Core i7-2720QM vs Core i3-8145UE

Core i7-2720QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

Core i3-8145UE

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2720QM

4 / 8

4,015

0.0%

4,021

+0.1%

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 i7-2720QM is positioned at rank 1062 and the Core i3-8145UE is on rank 995, so the Core i3-8145UE 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 i7-2720QM

#1050

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2763%

#1051

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2722%

#1052

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2499%

#1053

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2488%

#1054

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2465%

#1056

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2380%

#1057

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2282%

#1058

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2279%

#1059

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2218%

#1062

Core i7-2720QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

100%

#1063

Pentium 2020M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

99%

#1064

Celeron P4500

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

99%

#1065

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

99%

#1066

Processor N50

MSRP: $128|Avg: $120

98%

#1067

Athlon II N350

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

98%

#1068

Celeron N3350

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

98%

#1070

Core i7-2675QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

97%

#1071

A9-9410

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

97%

#1073

A8 Pro-7150B

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

97%

#1074

A9-9420

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

97%

#1075

Celeron B730

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8145UE

#983

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2050%

#984

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2020%

#985

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1855%

#986

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1846%

#987

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1829%

#989

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1767%

#990

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1694%

#991

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1691%

#992

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1646%

#995

Core i3-8145UE

MSRP: $281|Avg: $50

100%

#996

Core i7-4712MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $60

98%

#997

Core i7-3615QE

MSRP: $400|Avg: $100

98%

#998

Celeron M U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

98%

#999

3015Ce

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

98%

#1000

Core i7-4700MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

98%

#1001

Athlon II M340

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

97%

#1005

Pentium P6000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

96%

#1007

Core i7-3630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

95%

#1008

Core i7-3610QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

95%

#1009

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

95%

#1010

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

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 i3-8145UE (2018) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2720QM	Core i3-8145UE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)	✅ More affordable ($50)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2720QM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2720QM	Core i3-8145UE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+657%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)	✅ More affordable ($50)

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 i7-2720QM Benchmark Check

Core i3-8145UE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2720QM and Core i3-8145UE

Core i7-2720QM

The Core i7-2720QM 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.

Core i3-8145UE

The Core i3-8145UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,021 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-8145UE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8145UE — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-8145UE (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-2720QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-8145UE uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2720QM scores 4,015 against the Core i3-8145UE's 4,021 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-8145UE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 700 vs 1,218, a 54% lead for the Core i3-8145UE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,600 vs 2,356 (9.8% advantage for the Core i7-2720QM). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2720QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8145UE.

Feature	Core i7-2720QM	Core i3-8145UE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.9 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	10 nm-69%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,015	4,021
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,356
Geekbench 6 Single	700	1,218+74%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,600+10%	2,356

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-8145UE uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2720QM versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8145UE — the Core i3-8145UE supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-8145UE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2720QM) and Whiskey Lake (Core i3-8145UE).

Feature	Core i7-2720QM	Core i3-8145UE
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2720QM) and UHD 620 (Core i3-8145UE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop, Core i3-8145UE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX; Core i3-8145UE rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.

Feature	Core i7-2720QM	Core i3-8145UE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	UHD 620
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Budget