Core i7-3615QE vs Core i7-3720QM

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 i7-3615QE vs Core i7-3720QM 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 i7-3615QE vs Core i7-3720QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3615QE

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3720QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $400 MSRP, while Core i7-3720QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-3720QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,591 vs 5,617).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3615QE better than Core i7-3720QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3720QM is ahead with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3615QE pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3615QE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-3615QE is the better buy right now. Core i7-3615QE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $400 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3720QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3615QE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3615QE vs Core i7-3720QM Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3615QE

The Core i7-3615QE 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: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,617 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-3720QM

The Core i7-3720QM 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,591 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3615QE and Core i7-3720QM share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QE versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3720QM — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3720QM (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-3615QE scores 5,617 against the Core i7-3720QM's 5,591 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-3615QE. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3615QE vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3720QM.

Feature	Core i7-3615QE	Core i7-3720QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,617	5,591

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3615QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.