AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Core i7-3840QM Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the Intel Core i7-3840QM averages 1416, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U averages 1415. This places them within 0.1% of each other, and both sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-3840QM wins decisively in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 4952 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U's 3603. That is a 37.4% advantage for Intel in this specific test.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U have a single-core advantage?

A: Yes, the data shows a clear single-core lead for AMD. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 7 2700U scores 886 versus Intel's 699, a 21.1% edge. The gap is even larger in Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD leads 143.5 to 70, a 51.2% difference.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i7-3840QM has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a TDP of 15 watts. This makes the AMD processor a substantially lower-power part, which is a major factor for mobile designs.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-3840QM has a larger L3 cache at 8 MB shared, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U's 4 MB shared. However, the AMD chip has larger L1 and L2 caches per core: 96 KB and 512 KB respectively, versus Intel's 64 KB and 256 KB.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-3840QM is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture and was released in 2012, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is a Zen-based Raven Ridge part released in 2017. The manufacturing process also differs: Intel uses 22 nm, while AMD uses 14 nm.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3840QM and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U represent two very different design philosophies and eras. Intel's chip is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process at Intel's own foundry. AMD's part uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, built on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This generational gap is immediately visible in the transistor counts: Intel packs 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die, while AMD fits 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die.

Both processors feature 4 cores and 8 threads, making them logically equivalent in core count. However, their cache hierarchies diverge significantly. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, alongside an 8 MB shared L3 cache. AMD counters with 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. This means Intel has the advantage in total L3 capacity, while AMD has more per-core L1 and L2 resources.

Memory support also differs. The Intel chip uses DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the AMD part supports DDR4 with a rated memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD processor also exposes PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Intel chip's PCIe configuration is not listed in the data. Integrated graphics are another point of separation: Intel ships the HD 4000, while AMD includes the Radeon RX Vega 10.

The physical platforms are incompatible. Intel uses the BGA 1224 socket, while AMD uses Socket FP5. The Intel chip has a 45 W TDP, three times higher than AMD's 15 W TDP. This power disparity is a fundamental architectural choice, reflecting Intel's older, less efficient process versus AMD's newer, more power-savvy design. AMD's part is also marked as "Active" in production status, while Intel's is not, suggesting the older chip has been phased out.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results tell a story of a split personality. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins 5 of the 6 head-to-head tests, but the Intel Core i7-3840QM takes the one that matters most for heavily threaded modern workloads. Let's break down each result.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD wins with a score of 644 versus Intel's 498, a 22.7% advantage. This is a strong early lead for the Ryzen part. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: AMD scores 143.5 against Intel's 70, a 51.2% gap. That is a massive generational improvement in per-thread performance.

However, the tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, Intel comes back with a score of 4952 against AMD's 3603, giving Intel a 37.4% win. This is the largest margin in either direction across all tests. It is notable that the older Intel architecture performs so well in this particular workload, likely due to its larger L3 cache and higher base clock of 2.80 GHz versus AMD's 2.20 GHz.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD reasserts dominance with 886 versus 699, a 21.1% lead. Geekbench results follow a similar pattern: AMD wins multi-core 2411 to 2111 (12.4% margin) and single-core 804 to 628 (21.9% margin). The overall win tally is 5-1 in favor of AMD, but the Intel win in R23 multi-core is substantial enough to keep the average scores nearly tied.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear verdict: the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the superior processor for the vast majority of workloads. It wins in 5 of 6 benchmarks, including all single-core tests and the Geekbench suite. Its advantages range from 12.4% to 51.2%, with the largest gap coming in Cinebench R15 single-core. Additionally, it accomplishes this with a 15 W TDP, which is one-third of Intel's 45 W TDP. This combination of performance and efficiency makes it the better choice for mobile systems where battery life and thermals are critical.

The Intel Core i7-3840QM is not without merit. Its 37.4% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core shows that it can outperform the AMD part in specific heavily threaded scenarios. This is likely due to its higher sustained clock capability and larger L3 cache. However, this single win does not offset AMD's broader dominance across the other five tests.

For users prioritizing modern single-core performance, power efficiency, and memory bandwidth, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the clear pick. For those running workloads that resemble Cinebench R23's multi-threaded pattern, the Intel chip may offer better raw throughput. But given the overall benchmark data and the massive TDP advantage, the Ryzen 7 2700U is the recommended processor for most buyers.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i7-3840QM has a base clock of 2.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U runs at 2.20 GHz. Both boost to 3.80 GHz. The TDP difference is stark: Intel at 45 W versus AMD at 15 W. The process node is 22 nm for Intel and 14 nm for AMD, with transistor counts of 1,400 million versus 4,950 million. Die size is 160 mm² versus 210 mm².

Cache configurations differ as described: Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3; AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 for Intel and DDR4 for AMD, with AMD listing a specific bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The sockets are incompatible: BGA 1224 versus FP5. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000 versus Radeon RX Vega 10. The release dates are 2012 for Intel and 2017 for AMD. Intel's architecture is Ivy Bridge, while AMD's is Zen (Raven Ridge). The AMD part is listed as "Active" in production, while Intel's status is not specified. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins in most benchmark categories, making it the general-purpose champion. It dominates all single-core tests: 51.2% ahead in Cinebench R15 single-core, 21.1% ahead in R23 single-core, and 21.9% ahead in Geekbench single-core. It also wins Geekbench multi-core by 12.4% and Cinebench R15 multi-core by 22.7%. These results indicate that the AMD processor is better for everyday tasks, single-threaded applications, and most productivity workloads. The 15 W TDP also makes it ideal for thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is limited.

The Intel Core i7-3840QM has exactly one benchmark win, but it is a significant one. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel leads by 37.4% (4952 versus 3603). This suggests that for sustained, heavily multi-threaded workloads that stress the CPU for extended periods, the Intel chip may offer higher performance. The larger L3 cache and higher base clock likely contribute to this result. However, this advantage comes at the cost of triple the TDP, which means it requires more robust cooling and power delivery.

The use-case split is straightforward. Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U for general computing, single-threaded performance, and power-sensitive mobile designs. Choose the Intel Core i7-3840QM only if your specific workload mirrors Cinebench R23 multi-core and you can accommodate the higher power draw. In all other measured scenarios, the AMD processor is the data-backed winner.