%

#1212

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

5556%

#1213

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

5327%

#1214

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

5319%

#1215

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

5176%

#1218

Core i7-720QM

MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A

100%

#1219

Pentium U5400

MSRP: $289|Avg: $214

98%

#1220

Pentium T2330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $7

97%

#1221

Z-01

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

95%

#1222

Pentium T2310

MSRP: $150|Avg: $14

92%

#1223

Celeron SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

89%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

89%

#1225

Core i7-660UM

MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A

89%

#1226

C-30

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

88%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

86%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

83%

#1232

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

73%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

62%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-720QM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-2357M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.8% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-2357M	Core i7-720QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($364)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-2357M	Core i7-720QM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($364)

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 i3-2357M Benchmark Check

Core i7-720QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2357M and Core i7-720QM

Core i3-2357M

The Core i3-2357M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,645 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i7-720QM

The Core i7-720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $546.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-2357M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-720QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core i3-2357M versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-720QM — a 73.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-720QM (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-2357M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-720QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2357M scores 1,645 against the Core i7-720QM's 1,658 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-720QM. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2357M vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-720QM.

Feature	Core i3-2357M	Core i7-720QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	2.8 GHz+115%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	1.6 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,645	1,658
Cinebench R23 Multi	440	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	440	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2357M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. The Core i3-2357M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS57,QS67,UM67 (Core i3-2357M) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-720QM).

Feature	Core i3-2357M	Core i7-720QM
Socket	BGA1023	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1333	1333
Max RAM Capacity	16+100%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. The Core i3-2357M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-720QM requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-2357M rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600; Core i7-720QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.