Core i3-7130U vs Core i7-2720QM

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 i3-7130U vs Core i7-2720QM 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 i3-7130U vs Core i7-2720QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7130U

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2720QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i7-2720QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,015 vs 4,055).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i3-7130U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7130U better than Core i7-2720QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2720QM is ahead with a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7130U pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-2720QM also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7130U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7130U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7130U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core i7-2720QM only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Core i3-7130U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7130U vs Core i7-2720QM Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7130U

The Core i3-7130U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,055 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-2720QM

The Core i7-2720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7130U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2720QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-7130U versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i7-2720QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-7130U uses the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2720QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7130U scores 4,055 against the Core i7-2720QM's 4,015 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-7130U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 900 vs 700, a 25% lead for the Core i3-7130U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7130U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2720QM.

Feature	Core i3-7130U	Core i7-2720QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-U (2017)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,055	4,015
Geekbench 6 Single	900+29%	700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7130U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-7130U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2720QM — the Core i3-7130U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-7130U) vs 16 (Core i7-2720QM) — the Core i7-2720QM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-7130U	Core i7-2720QM
Socket	BGA1356	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7130U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2720QM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 620 (Core i3-7130U) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2720QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7130U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7130U rivals Ryzen 3 3250U; Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Core i3-7130U	Core i7-2720QM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 620	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Performance Laptop