Core i5-3450S vs Core i7-2820QM

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 i5-3450S vs Core i7-2820QM 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 i5-3450S vs Core i7-2820QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3450S

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $394 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Delivers 227.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.3 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2820QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2820QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-2820QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Core i5-3450S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,379 vs 4,399).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 25.3 PassMark/$ ($568 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3450S better than Core i7-2820QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2820QM is ahead with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3450S pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i7-2820QM 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 i5-3450S 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 i5-3450S is the better buy right now. Core i5-3450S comes in $394 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $568 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2820QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 227.9% better value on MSRP (25.3 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3450S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) 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 i5-3450S vs Core i7-2820QM Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3450S

The Core i5-3450S 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,399 points. Launch price was $150.

Core i7-2820QM

The Core i7-2820QM 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3450S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2820QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450S versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3450S (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-3450S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2820QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3450S scores 4,399 against the Core i7-2820QM's 4,379 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3450S. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450S vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i7-2820QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+3%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,399	4,379
Geekbench 6 Single	—	554
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,763

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3450S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i7-2820QM
Socket	LGA1155	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3450S) / true (Core i7-2820QM). The Core i7-2820QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i5-3450S requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i7-2820QM
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3450S was priced at $174, while the Core i7-2820QM came in at $568. On launch pricing ($174 vs $568), Core i5-3450S was $394 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3450S delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-2820QM — making the Core i5-3450S the 106.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i7-2820QM
MSRP	$174-69%	$568
Performance per Dollar	25.3+229%	7.7
Release Date	2012	2011

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