Core i5-1030NG7
VS
Core i7-3720QM

Core i5-1030NG7 vs Core i7-3720QM

Intel

Core i5-1030NG7

4 Cores8 Thrd10 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Core i7-3720QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i5-1030NG7 is positioned at rank 734 and the Core i7-3720QM is on rank 50, so the Core i7-3720QM 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 i5-1030NG7

#722
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1048%
#723
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1033%
#724
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
948%
#725
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
944%
#726
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
935%
#728
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
903%
#729
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
866%
#730
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
864%
#731
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
841%
#734
Core i5-1030NG7
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#744
Pentium 6805
MSRP: $161|Avg: $161
98%
#748
Ryzen 3 7320C
MSRP: $299|Avg: $200
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3720QM

#13
Ryzen 3 210
MSRP: $99|Avg: $99
95%
#38
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
210%
#39
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
207%
#40
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
190%
#41
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
189%
#42
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
187%
#44
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
181%
#45
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
173%
#46
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
173%
#47
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
168%
#50
Core i7-3720QM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#51
Celeron N2807
MSRP: $107|Avg: $60
100%
#65
Core i5-3320M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
95%
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 i5-1030NG7 (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and LPDDR4-3733, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i5-1030NG7Core i7-3720QM
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
✨ Modern (Ice Lake-Y (2020) / 10 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3720QM (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-1030NG7Core i7-3720QM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-1030NG7 and Core i7-3720QM

Intel

Core i5-1030NG7

The Core i5-1030NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 March 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1044. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 5,600 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i7-3720QM

The Core i7-3720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,591 points. Launch price was $378.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1030NG7 and Core i7-3720QM share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-1030NG7 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3720QM — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3720QM (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-1030NG7 uses the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-3720QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1030NG7 scores 5,600 against the Core i7-3720QM's 5,591 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-1030NG7. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-1030NG7Core i7-3720QM
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
2.6 GHz+136%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
10 nm-55%
22 nm
Architecture
Ice Lake-Y (2020)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
5,600
5,591
Geekbench 6 Single
1,239
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1030NG7 uses the BGA1044 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-1030NG7Core i7-3720QM
Socket
BGA1044
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR4-3733
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1030NG7) / not specified (Core i7-3720QM). The Core i5-1030NG7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics G7), while the Core i7-3720QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1030NG7 targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1030NG7 rivals Ryzen 5 4500U.

FeatureCore i5-1030NG7Core i7-3720QM
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Plus Graphics G7
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Thin & Light Laptop