Core i7-2657M vs Core i3-1000NG4

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 i7-2657M is positioned at rank 268 and the Core i3-1000NG4 is on rank 623, so the Core i7-2657M 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 i7-2657M

#73

Core i9-13950HX

MSRP: $590|Avg: $199

100%

#256

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

420%

#257

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

414%

#258

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

380%

#259

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

378%

#260

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

375%

#262

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

362%

#263

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

347%

#264

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

347%

#265

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

337%

#268

Core i7-2657M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#277

Core 2 Extreme X9100

MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1000NG4

#611

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

831%

#612

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

819%

#613

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

752%

#614

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

748%

#615

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

742%

#617

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

716%

#618

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

687%

#619

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

686%

#620

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

667%

#623

Core i3-1000NG4

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#625

Core 3 N355

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

99%

#628

Core i5-1335UE

MSRP: $312|Avg: $312

99%

#638

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

96%

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 i3-1000NG4 (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and LPDDR4-3733, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2657M	Core i3-1000NG4
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Ice Lake-Y (2020) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2657M (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2657M	Core i3-1000NG4
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 i7-2657M Benchmark Check

Core i3-1000NG4 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2657M and Core i3-1000NG4

Core i7-2657M

The Core i7-2657M 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 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,491 points. Launch price was $317.

Core i3-1000NG4

The Core i3-1000NG4 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 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1044. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 3,530 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2657M and Core i3-1000NG4 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-2657M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-1000NG4 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-1000NG4 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-2657M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-1000NG4 uses Ice Lake-Y (2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2657M scores 3,491 against the Core i3-1000NG4's 3,530 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-1000NG4. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2657M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-1000NG4.

Feature	Core i7-2657M	Core i3-1000NG4
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.2 GHz+19%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+45%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	10 nm-69%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ice Lake-Y (2020)
PassMark	3,491	3,530+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	535	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2657M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-1000NG4 uses BGA1044 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2657M	Core i3-1000NG4
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1044
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2657M) / not specified (Core i3-1000NG4). The Core i7-2657M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i3-1000NG4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2657M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2657M rivals A6-3420M.