Core i3-9320 vs Core i7-7920HQ

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 i3-9320 vs Core i7-7920HQ 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 i3-9320 vs Core i7-7920HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9320

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7920HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $154 MSRP, while Core i7-7920HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌37.8% higher power demand at 62W vs 45W.

Core i7-7920HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 62W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,322 vs 7,358).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9320 better than Core i7-7920HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7920HQ is ahead with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9320 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i7-7920HQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9320 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9320 is the better buy right now. Core i3-9320 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $154 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-7920HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (47.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-9320 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i3-9320 vs Core i7-7920HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9320

The Core i3-9320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,358 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-7920HQ

The Core i7-7920HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,322 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9320 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-7920HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-9320 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-7920HQ — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-9320 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-9320 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7920HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9320 scores 7,358 against the Core i7-7920HQ's 7,322 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-9320. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9320 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7920HQ.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i7-7920HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+19%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	7,358	7,322

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7920HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.