Core i7-4720HQ vs Core i7-3740QM

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-4720HQ is positioned at rank 974 and the Core i7-3740QM is on rank 761, so the Core i7-3740QM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4720HQ

#962

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1940%

#963

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1912%

#964

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1755%

#965

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1747%

#966

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1731%

#968

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1672%

#969

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1603%

#970

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1601%

#971

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1558%

#974

Core i7-4720HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#977

Phenom II X2 N640

MSRP: $100|Avg: $55

100%

#978

A10-8700P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

99%

#982

Athlon II Neo K125

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

99%

#986

Pro A8-8600B

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3740QM

#748

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1094%

#749

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1078%

#750

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

990%

#751

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

985%

#752

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

976%

#754

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

943%

#755

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

904%

#756

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

903%

#757

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

878%

#760

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#761

Core i7-3740QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#766

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#771

Core i7-9750HF

MSRP: $395|Avg: $395

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3740QM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-4720HQ is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-4720HQ	Core i7-3740QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-4720HQ	Core i7-3740QM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-4720HQ Benchmark Check

Core i7-3740QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4720HQ and Core i7-3740QM

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

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

Feature	Core i7-4720HQ	Core i7-3740QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,714	5,710

🧠

Memory & Platform

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