Intel Core i3-4370 vs Intel Core i7-2720QM Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4370 and Intel Core i7-2720QM are two very different processors that nonetheless land in the same performance tier. The data shows the i7-2720QM wins every single head-to-head benchmark, yet the i3-4370 matches its average score almost exactly. This is a classic case of a modern dual-core desktop chip with high clock speeds facing off against an older quad-core mobile chip with more threads but a much lower base clock. The i7-2720QM is the faster part in every measured test, but the i3-4370 stays competitive through sheer clock speed advantage and architectural efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 has an average benchmark score of 1130, while the Intel Core i7-2720QM scores 1128. The difference is only 2 points, making them effectively identical in overall standing.

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

A: The i7-2720QM wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3417 versus the i3-4370's 3284, a 3.9% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the margin is 344 versus 330, a 4.1% advantage.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The i7-2720QM has 4 physical cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4370 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads. The i7 also has a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache compared to the i3's 4 MB.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The i3-4370 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz with no boost clock, while the i7-2720QM has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i3 runs at a much higher sustained frequency.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The i3-4370 was released on 2014-07-20, while the i7-2720QM was released on 2011-01-02. The i3 is over three years newer and is built on a 22 nm process versus the i7's 32 nm node.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both chips are in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs tracked. This places them at the same relative performance level despite their different architectures and market segments.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-2720QM is the faster processor. It wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from 3.9% to 4.1%. The only category where the i3-4370 does not lose is the average benchmark score, where it edges ahead by 2 points (1130 versus 1128) — a statistical tie.

For users who need raw multi-threaded performance, the i7-2720QM is the clear pick. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide a consistent advantage in every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23. The i3-4370, with only 2 cores and 4 threads, cannot overcome the core-count deficit even though it runs at a 1.60 GHz higher base clock.

However, the i3-4370 is a desktop part on Socket 1150 with a 54 W TDP, while the i7-2720QM is a mobile part on BGA 1224 with a 45 W TDP. The i3 is not a drop-in replacement for the i7, and vice versa. The i7-2720QM is marked as end-of-life, while the i3-4370 has no production status listed. The i3 also features Intel HD 4600 graphics versus the i7's Intel HD 3000. For anyone building a desktop system and choosing between these two, the i3-4370 offers comparable single-thread scores at a much lower power draw per core, but the i7-2720QM is strictly superior in compute benchmarks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-2720QM dominates the i3-4370 across the board, but the margins are surprisingly narrow given the architectural gap. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 344 against the i3's 330, a 4.1% difference. This pattern holds steady through Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7 leads 1435 to 1379, and Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads 3417 to 3284. Both of those are 3.9% margins.

Single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2720QM scores 202 versus the i3's 194, a 4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7 scores 482 against the i3's 463, again a 3.9% lead. The i3-4370's higher base clock of 3.80 GHz helps it stay close, but the i7's 3.30 GHz boost clock on a newer architecture core keeps it ahead even in single-threaded workloads.

The i7-2720QM also has additional benchmark data not available for the i3-4370. In Geekbench multi-core, the i7 scores 1535, and in Geekbench single-core, it scores 484. These results are not part of the head-to-head comparison because the i3-4370 lacks Geekbench scores, but they reinforce the i7's standing as the more complete performer.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The i3-4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-2720QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i3's base clock is 3.80 GHz with no boost clock, whereas the i7 runs at 2.20 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. TDP favors the mobile chip: the i7 draws 45 W versus the i3's 54 W.

Socket compatibility is entirely different. The i3-4370 uses Intel Socket 1150 for desktop builds, while the i7-2720QM uses Intel BGA 1224 for laptop installations. The i3 supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus and PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-2720QM has no memory support or PCIe information listed. The i3 does not support ECC memory, and neither does the i7.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-4370 ships with Intel HD 4600, while the i7-2720QM includes Intel HD 3000. The i3 is not multiplier-unlocked, and neither is the i7. The i7-2720QM has a part number of SR00W and is marked as end-of-life, while the i3-4370 has no part number or production status listed.

Architecture Differences

The i3-4370 is built on Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process, manufactured by Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The i7-2720QM uses Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process, with 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. The newer process node gives the i3 a transistor density advantage, but the i7 compensates with more cores and a larger cache.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The i3-4370 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-2720QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7's 50% larger L3 cache helps it feed its extra cores and threads more effectively.

The i3-4370 belongs to the Core i3 (Haswell) generation, while the i7-2720QM is part of the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation. The i3's integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600, which is a generation newer than the i7's Intel HD 3000. The i3 also uses PCIe Gen 3, while the i7 has no PCIe specification listed. The i7's mobile design with BGA 1224 socket means it is soldered onto motherboards, whereas the i3's Socket 1150 allows for socketed desktop installation.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2720QM wins in every scenario where benchmark scores matter. It takes all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, with consistent 3.9% to 4.1% margins. The i7's 4 cores and 8 threads make it the better choice for heavily threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D modeling, and compilation tasks. Its 6 MB L3 cache and boost clock up to 3.30 GHz provide additional headroom for bursty workloads.

The i3-4370's only victory is in average benchmark score, where its 1130 edges out the i7's 1128 by a negligible 0.2%. This tie is more about the i3's high 3.80 GHz base clock keeping single-threaded performance competitive than about any overall superiority. The i3 also has a newer integrated GPU (HD 4600 versus HD 3000), which matters for systems without a discrete graphics card.

For desktop builders, the i3-4370 offers a lower TDP of 54 W versus the i7's 45 W, but that TDP advantage goes to the mobile chip. The i3's Socket 1150 makes it upgradeable and serviceable, while the i7-2720QM is a soldered mobile part. However, the i7-2720QM is end-of-life, which may affect long-term availability. The data shows no scenario where the i3-4370 outperforms the i7-2720QM in compute benchmarks. The i7-2720QM is simply the faster processor, and the i3-4370 is the closer competitor in single-threaded tasks but still loses there by 3.9% to 4%.