Intel Core i3-10305T vs Intel Core i7-7820HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7820HQ and Intel Core i3-10305T are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target different worlds: the former is a 45W mobile part from the Kaby Lake-H generation, while the latter is a 35W desktop chip from the Comet Lake-R series. Benchmark results are unambiguous: the i3-10305T wins every single head-to-head test, from Cinebench R15 to R23, with margins consistently around 8.4-8.5%. The i7-7820HQ, despite its higher-tier naming and original launch MSRP of $378, cannot match the newer i3 in raw performance, making the i3-10305T the clear pick for anyone who can use a desktop socket and does not need the i7's mobile pedigree.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: choose the Intel Core i3-10305T if performance is your priority. It outperforms the i7-7820HQ across every benchmark in the comparison set, including a 9.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (6647 vs 6084) and a 9.3% lead in single-core (938 vs 858). The i3 also consumes less power on paper, with a 35W TDP versus the i7's 45W, and it uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1200) rather than the i7's mobile BGA 1440, which means it can be paired with standard desktop motherboards. The i7-7820HQ's only advantages are its integrated graphics branding (Intel HD Graphics 630 vs UHD Graphics 630) and its wider memory support (DDR3 and DDR4 vs DDR4 only), but neither compensates for a 0-6 benchmark defeat. For a desktop build, the i3-10305T is the data-backed winner; the i7-7820HQ remains a viable option only if you specifically need a mobile processor with its particular socket and memory flexibility.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel's 14nm process and share the same core configuration: 4 cores, 8 threads, with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 cache per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the architectures differ significantly. The i7-7820HQ uses the Kaby Lake architecture (codename Kaby Lake-H), part of the Core i7 generation, and has a die size of 126 mm². The i3-10305T uses the Comet Lake architecture (codename Comet Lake-R), belonging to the Core 10th Gen series, and its die size is not listed in the data. Clock speeds also favor the i3: it has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the i7 has a 2.90 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. Both support DDR4 memory, but the i7 adds DDR3 support, while the i3 lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s (the i7's bandwidth is not specified). Both have dual-channel memory buses, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, and lack ECC support. The i7 was released in January 2017 and is end-of-life, while the i3 was released in March 2021 and remains active. The i7's launch MSRP was $378; the i3's was $143. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-10305T dominates every benchmark in the comparison. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 669 versus the i7's 613, a delta of -8.4% (negative meaning the i7 trails). Single-core R15 shows 94 vs 86, a -8.5% gap. The pattern holds in Cinebench R20: multi-core 2791 vs 2555 (-8.5%), single-core 393 vs 360 (-8.4%). In Cinebench R23, the i3 posts 6647 vs 6084 in multi-core (-8.5%) and 938 vs 858 in single-core (-8.5%). The Geekbench results are not part of the head-to-head set, but the i7's standalone Geekbench multi-core score is 3748 and single-core is 1215, which are below what the i3's Cinebench wins suggest for a comparable test. The i7's average benchmark score is 1940, placing it in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs, while the i3's average is 1922, also in the 43rd percentile. This is a rare case where a lower-tier product (i3) beats a higher-tier one (i7) in every measured discipline, with margins that are remarkably consistent, never straying from the 8.4-8.5% band across six tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock, and by how much?

A: The Intel Core i3-10305T has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-7820HQ's 3.90 GHz, a difference of 0.10 GHz in favor of the i3.

Q: Are both processors manufactured on the same process node?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-7820HQ and Intel Core i3-10305T are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, and both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: What is the L3 cache size for each CPU?

A: Both processors have 8 MB of shared L3 cache, along with identical per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) caches.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No, both the Intel Core i7-7820HQ and Intel Core i3-10305T do not support ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-7820HQ has a higher average benchmark score of 1940, compared to the Intel Core i3-10305T's 1922, despite losing all head-to-head tests. This is because the average includes different benchmark suites.

Q: Which processor is newer, and what is its production status?

A: The Intel Core i3-10305T was released on March 15, 2021, and is marked as Active, while the Intel Core i7-7820HQ was released on January 2, 2017, and is end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-10305T wins in every performance category measured by the head-to-head benchmarks. It is consistently ahead in both multi-core and single-core workloads across three versions of Cinebench (R15, R20, R23), with margins ranging from 8.4% to 8.5%. This makes it the better choice for CPU-bound tasks such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and general productivity that scales with Cinebench scores. It also has a lower TDP (35W vs 45W), which suggests better energy efficiency for desktop use, and it is an active product with a more recent release date, meaning it may have better long-term availability. The i3's desktop socket (Intel Socket 1200) enables easier upgrades and repairs compared to the i7's mobile BGA 1440.

The Intel Core i7-7820HQ's wins are not in performance but in specific features. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the i3 only supports DDR4, making the i7 more flexible for users with older memory modules. The i7 also has a higher average benchmark score (1940 vs 1922) when considering a broader set of benchmarks beyond the head-to-head suite, although this does not translate into any single test victory. Its integrated graphics is listed as Intel HD Graphics 630, versus the i3's UHD Graphics 630, and the i7's mobile form factor with a 45W TDP might be preferable for specialized embedded or mobile applications that require that specific socket and power envelope. However, for anyone comparing raw compute power, the i3-10305T is the winner in all six head-to-head tests, making it the default recommendation for desktop builds. The i7-7820HQ is only the right pick if the mobile socket, DDR3 support, or its particular integrated graphics implementation are hard requirements, as its performance is strictly inferior according to the data.