AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Core i7-3720QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3720QM and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors, yet they represent vastly different design eras. The data reveals a split verdict: the older Intel part wins the multi-core Cinebench R23 test decisively, while the AMD chip dominates in single-core performance and the newer R15 benchmark. Both processors land at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, with nearly identical average benchmark scores (1421 for Intel, 1415 for AMD), placing them in the same performance tier overall despite their architectural differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic result in the dataset is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Intel Core i7-3720QM scores 4718 against the Ryzen 7 2700U's 3603. This represents a 30.9% advantage for Intel, a substantial margin that flips the expected narrative given the Ryzen's newer architecture. In Geekbench multi-core, Intel also edges ahead, scoring 2457 versus 2411, a narrow 1.9% lead that falls within run-to-run variance but still favors the older chip.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U, however, wins the remaining four head-to-head comparisons. The single-core results are particularly lopsided: in Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD scores 886 against Intel's 666, a 24.8% advantage. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows an even larger gap, with AMD at 143.5 and Intel at just 66, a 54% deficit for the Intel part. Geekbench single-core also favors AMD, 804 versus 726, a 9.7% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test goes to AMD as well, 644 versus 475, a 26.2% margin.

These results tell a clear story: the Ryzen 7 2700U is dramatically stronger in lightly-threaded workloads, while the Intel i7-3720QM holds its ground or wins in heavily-threaded scenarios, particularly in the more modern Cinebench R23 test. The Geekbench multi-core gap is small enough to be considered a statistical tie, but the R23 multi-core result is a definitive Intel victory. Notably, the R15 multi-core result contradicts the R23 multi-core result, with AMD winning R15 by 26.2% but losing R23 by 30.9%. This suggests the two processors respond very differently to the workload changes between these benchmark versions.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3720QM is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses the Zen architecture (codename Raven Ridge) on a 14 nm node from GlobalFoundries, packing 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The transistor count difference is substantial — AMD's chip has over 3.5 times more transistors — but the Intel chip's smaller process node allows it to fit in a much smaller physical package.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly between the two. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. This means the Ryzen has more per-core cache at the L1 and L2 levels, while Intel has a larger shared L3 pool.

The clock speeds also diverge. The Intel i7-3720QM has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Ryzen 7 2700U starts lower at 2.20 GHz base but boosts higher to 3.80 GHz. Both processors are locked, with no unlocked multiplier. The Intel chip has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD part is rated at just 15 watts, a threefold difference in power envelope. This explains why the AMD chip can be found in thinner, lighter laptops, while the Intel part requires more substantial cooling.

Memory support differs as well: the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a specified memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel part lists no specific memory type but also uses a dual-channel bus. The AMD chip exposes PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part has no PCIe specification listed. Integrated graphics also differ: Intel uses the HD 4000, while AMD pairs its chip with the Radeon RX Vega 10. Both processors lack ECC memory support.

The Verdict

The data supports a nuanced conclusion. The Intel Core i7-3720QM is the better choice for multi-threaded workloads that scale with the Cinebench R23 test, where it leads by 30.9%. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 2457 is also the higher of the two, though by a slim 1.9% margin. Users running modern multi-core rendering or encoding tasks that resemble R23 would see a clear benefit from the Intel chip.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the better choice for single-threaded performance and for the specific workload represented by Cinebench R15. Its single-core scores are superior across all three benchmark suites (R15, R23, and Geekbench), with leads ranging from 9.7% to 54%. The R15 multi-core result also favors AMD by 26.2%, suggesting that certain multi-threaded workloads that align with the R15 test would run better on the Ryzen.

The power envelope is a decisive differentiator. The 45-watt TDP of the Intel part versus the 15-watt TDP of the AMD chip means the Ryzen 7 2700U can be deployed in more portable systems, while the Intel part requires a thicker chassis with more robust cooling. Since both processors sit at the same 37th percentile overall and have nearly identical average scores (1421 vs 1415), the choice between them should be driven by the specific benchmark profile of the intended workload and the physical design constraints of the target laptop.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM has an average benchmark score of 1421, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U scores 1415. The difference is less than 0.5%, placing them in the same performance tier.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U in single-core Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD chip scores 143.5 versus Intel's 66 in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, a 54% advantage for AMD.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i7-3720QM have its largest win?

A: The Intel part's largest win is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 4718 against AMD's 3603, a 30.9% lead.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads, though they use different architectures (Ivy Bridge for Intel, Zen for AMD).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM has a 45-watt TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a 15-watt TDP, making the AMD chip significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3720QM wins in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 30.9%, showing a clear advantage in modern multi-threaded rendering workloads. It also edges out the AMD chip in Geekbench multi-core by 1.9%, suggesting broader multi-threaded application performance is essentially equal, with Intel holding a slight edge. The Intel chip's larger 6 MB L3 cache and 45-watt TDP likely contribute to its sustained multi-core performance, as the higher power budget allows for more aggressive operation under load.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins in four of the six head-to-head benchmarks. Its single-core victories are comprehensive: 54% in Cinebench R15, 24.8% in Cinebench R23, and 9.7% in Geekbench. These results indicate that day-to-day tasks like web browsing, office applications, and other lightly-threaded software will feel noticeably snappier on the AMD chip. The AMD part also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test by 26.2%, a surprising result given the Intel win in R23 multi-core. The Ryzen's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches (96 KB and 512 KB versus 64 KB and 256 KB) may explain its single-core superiority, while its higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz provides additional headroom for short bursts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3720QM | AMD Ryzen 7 2700U |

|---|---|---|

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Series | null | 2000 series |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Zen |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Raven Ridge |

| Generation | Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) | Ryzen 7 (Zen (Raven Ridge)) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 210 mm² |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1224 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | null | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | null | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | null | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Radeon RX Vega 10 |

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2017-10-25 |

| Part Number | SR0MM | YM2700C4T4MFB |

| Production Status | null | Active |