Core i3-7020U vs Core i5-750

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.

Core i3-7020U vs Core i5-750 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.

Core i3-7020U vs Core i5-750: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7020U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-750.

Core i5-750

2009

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7020U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,546 vs 2,567).
❌Launch MSRP is still $210 MSRP, while Core i3-7020U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7020U better than Core i5-750?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-750 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7020U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-750 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7020U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7020U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7020U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $210 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-750 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Core i3-7020U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7020U vs Core i5-750 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-750

The Core i5-750 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,546 points. Launch price was $150.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7020U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-750 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-750 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-750 — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-750 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i3-7020U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-750 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7020U scores 2,567 against the Core i5-750's 2,546 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-7020U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-750.

Feature	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-750
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+39%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.66 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,567	2,546
Geekbench 6 Single	—	424

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7020U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-750 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-750
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-7020U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-750). Primary use case: Core i5-750 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-750 rivals Phenom II X4 965.