Core i7-3740QM vs Ryzen 3 3300U

Core i7-3740QM vs Ryzen 3 3300U Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3740QM

4 / 8

5,710

+0.4%

5,686

0.0%

FX-4350

Ryzen Embedded R1505G

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Core i7-3740QM vs Ryzen 3 3300U 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 Ryzen 3 3300U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +17.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Ryzen 3 3300U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3740QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,686 vs 5,710).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3740QM better than Ryzen 3 3300U?

Yes. Core i7-3740QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3740QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3740QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-3740QM still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-3740QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen 3 3300U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3740QM vs Ryzen 3 3300U 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.

Ryzen 3 3300U

The Ryzen 3 3300U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,686 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 3 3300U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3740QM versus 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3300U — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3740QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 3 3300U uses Picasso (2019−2022) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3740QM scores 5,710 against the Ryzen 3 3300U's 5,686 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3740QM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3740QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3300U.

Feature	Core i7-3740QM	Ryzen 3 3300U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+29%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	12 nm-45%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Picasso (2019−2022)
PassMark	5,710	5,686

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 3300U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.