Core i7-3517UE vs Core m3-7Y30

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 i7-3517UE vs Core m3-7Y30 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 i7-3517UE vs Core m3-7Y30: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3517UE

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,384 vs 2,418).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($330 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
❌277.8% higher power demand at 17W vs 4.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core m3-7Y30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $49 less on MSRP ($281 MSRP vs $330 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.6 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $330 MSRP).
✅Draws 5W instead of 17W, a 13W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core m3-7Y30 better than Core i7-3517UE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3517UE is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-7Y30 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-7Y30 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core m3-7Y30 is the better buy right now. Core m3-7Y30 comes in $49 cheaper on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $330 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3517UE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 19.1% better value on MSRP (8.6 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), 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 m3-7Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3517UE vs Core m3-7Y30 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3517UE

The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

Core m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3517UE and Core m3-7Y30 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517UE (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i7-3517UE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517UE scores 2,384 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 1.4% lead for the Core m3-7Y30. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Core m3-7Y30
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+70%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,384	2,418+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	645
Geekbench 6 Single	—	768
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,481

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3517UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Core m3-7Y30
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	10

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3517UE) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). The Core m3-7Y30 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Core i7-3517UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Core m3-7Y30
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 615
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	—	Ultra-portable

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3517UE was priced at $330, while the Core m3-7Y30 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($330 vs $281), Core m3-7Y30 was $49 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3517UE delivers 7.2 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Core m3-7Y30 — making the Core m3-7Y30 the 17.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Core m3-7Y30
MSRP	$330	$281-15%
Performance per Dollar	7.2	8.6+19%
Release Date	2012	2016

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