Core i3-N305 vs Core i7-7740X

Core i3-N305

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023

Core i7-7740X

4 Cores8 Thrd112 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-N305

8 / 8

9,600

0.0%

9,678

+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-N305 is positioned at rank 681 and the Core i7-7740X is on rank 614, so the Core i7-7740X 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-N305

#669

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

944%

#670

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

930%

#671

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

854%

#672

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

850%

#673

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

843%

#675

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

814%

#676

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

780%

#677

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

779%

#678

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

758%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#695

Processor N95

MSRP: $160|Avg: $80

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7740X

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

10918%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

10317%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

7491%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2257%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1787%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1564%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

896%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

884%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

805%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

805%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

796%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

774%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

763%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

760%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

753%

#383

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999

100%

#384

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

MSRP: $3990|Avg: $2850

98%

#385

Celeron G4900

MSRP: $42|Avg: $85

98%

#386

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

97%

#614

Core i7-7740X

MSRP: $339|Avg: $150

100%

#615

Core i3-4130

MSRP: $117|Avg: $55

100%

#617

Pentium G3250T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $30

100%

#619

Core i5-7640X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $85

99%

#620

Athlon II X3 425e

MSRP: $79|Avg: $58

99%

#621

Athlon II X4 640

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

99%

#622

Celeron G540

MSRP: $42|Avg: $10

99%

#624

Core i5-4590

MSRP: $192|Avg: $51

98%

#625

Celeron G440

MSRP: $37|Avg: $5

98%

#628

A8-7670K

MSRP: $118|Avg: $43

97%

#629

Core i3-8350K

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-N305 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-N305	Core i7-7740X
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)	✅ More affordable ($150)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-X (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-7740X (2017) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-N305	Core i7-7740X
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+108%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)	✅ More affordable ($150)

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-N305 Benchmark Check

Core i7-7740X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-N305 and Core i7-7740X

Core i3-N305

The Core i3-N305 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,600 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i7-7740X

The Core i7-7740X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 112 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,678 points. Launch price was $339.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-N305 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-7740X offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N305 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N305 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7740X — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-7740X (base: 0.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i3-N305 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-7740X uses Kaby Lake-X (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-N305 scores 9,600 against the Core i7-7740X's 9,678 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-7740X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N305 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7740X.

Feature	Core i3-N305	Core i7-7740X
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.5 GHz+18%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	4.3 GHz+4200%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+700%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	Kaby Lake-X (2017)
PassMark	9,600	9,678

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-N305 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-7740X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-N305	Core i7-7740X
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-N305) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7740X). Primary use case: Core i7-7740X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-N305	Core i7-7740X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-N305 launched at $309 MSRP, while the Core i7-7740X debuted at $339. At current prices ($309 vs $150), the Core i7-7740X is $159 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-N305 delivers 31.1 pts/$ vs 64.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-7740X — making the Core i7-7740X the 70% better value option.