Core i7-3820 vs Core i7-4800MQ

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 i7-3820 vs Core i7-4800MQ 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 i7-3820 vs Core i7-4800MQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $94 less on MSRP ($286 MSRP vs $380 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.2 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($286 MSRP vs $380 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4800MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌176.6% higher power demand at 130W vs 47W.

Core i7-4800MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 47W instead of 130W, a 83W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,773 vs 5,787).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.2 vs 20.2 PassMark/$ ($380 MSRP vs $286 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4800MQ better than Core i7-3820?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4800MQ is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3820 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-3820 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-4800MQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4800MQ comes in 32.9% more expensive on MSRP at $380 MSRP versus $286 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3820 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 33.2% better value on paper (20.2 vs 15.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Core i7-4800MQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3820 vs Core i7-4800MQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

Core i7-4800MQ

The Core i7-4800MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,773 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3820 and Core i7-4800MQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4800MQ — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-3820 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-4800MQ uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820 scores 5,787 against the Core i7-4800MQ's 5,773 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-3820. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4800MQ.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Core i7-4800MQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+3%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	10240 kB (total)+25%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	5,787	5,773
Geekbench 6 Single	624	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-4800MQ uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Core i7-4800MQ
Socket	LGA2011	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820) / not specified (Core i7-4800MQ). Primary use case: Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Core i7-4800MQ
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	HEDT Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3820 was priced at $286, while the Core i7-4800MQ came in at $380. On launch pricing ($286 vs $380), Core i7-3820 was $94 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3820 delivers 20.2 pts/$ vs 15.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-4800MQ — making the Core i7-3820 the 28.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Core i7-4800MQ
MSRP	$286-25%	$380
Performance per Dollar	20.2+33%	15.2
Release Date	2012	2013

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