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 i7-2715QE vs Pentium Gold 4417U 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 i7-2715QE vs Pentium Gold 4417U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-2715QE

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium Gold 4417U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,221 vs 3,240).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.5 vs 20.1 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.

Pentium Gold 4417U

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $217 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 136.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.1 vs 8.5 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2715QE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2715QE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold 4417U better than Core i7-2715QE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2715QE is ahead with a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4417U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-2715QE also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4417U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold 4417U is the better buy right now. Pentium Gold 4417U comes in $217 cheaper on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2715QE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 136.2% better value on MSRP (20.1 vs 8.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold 4417U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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 i7-2715QE vs Pentium Gold 4417U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-2715QE

The Core i7-2715QE 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 3,221 points. Launch price was $378.

Pentium Gold 4417U

The Pentium Gold 4417U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,240 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2715QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold 4417U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2715QE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-2715QE versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold 4417U — a 26.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-2715QE (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-2715QE uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold 4417U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2715QE scores 3,221 against the Pentium Gold 4417U's 3,240 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium Gold 4417U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2715QE vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 4417U.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Pentium Gold 4417U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+30%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.3 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,221	3,240
Geekbench 6 Single	587	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2715QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold 4417U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Pentium Gold 4417U
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2715QE) / not specified (Pentium Gold 4417U). The Core i7-2715QE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Gold 4417U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2715QE targets Embedded/Industrial. Direct competitor: Core i7-2715QE rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Pentium Gold 4417U
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Embedded/Industrial	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-2715QE was priced at $378, while the Pentium Gold 4417U came in at $161. On launch pricing ($378 vs $161), Pentium Gold 4417U was $217 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2715QE delivers 8.5 pts/$ vs 20.1 pts/$ for the Pentium Gold 4417U — making the Pentium Gold 4417U the 81% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-2715QE	Pentium Gold 4417U
MSRP	$378	$161-57%
Performance per Dollar	8.5	20.1+136%
Release Date	2011	2019

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