Core i7-720QM vs Core i3-3110M

CPU

GPU

Core i7-720QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009

Core i3-3110M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-720QM

4 / 8

1,658

+0.1%

1,656

0.0%

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.

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 i7-720QM is positioned at rank 1218 and the Core i3-3110M is on rank 917, so the Core i3-3110M 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 i7-720QM

#1206

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

6448%

#1207

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

6354%

#1208

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

5833%

#1209

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

5807%

#1210

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

5753%

#1212

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

5556%

#1213

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

5327%

#1214

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

5319%

#1215

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

5176%

#1218

Core i7-720QM

MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A

100%

#1219

Pentium U5400

MSRP: $289|Avg: $214

98%

#1220

Pentium T2330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $7

97%

#1221

Z-01

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

95%

#1222

Pentium T2310

MSRP: $150|Avg: $14

92%

#1223

Celeron SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

89%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

89%

#1225

Core i7-660UM

MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A

89%

#1226

C-30

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

88%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

86%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

83%

#1232

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

73%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

62%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3110M

#905

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1595%

#906

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1571%

#907

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1442%

#908

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1436%

#909

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1423%

#911

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1374%

#912

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1317%

#913

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1315%

#914

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1280%

#917

Core i3-3110M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#919

Core i5-8365UE

MSRP: $297|Avg: $297

99%

#921

A6 Pro-7050B

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

99%

#923

Athlon II N370

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

98%

#928

A8-6410

MSRP: $100|Avg: $40

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-720QM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-3110M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.1% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i7-720QM	Core i3-3110M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($364)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-720QM	Core i3-3110M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($364)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 i7-720QM Benchmark Check

Core i3-3110M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-720QM and Core i3-3110M

Core i7-720QM

The Core i7-720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $546.

Core i3-3110M

The Core i3-3110M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,656 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-3110M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-720QM versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-3110M — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-720QM (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-720QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3110M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-720QM scores 1,658 against the Core i3-3110M's 1,656 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-720QM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-720QM vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3110M.

Feature	Core i7-720QM	Core i3-3110M
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+17%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.4 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,658	1,656
Geekbench 6 Single	—	424
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	846

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-720QM versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3110M — the Core i7-720QM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3110M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-720QM) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77 (Core i3-3110M).

Feature	Core i7-720QM	Core i3-3110M
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333+44333%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8	32 GB+419430300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-720QM) vs VT-x (Core i3-3110M). The Core i3-3110M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i7-720QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3110M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-720QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000; Core i3-3110M rivals AMD A8-4500M.