Core i3-N305 vs Core i7-7740X

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-N305 vs Core i7-7740X 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-N305 vs Core i7-7740X: 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-N305

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $30 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Delivers 8.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.1 vs 28.5 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 112W, a 97W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7740X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,600 vs 9,678).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-7740X

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.5 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
❌646.7% higher power demand at 112W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i3-N305 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7740X better than Core i3-N305?

Yes. Core i7-7740X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-7740X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7740X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-7740X is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-7740X comes in 9.7% more expensive on MSRP at $339 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-N305 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 14.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i3-N305 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-N305 vs Core i7-7740X Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	Kaby Lake-X (2017)
PassMark	9,600	9,678

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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	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-N305 was priced at $309, while the Core i7-7740X came in at $339. On launch pricing ($309 vs $339), Core i3-N305 was $30 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-N305 delivers 31.1 pts/$ vs 28.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-7740X — making the Core i3-N305 the 8.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-N305	Core i7-7740X
MSRP	$309-9%	$339
Performance per Dollar	31.1+9%	28.5
Release Date	2023	2017

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