Intel Core i5-4670 vs Intel Core i7-3740QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4670 and the Intel Core i7-3740QM represent two different approaches to the same generation of silicon, but the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent winner in the mobile part. Despite the i5-4670 having a higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 2.70 GHz) and boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz), the i7-3740QM wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. This is a direct result of the i7's additional threads, which allow it to outpace the desktop chip in both multi-core and single-core workloads. The data indicates that the i7-3740QM holds a lead of approximately 4% across all tested Cinebench versions, making it the stronger processor in every measured scenario.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the recorded data is the uniformity of the i7-3740QM's victory. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the i7-3740QM scores 489 against the i5-4670's 469, a 4.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 69 for the i7 versus 66 for the i5, a 4.3% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-3740QM posts 2040 multi-core and 288 single-core, while the i5-4670 manages 1957 and 275 respectively. That translates to a 4.1% edge in multi-core and a 4.5% edge in single-core. The trend continues in Cinebench R23, where the i7-3740QM scores 4859 multi-core and 686 single-core, beating the i5-4670's 4660 and 657 by 4.1% and 4.2% respectively.

The consistent delta of roughly 4% across every test is notable because it suggests the i7-3740QM's advantage is structural, not workload-specific. The i5-4670 never once takes the lead, and the closest margin is the 4.1% in R15 multi-core. The i7-3740QM also has a Geekbench result in the database, scoring 1993 multi-core and 599 single-core, though the i5-4670 has no corresponding Geekbench score for direct comparison. When placed against the wider field, the i7-3740QM has an average benchmark score of 1378, which is 2.3% higher than the i5-4670's 1347. Both processors sit at the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance, but within that tier the i7-3740QM is measurably faster.

The i5-4670's closest rival in the database is the Intel Core i5-7400T, which has an average score of 1348, a 0.1% difference. The i7-3740QM's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, which scores 1379, a 0% delta. These rival comparisons reinforce the idea that both chips are entry-level performers by modern standards, but the i7-3740QM sits at the top of its immediate peer group while the i5-4670 sits near the bottom of its own. The i7-3740QM also outperforms the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (1376 average, 0.2% delta) among its nearest rivals, showing that its thread advantage carries weight even against newer parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. Despite the lower clocks, the i7-3740QM wins every benchmark.

Q: Does the i7-3740QM support more threads?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-3740QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4670 has 4 cores and 4 threads. This thread advantage is the primary reason for the i7's consistent benchmark lead.

Q: How much faster is the i7-3740QM in single-core tests?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-3740QM scores 686 versus the i5-4670's 657, a 4.2% advantage. The gap is slightly larger in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i7 leads by 4.5% (288 versus 275).

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670 has a TDP of 84 watts, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM has a TDP of 45 watts. The mobile i7 achieves higher performance while drawing significantly less power.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670 comes with Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM has Intel HD 4000. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so no performance comparison is available.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Core i5-4670 (Haswell) and the Intel Core i7-3740QM (Ivy Bridge) are built on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry, and both use 1,400 million transistors.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: the Intel Core i7-3740QM is the faster processor. It wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with a minimum margin of 4.1% and a maximum of 4.5%. The i5-4670's higher clock speeds (3.80 GHz boost versus 3.70 GHz boost) are not enough to overcome the i7-3740QM's thread count. If the decision is purely about raw compute performance, the i7-3740QM is the correct choice.

The i5-4670 does have some advantages that matter outside of pure CPU benchmarks. It uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform, which is a desktop socket with upgrade potential, whereas the i7-3740QM uses the soldered Intel BGA 1224 mobile socket. The i5-4670 also has a higher TDP of 84 watts, which in a desktop context allows for more sustained performance without thermal throttling, though the benchmark scores do not reflect this. For a builder who already owns an LGA 1150 motherboard, the i5-4670 is the practical option, but for anyone comparing the two chips as standalone processors, the i7-3740QM is the better performer.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-4670 has 4 threads, while the i7-3740QM has 8 threads. The base clock differs significantly: 3.40 GHz for the i5-4670 versus 2.70 GHz for the i7-3740QM. The boost clock is closer, with the i5-4670 at 3.80 GHz and the i7-3740QM at 3.70 GHz. The TDP is a major divergence: 84 watts for the desktop chip versus 45 watts for the mobile chip. The sockets are entirely different: the i5-4670 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3740QM uses Intel BGA 1224. The integrated graphics also differ, with the i5-4670 featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i7-3740QM featuring Intel HD 4000. The i7-3740QM has no listed PCIe generation, while the i5-4670 supports PCIe Gen 3. Both use dual-channel memory and do not support ECC memory. The die size differs slightly: 177 mm² for the i5-4670 versus 160 mm² for the i7-3740QM. The i5-4670 has a listed part number (SR14D), while the i7-3740QM does not.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process node and use 1,400 million transistors, but they come from different microarchitectures. The i5-4670 is based on Haswell, while the i7-3740QM is based on Ivy Bridge. Both have 4 physical cores, but the i7-3740QM adds Hyper-Threading to reach 8 threads, which the i5-4670 lacks. The cache layout is identical: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support differs in that the i5-4670 explicitly lists DDR3 support, while the i7-3740QM does not list a memory type in the database. Both processors use a dual-channel memory bus. The integrated graphics are different generations: HD 4600 on the Haswell chip and HD 4000 on the Ivy Bridge chip. The i7-3740QM was released earlier (September 2012) than the i5-4670 (June 2013), and the newer Haswell architecture brings architectural improvements, but the benchmark data shows that the i7-3740QM's thread advantage outweighs the architectural generation gap.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3740QM wins in every category that the database measures. It is faster in all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both multi-core and single-core. The margins range from 4.1% to 4.5%, which is a consistent and meaningful lead. The i7-3740QM also has a higher average benchmark score (1378 versus 1347) and sits at a higher position relative to its nearest rivals. For any workload that benefits from additional threads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or multitasking, the i7-3740QM is the clear winner.

The Intel Core i5-4670 does not win a single benchmark, but it does have advantages in non-performance areas. It offers a desktop socket (LGA 1150) that allows for easier upgrades and cooling solutions, while the i7-3740QM is a soldered mobile part. The i5-4670 also has a higher TDP, which in a desktop chassis means it can sustain its clock speeds without the power constraints of a laptop. For a user who is building a desktop PC and already has an LGA 1150 motherboard, the i5-4670 is the only practical choice between the two, despite its lower benchmark scores. For a user who is choosing between these two CPUs for a new build, the i7-3740QM's performance lead is decisive, but its BGA socket makes it unsuitable for socketed desktop use. The data shows that the i7-3740QM is the stronger processor, but the i5-4670 is the only one that fits a standard desktop motherboard.