Core i7-3740QM vs Core i5-4690K
Core i7-3740QM
Core i5-4690K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-3740QM is positioned at rank 761 and the Core i5-4690K is on rank 718, so the Core i5-4690K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3740QM
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4690K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3740QM | Core i5-4690K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($101) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3740QM | Core i5-4690K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($101) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3740QM and Core i5-4690K
Core i7-3740QM
The Core i7-3740QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: 5,710 points. Launch price was $378.
Core i5-4690K
The Core i5-4690K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,689 points. Launch price was $300.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-4690K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3740QM versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690K — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690K (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4690K uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3740QM scores 5,710 against the Core i5-4690K's 5,689 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3740QM. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-3740QM | Core i5-4690K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.9 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.5 GHz+30% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 5,710 | 5,689 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4690K uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-3740QM | Core i5-4690K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3740QM) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4690K). The Core i5-4690K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-3740QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4690K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i7-3740QM | Core i5-4690K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4600 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
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