Intel Core i5-7300HQ vs Intel Core i7-3840QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7300HQ and Intel Core i7-3840QM are two mobile processors from different Intel generations. The i5-7300HQ is a Kaby Lake part, while the i7-3840QM is an Ivy Bridge part. The database records show that the i5-7300HQ has a slightly higher average benchmark score, but the i7-3840QM wins most head-to-head tests. This analysis breaks down the architecture, benchmarks, and specifications to clarify where each processor excels.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3840QM has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 4 threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds?

A: The i5-7300HQ runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The i7-3840QM runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-3840QM scores 4952, while the i5-7300HQ scores 4316, giving the i7 a 12.8% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i5-7300HQ scores 1052, while the i7-3840QM scores 628, a 67.5% lead for the i5.

Q: What is the L3 cache size difference?

A: The i5-7300HQ has 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the i7-3840QM has 8 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The i5-7300HQ is built on a 14 nm process, while the i7-3840QM uses a 22 nm process.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The i5-7300HQ is based on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, while the i7-3840QM is based on Ivy Bridge. The manufacturing process differs as well: the i5 uses a 14 nm node, the i7 uses a 22 nm node. This is reflected in the die size: the i5 measures 126 mm², the i7 measures 160 mm². The i7 also lists a transistor count of 1,400 million, while the i5 does not provide one.

Both processors have 4 physical cores, but the i7 supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, whereas the i5 has only 4 threads. The L1 and L2 caches are identical per core: 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. The L3 cache differs: the i5 has 6 MB shared, the i7 has 8 MB shared.

Memory support also differs. The i5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i7 only supports DDR3. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5 has a PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 does not list PCIe information. Integrated graphics are different: the i5 includes Intel HD Graphics 630, the i7 includes Intel HD 4000.

The socket types are not interchangeable: the i5 uses Intel BGA 1440, the i7 uses Intel BGA 1224. The release dates are far apart: the i5 was released on January 2, 2017, while the i7 was released on September 2, 2012. The i5 is marked as end-of-life, while the i7 has no production status listed. The i5 has a launch MSRP of $250; the i7 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records eight head-to-head benchmark results. The i7-3840QM wins six of them, all in the Cinebench suite. The i5-7300HQ wins the two Geekbench tests.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 498 against the i5's 434, a delta of -12.9% for the i5. The single-core test shows 70 vs 61, also -12.9%. Cinebench R20 multi-core: i7 2079, i5 1812, delta -12.8%. Single-core: 293 vs 255, delta -13%. Cinebench R23 multi-core: i7 4952, i5 4316, delta -12.8%. Single-core: 699 vs 609, delta -12.9%. The i7 leads by roughly 13% across all Cinebench tests.

The Geekbench results flip the picture. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5 scores 3044 against the i7's 2111, a 44.2% advantage. In single-core, the i5 scores 1052 against 628, a 67.5% lead. These are substantial margins.

The average benchmark score in the database is 1448 for the i5 and 1416 for the i7, so the i5 holds a slight overall edge. The i5 also has a higher percentile rank: 38th percentile versus 37th for the i7. The nearest rivals for the i5 include the AMD Opteron 6378 with a delta of 0% and the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 with a delta of 0.2%. For the i7, the nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U and the Intel Core i5-4460, both with a delta of 0.1%.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-7300HQ | Intel Core i7-3840QM |

|----------------|----------------------|----------------------|

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1224 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Ivy Bridge |

| Process node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die size | 126 mm² | 160 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| L3 cache | 6 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics 630 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Release date | January 2, 2017 | September 2, 2012 |

| Launch MSRP | $250 | Not listed |

| Production status | End-of-life | Not listed |

| Part number | SR32S | SR0UU |

Both processors share 4 cores, a 45 W TDP, dual-channel memory, and a locked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3840QM wins every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, in both multi-core and single-core. This indicates a consistent advantage in rendering workloads. The i7's higher base and boost clocks (2.80/3.80 GHz vs 2.50/3.50 GHz) and its 8 threads likely contribute to this. The i7 also has a larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). For users running Cinebench or similar multi-threaded rendering tasks, the i7 is the stronger choice.

The i5-7300HQ wins both Geekbench tests, with a particularly large margin in single-core (67.5%). The i5's newer Kaby Lake architecture and 14 nm process may explain its superior performance in this benchmark. The i5 also supports DDR4 memory, which could affect memory-sensitive workloads. For general-purpose computing as measured by Geekbench, the i5 is clearly ahead.

In the database's aggregate, the i5 has a higher average benchmark score (1448 vs 1416) and a higher percentile (38 vs 37). This suggests that, on average, the i5 performs better across a mix of workloads. However, the i7's dominance in Cinebench cannot be ignored.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-7300HQ is the better overall processor. It has a higher average benchmark score, a higher percentile rank, and wins the Geekbench tests by large margins. Its 14 nm process and Kaby Lake architecture give it a modern edge. The i5 also supports DDR4 memory, which the i7 does not.

The Intel Core i7-3840QM, however, is the clear winner in Cinebench. It leads by about 13% in every Cinebench test, thanks to its higher clocks and 8 threads. For users whose primary workload is rendering or other multi-threaded tasks that resemble Cinebench, the i7 is the better choice.

In summary, the i5-7300HQ is recommended for general computing and single-threaded performance, while the i7-3840QM is recommended for multi-threaded rendering workloads. The i5's higher average score and percentile make it the safer pick for a balanced system.