Core i7-3740QM vs Core i7-4720HQ

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 i7-3740QM vs Core i7-4720HQ 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 i7-3740QM vs Core i7-4720HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3740QM

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,710 vs 5,714).
❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.

Core i7-4720HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4720HQ better than Core i7-3740QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3740QM is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4720HQ pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4720HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4720HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-4720HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Core i7-4720HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and 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 i7-3740QM vs Core i7-4720HQ Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-4720HQ

The Core i7-4720HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) 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. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,714 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3740QM and Core i7-4720HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3740QM versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4720HQ — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3740QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4720HQ uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3740QM scores 5,710 against the Core i7-4720HQ's 5,714 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-4720HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3740QM vs 6 MB on the Core i7-4720HQ.

Feature	Core i7-3740QM	Core i7-4720HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	5,710	5,714

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4720HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.