Core i7-740QM vs Core i3-4100E

Core i7-740QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2010

Core i3-4100E

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-740QM

4 / 8

1,842

0.0%

1,848

+0.3%

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 i7-740QM is positioned at rank 1209 and the Core i3-4100E is on rank 1127, so the Core i3-4100E 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 i7-740QM

#1197

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

6025%

#1198

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

5936%

#1199

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

5450%

#1200

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

5425%

#1201

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

5375%

#1203

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

5191%

#1204

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

4977%

#1205

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

4969%

#1206

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

4836%

#1209

Core i7-740QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

100%

#1211

Core 2 Solo SU3300

MSRP: $262|Avg: $50

98%

#1212

Celeron 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

97%

#1213

Celeron U3600

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

96%

#1216

Core 2 Quad Q9000

MSRP: $348|Avg: $15

94%

#1217

Core i5-2537M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

94%

#1218

Core i7-720QM

MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A

93%

#1219

Pentium U5400

MSRP: $289|Avg: $214

91%

#1220

Pentium T2330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $7

91%

#1221

Z-01

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

88%

#1222

Pentium T2310

MSRP: $150|Avg: $14

86%

#1223

Celeron SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

84%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

83%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4100E

#1114

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3574%

#1115

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3521%

#1116

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3233%

#1117

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3218%

#1118

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3189%

#1120

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3079%

#1121

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2952%

#1122

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2948%

#1123

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2868%

#1126

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

100%

#1127

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#1128

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1129

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

100%

#1130

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

100%

#1131

Core m5-6Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1133

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

99%

#1134

Core i5-4288U

MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A

95%

#1135

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1136

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

94%

#1137

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

94%

#1138

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1140

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

93%

#1141

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-740QM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-4100E is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-740QM	Core i3-4100E
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)	✅ More affordable ($30)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-4100E stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 92% cheaper ($30 vs $378) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-740QM	Core i3-4100E
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1164%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($378)	✅ More affordable ($30)

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 i7-740QM Benchmark Check

Core i3-4100E Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-740QM and Core i3-4100E

Core i7-740QM

The Core i7-740QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,842 points. Launch price was $546.

Core i3-4100E

The Core i3-4100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) 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: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,848 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-4100E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-740QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-740QM versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4100E — a 19.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-740QM (base: 1.73 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-740QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4100E uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-740QM scores 1,842 against the Core i3-4100E's 1,848 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-4100E. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-740QM vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4100E.

Feature	Core i7-740QM	Core i3-4100E
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz+22%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.73 GHz	2.4 GHz+39%
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)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,842	1,848
Geekbench 6 Single	—	550

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4100E uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-740QM versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4100E — the Core i7-740QM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4100E supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-740QM) and QM87,HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4100E).

Feature	Core i7-740QM	Core i3-4100E
Socket	PGA988	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333+44333%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8	16 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-740QM) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-4100E). The Core i3-4100E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-740QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i7-740QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000; Core i3-4100E rivals Embedded R-Series.