Core i7-740QM vs Pentium Gold 4425Y

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 i7-740QM vs Pentium Gold 4425Y 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 i7-740QM vs Pentium Gold 4425Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-740QM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,842 vs 1,854).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 4425Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold 4425Y

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-740QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).
❌1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-740QM better than Pentium Gold 4425Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-740QM is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4425Y pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-740QM also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4425Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-740QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-740QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium Gold 4425Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold 4425Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-740QM vs Pentium Gold 4425Y Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Gold 4425Y

The Pentium Gold 4425Y 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,854 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold 4425Y 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 1.7 GHz on the Pentium Gold 4425Y — a 53.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-740QM (base: 1.73 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i7-740QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Gold 4425Y uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-740QM scores 1,842 against the Pentium Gold 4425Y's 1,854 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium Gold 4425Y. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-740QM vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 4425Y.

Feature	Core i7-740QM	Pentium Gold 4425Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz+72%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.73 GHz+2%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	1,842	1,854

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold 4425Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.