Core i7-3720QM vs Core i5-1030NG7

Core i7-3720QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2012

Core i5-1030NG7

4 Cores8 Thrd10 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3720QM

4 / 8

5,591

0.0%

5,600

+0.2%

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 i7-3720QM is positioned at rank 50 and the Core i5-1030NG7 is on rank 734, so the Core i7-3720QM 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 i7-3720QM

#13

Ryzen 3 210

MSRP: $99|Avg: $99

95%

#38

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

210%

#39

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

207%

#40

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

190%

#41

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

189%

#42

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

187%

#44

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

181%

#45

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

173%

#46

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

173%

#47

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

168%

#50

Core i7-3720QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#51

Celeron N2807

MSRP: $107|Avg: $60

100%

#65

Core i5-3320M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-1030NG7

#722

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1048%

#723

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1033%

#724

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

948%

#725

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

944%

#726

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

935%

#728

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

903%

#729

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

866%

#730

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

864%

#731

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

841%

#734

Core i5-1030NG7

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#744

Pentium 6805

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#748

Ryzen 3 7320C

MSRP: $299|Avg: $200

98%

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 i5-1030NG7 (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and LPDDR4-3733, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-3720QM	Core i5-1030NG7
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Ice Lake-Y (2020) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3720QM (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-3720QM	Core i5-1030NG7
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i7-3720QM Benchmark Check

Core i5-1030NG7 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3720QM and Core i5-1030NG7

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.

Core i5-1030NG7

The Core i5-1030NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 March 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1044. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 5,600 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3720QM and Core i5-1030NG7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3720QM versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-1030NG7 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3720QM (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-3720QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-1030NG7 uses Ice Lake-Y (2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3720QM scores 5,591 against the Core i5-1030NG7's 5,600 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-1030NG7. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-3720QM	Core i5-1030NG7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+136%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ice Lake-Y (2020)
PassMark	5,591	5,600
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,239

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-1030NG7 uses BGA1044 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3720QM	Core i5-1030NG7
Socket	PGA988	BGA1044
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR4-3733
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3720QM) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1030NG7). The Core i5-1030NG7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics G7), while the Core i7-3720QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1030NG7 targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1030NG7 rivals Ryzen 5 4500U.