Core i7-3820QM vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Intel

Core i7-3820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023

Core i7-3820QM vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Performance Spectrum

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 i7-3820QM vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 i7-3820QM vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3820QM

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 45W instead of 120W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 31 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (5,607 vs 34,293).
  • ❌Older platform position on PGA988, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +160.5% higher average FPS across 31 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of PGA988 and older memory support.
  • βœ…75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $449 MSRP, while Core i7-3820QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌166.7% higher power demand at 120W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Core i7-3820QM?
Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 160.5% average FPS lead across 31 shared CPU game tests in our data, 511.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 160.5% more average FPS across 31 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 8 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 511.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1100% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in at an unclear MSRP at $449 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 160.5% average FPS lead across 31 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2012), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of PGA988, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 8 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-3820QM vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-3820QM

The Core i7-3820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013) 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: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,607 points. Launch price was $498.

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022βˆ’2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i7-3820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3820QM versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D β€” a 29.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 2.7 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i7-3820QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022βˆ’2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820QM scores 5,607 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 β€” a 143.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 604 vs 2,700, a 126.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3820QM vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeatureCore i7-3820QMRyzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
5 GHz+35%
Base Clock
2.7 GHz
4.4 GHz+63%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
96 MB (total)+1100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
22 nm
5 nm-77%
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022βˆ’2023)
PassMark
5,607
34,293+512%
Cinebench R23 Multi
β€”
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
604
2,700+347%
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
15,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3820QM versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D β€” the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 225% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3820QM) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) β€” the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3820QM) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeatureCore i7-3820QMRyzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
PGA988
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR5-5200+225%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
128 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
28+75%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports AVX-512 instructions β€” important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820QM) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). Both include integrated graphics β€” HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3820QM) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) β€” useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3820QM targets High Performance Laptop, Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820QM rivals A10-4600M; Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureCore i7-3820QMRyzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
High Performance Laptop
Gaming