Core i5-7300HQ vs Core i7-3615QM

CPU

GPU

Core i5-7300HQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017

Core i7-3615QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-7300HQ

4 / 4

5,077

0.0%

5,167

+1.8%

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 i5-7300HQ is positioned at rank 698 and the Core i7-3615QM is on rank 307, so the Core i7-3615QM 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 i5-7300HQ

#686

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

983%

#687

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

968%

#688

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

889%

#689

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

885%

#690

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

877%

#692

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

847%

#693

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

812%

#694

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

810%

#695

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

789%

#698

Core i5-7300HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#699

Athlon Silver 3050e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

100%

#705

C-60

MSRP: $50|Avg: $20

99%

#712

Core i7-10850H

MSRP: $395|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3615QM

#295

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

454%

#296

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

448%

#297

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

411%

#298

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

409%

#299

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

405%

#301

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

391%

#302

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

375%

#303

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

375%

#304

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

365%

#307

Core i7-3615QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 i5-7300HQ (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-7300HQ	Core i7-3615QM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-H (2017) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3615QM (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-7300HQ	Core i7-3615QM
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.

Core i5-7300HQ Benchmark Check

Core i7-3615QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-7300HQ and Core i7-3615QM

Core i5-7300HQ

The Core i5-7300HQ 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 5,077 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i7-3615QM

The Core i7-3615QM 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,167 points. Launch price was $378.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-7300HQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3615QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300HQ versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QM — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7300HQ (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-7300HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3615QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7300HQ scores 5,077 against the Core i7-3615QM's 5,167 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i7-3615QM. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-7300HQ	Core i7-3615QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+6%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+9%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,077	5,167+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7300HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3615QM uses FCBGA1224 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7300HQ	Core i7-3615QM
Socket	BGA1440	FCBGA1224
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7300HQ) / not specified (Core i7-3615QM). The Core i5-7300HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-3615QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7300HQ targets Mobile.