Intel Core i3-N305 vs Intel Core i7-7920HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a clear split between the two processors, with the Intel Core i3-N305 winning 5 of the 8 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-7920HQ takes the remaining 3. The most dramatic difference appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i3-N305 scores 164.7 against the i7-7920HQ's 87, a 47.2% advantage. This is the largest margin in any test, and it reflects a fundamental generational gap in single-thread efficiency.

In multi-core workloads, the picture is more nuanced. The i3-N305 leads decisively in Cinebench R15 multi-core with 829 versus 619, a 25.3% edge, and in Cinebench R20 multi-core with 3349 versus 2583, a 22.9% margin. The i3-N305 also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by the same 22.9% delta, scoring 472 against 364. These results indicate that the newer Gracemont architecture delivers substantially higher throughput in short-duration rendering tasks, despite having a lower base clock specification.

However, the i7-7920HQ fights back in longer workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the older chip scores 6151 versus 5092, a 20.8% victory. This reversal suggests that sustained multi-core performance favors the Kaby Lake part, likely due to its higher thermal design power allowing consistent boost behavior. The i7-7920HQ also wins Geekbench multi-core, scoring 3999 against 3881, a modest 3% margin, and Geekbench single-core with 1267 versus 1049, a 20.8% advantage.

The single-core Geekbench result is particularly telling: the i7-7920HQ leads by 20.8%, yet it trails badly in Cinebench R15 single-core. This discrepancy points to different workload sensitivities, with the i3-N305 excelling in short, bursty single-thread tasks while the i7-7920HQ holds up better in more complex single-thread evaluations. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3-N305 still wins with 995 versus 868, a 12.8% margin, but the gap is narrower than in R15.

Overall, the data shows the i3-N305 dominates in older Cinebench versions and short rendering tasks, while the i7-7920HQ takes the lead in the newest multi-core test and both Geekbench metrics. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i7-7920HQ at 1992 and the i3-N305 at 1979, placing both at the 44th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals confirm this parity: the i7-7920HQ matches the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X at 0% delta, while the i3-N305 sits 0.1% above the Intel Core i5-7600K.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ wins Geekbench single-core with 1267 points, compared to 1049 for the Intel Core i3-N305, a 20.8% advantage.

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

A: The i7-7920HQ scores 6151, which is 20.8% higher than the i3-N305's 5092. This is the largest multi-core win for the older processor.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in either direction?

A: The i3-N305's 47.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (164.7 versus 87) is the largest margin recorded in the head-to-head results.

Q: Do both processors have the same overall performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 44th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are 1992 for the i7-7920HQ and 1979 for the i3-N305, a difference of less than 1%.

Q: Which chip wins more head-to-head tests?

A: The i3-N305 wins 5 of the 8 tests, while the i7-7920HQ wins 3.

Q: Are the nearest rivals different for each processor?

A: Yes. The i7-7920HQ's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X at 0% delta, while the i3-N305's closest is the Intel Core i5-7600K at 0.1% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i7-7920HQ uses Kaby Lake, a 14 nm design with 4 cores and 8 threads. Its base clock is 3.10 GHz with a boost of 4.10 GHz. The i3-N305 uses Gracemont, a 10 nm architecture with 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning it has no hyper-threading despite having double the core count. Its base clock is listed at 100.00 GHz, which is clearly a data artifact, but its boost clock is 3.80 GHz.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i7-7920HQ has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i3-N305 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 6 MB of shared L3. The larger L1 in the i3-N305 likely contributes to its single-core wins in short burst tests. The i7-7920HQ's larger L3 pool may help in sustained workloads.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i7-7920HQ supports DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel memory. The i3-N305 supports DDR4 and DDR5 but is limited to single-channel memory, with a specified bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. This memory configuration could explain why the i3-N305 loses in Geekbench multi-core despite having more cores: the single-channel bus may bottleneck data throughput.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-7920HQ pairs with Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i3-N305 includes UHD Graphics 770. Both are integrated solutions, but the newer i3-N305's graphics unit is from a later generation. The i7-7920HQ uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the i3-N305 uses Intel BGA 1264. PCIe lanes also differ: 16 lanes on the i7-7920HQ versus 9 lanes on the i3-N305, both Gen 3.

Process node is a major factor: 14 nm for Kaby Lake versus 10 nm for Gracemont. The smaller node allows the i3-N305 to pack 8 cores into a 15 W TDP, whereas the i7-7920HQ consumes 45 W for 4 cores. The die size for the i7-7920HQ is 126 mm², while the i3-N305's die size is not recorded. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear use-case split. The i3-N305 is the stronger choice for short rendering tasks and single-thread burst performance, as evidenced by its wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 across both multi-core and single-core tests. Its 47.2% lead in R15 single-core and 22.9% margins in R20 tests make it the better performer in quick, interactive workloads. The lower 15 W TDP also suggests it can sustain these results in thermally constrained mobile chassis.

The i7-7920HQ is the better option for sustained multi-core rendering and general single-thread complexity. Its 20.8% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 20.8% lead in Geekbench single-core indicate that when workloads run longer or involve more varied instructions, the older architecture holds its ground. The 45 W TDP allows higher sustained boost clocks, which likely explains the R23 reversal.

For users prioritizing Geekbench-style metrics, the i7-7920HQ wins both multi-core and single-core, with margins of 3% and 20.8% respectively. For users running Cinebench R15 or R20, the i3-N305 is clearly superior. The average benchmark scores are virtually tied, so neither chip has an overall performance crown. The decision rests entirely on workload type and power constraints.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The i7-7920HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-N305 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz versus 100.00 GHz (the latter is clearly anomalous), with boosts of 4.10 GHz and 3.80 GHz respectively. TDP is 45 W for the i7-7920HQ and 15 W for the i3-N305.

Cache differences are substantial: 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core for the i7-7920HQ, versus 96 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per module for the i3-N305. Shared L3 is 8 MB versus 6 MB. Memory support goes from DDR3/DDR4 with dual-channel on the old chip to DDR4/DDR5 with single-channel on the new one. The i3-N305 has a specified memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-7920HQ has none recorded.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1440 versus Intel BGA 1264. Architecture is Kaby Lake versus Gracemont, process node is 14 nm versus 10 nm, and die size is 126 mm² versus not recorded. PCIe lanes are 16 versus 9, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics are HD Graphics 630 versus UHD Graphics 770. The i7-7920HQ was released in 2017 and is end-of-life, while the i3-N305 was released in 2023 and is active. Launch MSRP values are $568 for the i7-7920HQ and $309 for the i3-N305.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-N305 wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 across the board. Its multi-core scores are 25.3% and 22.9% higher respectively, and its single-core scores are 47.2% and 22.9% higher. These tests are shorter in duration, which plays to the Gracemont architecture's efficiency strengths. The 8-core design, even without hyper-threading, provides raw parallelism that the 4-core i7-7920HQ cannot match in these bursts. The 10 nm node and larger L1 cache per core likely drive the single-core advantages.

The i7-7920HQ wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a 20.8% margin, and in Geekbench both multi-core (3%) and single-core (20.8%). The R23 result is the most telling: it is a longer, more demanding render test, and the 45 W TDP allows the i7-7920HQ to maintain higher clocks over time. The dual-channel memory support also helps feed the cores more effectively in sustained workloads, which may explain the Geekbench multi-core win despite having half the cores.

For single-thread complexity, the Geekbench single-core result is a decisive win for the i7-7920HQ. The 1267 score versus 1049 represents a 20.8% advantage, which offsets the i3-N305's lead in Cinebench single-core tests. This suggests that the Kaby Lake architecture handles more varied instruction mixes better, while Gracemont excels at repetitive rendering loops.

In terms of use cases, the i3-N305 is suited for lightweight mobile devices where power efficiency matters, given its 15 W TDP and active production status. The i7-7920HQ, despite being end-of-life, remains competitive in scenarios requiring sustained multi-core throughput and complex single-thread execution. The 3% Geekbench multi-core win for the i7-7920HQ, though small, shows that core count alone does not determine multi-threaded performance, especially when memory bandwidth differs between dual-channel and single-channel configurations.