Core i7-4600U vs Core m3-7Y32

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 i7-4600U vs Core m3-7Y32 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 i7-4600U vs Core m3-7Y32: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4600U

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌11277.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 4.5W.

Core m3-7Y32

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 5W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4600U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,697 vs 2,720).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i7-4600U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4600U better than Core m3-7Y32?

Yes. Core i7-4600U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4600U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% 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 i7-4600U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-4600U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-4600U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m3-7Y32 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core m3-7Y32 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4600U vs Core m3-7Y32 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4600U

The Core i7-4600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,720 points. Launch price was $398.

Core m3-7Y32

The Core m3-7Y32 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,697 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4600U and Core m3-7Y32 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-4600U versus 3 GHz on the Core m3-7Y32 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4600U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-4600U uses the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core m3-7Y32 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4600U scores 2,720 against the Core m3-7Y32's 2,697 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-4600U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4600U vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y32.

Feature	Core i7-4600U	Core m3-7Y32
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+91%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-ULT (2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,720	2,697

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4600U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-7Y32 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.