Core i7-3720QM vs Core i7-4710HQ

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-3720QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4710HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-4710HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-3720QM needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,549 vs 5,591).

Core i7-3720QM

2012

Core i7-4710HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-3720QM needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4710HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,549 vs 5,591).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3720QM better than Core i7-4710HQ?

Yes. Core i7-3720QM is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.2% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3720QM is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3720QM is the better fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-3720QM still looks like the safer overall buy. Core i7-3720QM is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-4710HQ is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

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 i7-4710HQ Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-3720QM	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	114 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	88 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	136 FPS
medium	122 FPS	116 FPS
high	95 FPS	89 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	65 FPS
medium	61 FPS	59 FPS
high	48 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i7-3720QM Open Core i7-4710HQ

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-3720QM	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	139 FPS	124 FPS
high	128 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	95 FPS
4K
low	124 FPS	111 FPS
medium	112 FPS	98 FPS
high	88 FPS	77 FPS
ultra	64 FPS	55 FPS

Open Core i7-3720QM Open Core i7-4710HQ

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-3720QM	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS

Open Core i7-3720QM Open Core i7-4710HQ

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-3720QM	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS

Open Core i7-3720QM Open Core i7-4710HQ

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3720QM and Core i7-4710HQ

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 i7-4710HQ

The Core i7-4710HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,549 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3720QM and Core i7-4710HQ 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 i7-4710HQ — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3720QM (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-3720QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4710HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3720QM scores 5,591 against the Core i7-4710HQ's 5,549 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-3720QM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3720QM vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4710HQ.

Feature	Core i7-3720QM	Core i7-4710HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,591	5,549

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4710HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3720QM	Core i7-4710HQ
Socket	PGA988	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3720QM) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4710HQ). The Core i7-4710HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-3720QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4710HQ targets Mobile.