Intel Core i3-4370T vs Intel Core i7-2920XM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data paints a remarkably one-sided picture in direct comparisons. Across the five shared benchmark tests, the Intel Core i7-2920XM wins every single contest, with margins that are strikingly consistent. This is not a case of one chip edging ahead in a few workloads; the i7-2920XM dominates in both multi-core and single-core scenarios.

Starting with multi-core performance, the i7-2920XM posts a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 353, which is 23% higher than the i3-4370T's score of 287. The margin remains nearly identical in newer Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i7-2920XM scores 1471 versus 1199 for the i3-4370T, a delta of 22.7%. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test tells the same story: the i7-2920XM's 3504 outpaces the i3-4370T's 2856 by 22.7%. The consistency of these deltas, all hovering around 23%, suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

Single-core results follow the same pattern, which is notable because the i3-4370T has a significantly higher base clock of 3.30 GHz compared to the i7-2920XM's 2.50 GHz. Despite that clock disadvantage, the i7-2920XM still leads in Cinebench R20 single-core with 207 points versus 169, a 22.5% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-2920XM scores 494 against 403, a 22.6% lead. The i3-4370T has no boost clock at all, while the i7-2920XM can reach 3.50 GHz under load, which partially explains why the older chip wins despite the lower base frequency.

The i7-2920XM also shows its strength in the broader benchmark database. Its average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 995, while the i3-4370T averages 983. That is a slim 1.2% difference in aggregate, but the head-to-head tests show a much larger gap in the specific workloads where both were measured. The i7-2920XM sits at the 27th percentile of all CPUs, while the i3-4370T is just below at the 26th percentile. Both are low in the overall distribution, which reflects their age and end-of-life status, but the i7-2920XM consistently ranks slightly higher.

The nearest rivals in the database reinforce the positioning of each chip. The i7-2920XM's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-2635QM, which matches its average score of 995 with a 0% delta. The AMD Opteron 4226 also ties at 995. The Intel Core i3-8130U is nearly identical at 994, just 0.1% behind, and the Intel Xeon W3565 scores 993, a 0.2% gap. For the i3-4370T, the closest rival is the Intel Xeon X3470 at 983 with a 0% delta. The Intel Core i3-4130T scores 984, which is 0.1% higher, and the Intel Core i7-875K also scores 984, 0.1% ahead. The Intel Xeon W5590 scores 986, 0.3% above the i3-4370T. These rivalries show that both chips sit in a dense cluster of similarly performing processors, but the i7-2920XM edges out its counterpart in every shared benchmark.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous about which processor delivers higher raw performance. The Intel Core i7-2920XM wins 5 out of 5 head-to-head benchmark tests, with margins between 22.5% and 23%. There is no recorded test where the i3-4370T comes out ahead. If the priority is maximum compute throughput in the specific workloads measured, the i7-2920XM is the clear choice.

However, the i7-2920XM is a mobile processor launched in early 2011, while the i3-4370T is a desktop chip from early 2015. The i7-2920XM carries a launch MSRP of $1096, and its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking. The i3-4370T has a launch MSRP of $138 and a locked multiplier. These are very different market positions, and the benchmark results should be read with that context in mind. The i7-2920XM was designed as an extreme mobile part, while the i3-4370T was a low-power desktop offering.

For users who need the highest scores in Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the i7-2920XM is the better part. Its 8 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading on 4 cores, give it a clear multi-core advantage. Its single-core scores also lead, despite the i3-4370T's higher base clock. The i7-2920XM's boost clock of 3.50 GHz likely plays a role here, as the i3-4370T has no boost capability.

The i3-4370T is not without its merits. It uses a newer 22 nm process node compared to the i7-2920XM's 32 nm, which contributes to its lower 35 W TDP versus 55 W. It also supports PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-2920XM is limited to Gen 2. Its integrated graphics, Intel HD 4600, is a later generation than the i7-2920XM's Intel HD 3000. But in terms of raw CPU benchmark scores, the i7-2920XM wins every recorded contest.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2920XM wins in every benchmark category where both were tested. Multi-core workloads show a consistent 22.7% to 23% advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This makes sense given the i7-2920XM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4370T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The extra threads provide a substantial parallel processing benefit in multi-threaded rendering tasks.

Single-core workloads also favor the i7-2920XM, with a 22.5% lead in Cinebench R20 and a 22.6% lead in Cinebench R23. This is more surprising because the i3-4370T runs at 3.30 GHz base, which is 32% higher than the i7-2920XM's 2.50 GHz base. The i7-2920XM's boost clock of 3.50 GHz narrows the clock gap, but the i7-2920XM still has to overcome the clock disadvantage. The data suggests the i7-2920XM's architecture, based on Sandy Bridge, must have a higher instructions-per-clock efficiency in these tests. The i3-4370T, despite its newer Haswell architecture, cannot compensate for its lack of boost clock and lower thread count.

The i3-4370T has no recorded wins in the head-to-head benchmarks. Its only advantages are in the specification sheet, not in measured performance. It has a lower TDP of 35 W, a smaller die size of 177 mm², more transistors at 1,400 million, and newer PCIe Gen 3 support. It also has a much lower launch MSRP of $138. But in terms of actual benchmark scores, the i7-2920XM is ahead in every test.

For users prioritizing power efficiency or modern platform features, the i3-4370T might be preferable. Its 35 W TDP is significantly lower than the i7-2920XM's 55 W, which could matter in compact or thermally constrained desktop builds. Its HD 4600 integrated graphics is a newer iteration than the HD 3000 in the i7-2920XM. However, for pure computational performance in the Cinebench suite, the i7-2920XM is the winner across the board.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2920XM has an average benchmark score of 995, while the Intel Core i3-4370T averages 983.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The i7-2920XM leads by 23% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 22.7% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 22.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: Does the i3-4370T win any single-core tests?

A: No. The i7-2920XM leads in single-core tests by 22.5% in Cinebench R20 and 22.6% in Cinebench R23.

Q: What is the thread count difference?

A: The i7-2920XM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4370T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which chip has a lower TDP?

A: The i3-4370T has a TDP of 35 W, compared to the i7-2920XM's 55 W.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i7-2920XM is based on Sandy Bridge, built on a 32 nm process node. The i3-4370T uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node. This process shrink means the i3-4370T packs more transistors, 1,400 million, into a smaller die size of 177 mm², while the i7-2920XM has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The newer process node contributes to the i3-4370T's lower power draw.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the i7-2920XM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4370T has only 4 MB. This doubling of L3 cache likely helps the i7-2920XM in workloads that benefit from larger on-chip data storage.

The i7-2920XM is part of the Core i7 Extreme lineup, a mobile segment designation. It uses Intel Socket G2 (988B) and has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The i3-4370T is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1150, with a locked multiplier. The i7-2920XM also has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the i3-4370T has no boost capability, running only at its 3.30 GHz base clock.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-2920XM includes Intel HD 3000, while the i3-4370T includes Intel HD 4600. The HD 4600 is a later generation and generally more capable, though no specific graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database for either chip.

PCIe support also differs. The i7-2920XM offers PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the i3-4370T offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This makes the i3-4370T more suitable for modern expansion cards that can take advantage of the higher bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields. The i7-2920XM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4370T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the i7-2920XM and 3.30 GHz for the i3-4370T. The i7-2920XM has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz; the i3-4370T has no boost clock.

TDP ratings are 55 W for the i7-2920XM and 35 W for the i3-4370T. The i7-2920XM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i3-4370T uses Intel Socket 1150. The i7-2920XM is a mobile processor, while the i3-4370T is a desktop processor.

L3 cache is 8 MB shared for the i7-2920XM versus 4 MB shared for the i3-4370T. The i7-2920XM has an unlocked multiplier, the i3-4370T is locked. The i7-2920XM supports PCIe Gen 2, the i3-4370T supports PCIe Gen 3. The integrated graphics are HD 3000 for the i7-2920XM and HD 4600 for the i3-4370T.

Process nodes are 32 nm for the i7-2920XM and 22 nm for the i3-4370T. Transistor counts are 1,160 million versus 1,400 million. Die sizes are 216 mm² versus 177 mm². The i7-2920XM was released in early 2011, while the i3-4370T was released in early 2015. The launch MSRP is $1096 for the i7-2920XM and $138 for the i3-4370T. Part numbers are SR02E for the i7-2920XM and SR1TB for the i3-4370T.