Core i7-3630QM vs Pentium Gold 7505

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 i7-3630QM vs Pentium Gold 7505 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 i7-3630QM vs Pentium Gold 7505: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3630QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 16 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium Gold 7505 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,136 vs 5,174).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 7505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1700% higher power demand at 45W vs 2.5W.

Pentium Gold 7505

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 45W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3630QM across 16 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3630QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold 7505 better than Core i7-3630QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3630QM is ahead with a 10.5% average FPS lead across 16 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 7505 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-3630QM also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 7505 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold 7505 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold 7505 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-3630QM only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Pentium Gold 7505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012) 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 i7-3630QM vs Pentium Gold 7505 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3630QM

The Core i7-3630QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: 5,136 points. Launch price was $284.

Pentium Gold 7505

The Pentium Gold 7505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.5 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,174 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3630QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold 7505 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-3630QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-3630QM versus 3.5 GHz on the Pentium Gold 7505 — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 7505 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-3630QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold 7505 uses Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i7-3630QM scores 5,136 against the Pentium Gold 7505's 5,174 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium Gold 7505. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3630QM vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold 7505.

Feature	Core i7-3630QM	Pentium Gold 7505
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+20%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB
Process	22 nm	10 nm SuperFin-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)
PassMark	5,136	5,174
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3630QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold 7505 uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3630QM	Pentium Gold 7505
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-3630QM) / not specified (Pentium Gold 7505). The Core i7-3630QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium Gold 7505 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3630QM targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3630QM rivals AMD A10-5750M.