Core i3-4100E vs Core i7-740QM

Core i3-4100E

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013

Core i7-740QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-4100E

2 / 4

1,848

+0.3%

1,842

0.0%

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 i3-4100E is positioned at rank 1127 and the Core i7-740QM is on rank 1209, so the Core i3-4100E 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 i3-4100E

#1114

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3574%

#1115

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3521%

#1116

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3233%

#1117

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3218%

#1118

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3189%

#1120

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3079%

#1121

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2952%

#1122

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2948%

#1123

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2868%

#1126

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

100%

#1127

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#1128

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1129

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

100%

#1130

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

100%

#1131

Core m5-6Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1133

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

99%

#1134

Core i5-4288U

MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A

95%

#1135

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1136

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

94%

#1137

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

94%

#1138

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1140

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

93%

#1141

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-740QM

#1197

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

6025%

#1198

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

5936%

#1199

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

5450%

#1200

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

5425%

#1201

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

5375%

#1203

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

5191%

#1204

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

4977%

#1205

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

4969%

#1206

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

4836%

#1209

Core i7-740QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

100%

#1211

Core 2 Solo SU3300

MSRP: $262|Avg: $50

98%

#1212

Celeron 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

97%

#1213

Celeron U3600

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

96%

#1216

Core 2 Quad Q9000

MSRP: $348|Avg: $15

94%

#1217

Core i5-2537M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

94%

#1218

Core i7-720QM

MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A

93%

#1219

Pentium U5400

MSRP: $289|Avg: $214

91%

#1220

Pentium T2330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $7

91%

#1221

Z-01

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

88%

#1222

Pentium T2310

MSRP: $150|Avg: $14

86%

#1223

Celeron SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

84%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

83%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-740QM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-4100E is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-4100E	Core i7-740QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-4100E stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 92% cheaper ($30 vs $378) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-4100E	Core i7-740QM
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1164%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)

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 i3-4100E Benchmark Check

Core i7-740QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4100E and Core i7-740QM

Core i3-4100E

The Core i3-4100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,848 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i7-740QM

The Core i7-740QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,842 points. Launch price was $546.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-4100E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-740QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-740QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4100E versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-740QM — a 19.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-740QM (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Core i3-4100E uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-740QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100E scores 1,848 against the Core i7-740QM's 1,842 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-4100E. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4100E vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-740QM.

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Core i7-740QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.93 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+39%	1.73 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,848	1,842
Geekbench 6 Single	550	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100E uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-740QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4100E versus 1333 on the Core i7-740QM — the Core i7-740QM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4100E supports up to 16 GB 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: QM87,HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4100E) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-740QM).

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Core i7-740QM
Socket	BGA1364	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+209715100%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-4100E) vs true (Core i7-740QM). The Core i3-4100E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-740QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-4100E rivals Embedded R-Series; Core i7-740QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.