Intel Core i5-7400T vs Intel Core i7-3820QM Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core i7-3820QM wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, dominating all Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i5-7400T wins the remaining 2 comparisons, taking both Geekbench tests. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i7-3820QM records 1366 against the i5-7400T's 1348, a difference of roughly 1.3%. Both processors sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

For users whose workloads rely on Cinebench-style rendering, the i7-3820QM is the clear choice. Its multi-core advantage in Cinebench R15 is 20%, and that margin holds consistently across R20 and R23. For users whose workloads correlate with Geekbench's measurement methodology, the i5-7400T is the better option, with a 40.7% lead in single-core performance and a 28.7% lead in multi-core performance.

The architecture comparison explains the divergence. The i7-3820QM is a 2012 mobile processor with 8 threads, while the i5-7400T is a 2017 desktop processor with 4 threads. The newer Kaby Lake design brings a smaller process node and higher per-clock efficiency, but the older Ivy Bridge chip compensates with simultaneous multithreading and a higher boost clock.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3820QM belongs to the Ivy Bridge generation, built on a 22 nm process node. It packs 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-7400T belongs to the Kaby Lake generation, built on a 14 nm process node, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

Both processors have 4 physical cores. The i7-3820QM supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i5-7400T supports only 4 threads. This thread advantage is central to the i7's Cinebench wins.

Cache allocation differs. The i7-3820QM has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-7400T has identical L1 and L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7's larger shared cache aligns with its higher thread count.

Clock speeds favor the i7-3820QM. It runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, compared to the i5-7400T's 2.40 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. The i7-3820QM also carries a higher TDP of 45 watts versus 35 watts for the i5-7400T.

Socket and market segment differ substantially. The i7-3820QM uses Intel BGA 1224 and targets mobile devices. The i5-7400T uses Intel Socket 1151 and targets desktop systems. The i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only); the i7-3820QM's memory support is not recorded in the database, though it does use dual-channel memory.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i7-3820QM ships with Intel HD 4000, while the i5-7400T ships with HD 630. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-7400T has an active production status, while the i7-3820QM's production status is not recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820QM boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-7400T boosts to 3.00 GHz. The i7 also runs higher at base, 2.70 GHz versus 2.40 GHz.

Q: Does the i7-3820QM support more threads than the i5-7400T?

A: Yes. The i7-3820QM supports 8 threads across 4 cores, while the i5-7400T supports 4 threads across 4 cores. This gives the i7 a 20% advantage in all Cinebench multi-core tests.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench testing?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400T wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 1014 in single-core versus 601 for the i7-3820QM, a 40.7% lead. In multi-core, it scores 2864 versus 2041, a 28.7% lead.

Q: What are the cache sizes for each processor?

A: Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The i7-3820QM has 8 MB of shared L3, while the i5-7400T has 6 MB of shared L3.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The i7-3820QM is from the Ivy Bridge generation, released in 2012. The i5-7400T is from the Kaby Lake generation, released in 2017.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400T has a TDP of 35 watts, lower than the i7-3820QM's 45 watts. The i5-7400T also uses a newer 14 nm process node versus the i7's 22 nm node.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Threads: 8 for the i7-3820QM, 4 for the i5-7400T
• Base clock: 2.70 GHz for the i7-3820QM, 2.40 GHz for the i5-7400T
• Boost clock: 3.70 GHz for the i7-3820QM, 3.00 GHz for the i5-7400T
• TDP: 45 watts for the i7-3820QM, 35 watts for the i5-7400T
• Socket: Intel BGA 1224 for the i7-3820QM, Intel Socket 1151 for the i5-7400T
• Architecture: Ivy Bridge for the i7-3820QM, Kaby Lake for the i5-7400T
• Process node: 22 nm for the i7-3820QM, 14 nm for the i5-7400T
• Transistors: 1,400 million for the i7-3820QM, not recorded for the i5-7400T
• Die size: 160 mm² for the i7-3820QM, not recorded for the i5-7400T
• L3 cache: 8 MB shared for the i7-3820QM, 6 MB shared for the i5-7400T
• Memory support: DDR4 for the i5-7400T, not recorded for the i7-3820QM
• Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s for the i5-7400T, not recorded for the i7-3820QM
• PCIe: Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) for the i5-7400T, not recorded for the i7-3820QM
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 4000 for the i7-3820QM, HD 630 for the i5-7400T
• Market segment: Mobile for the i7-3820QM, Desktop for the i5-7400T
• Production status: Active for the i5-7400T, not recorded for the i7-3820QM
• Release date: 2012-04-28 for the i7-3820QM, 2017-01-02 for the i5-7400T
• Part number: SR0MK for the i7-3820QM, SR332 for the i5-7400T

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is remarkably consistent within each benchmark suite. In Cinebench, the i7-3820QM wins every test with nearly identical margins. In Geekbench, the i5-7400T wins every test with large margins.

Cinebench R15: The i7-3820QM scores 481 multi-core against 401 for the i5-7400T, a 20% advantage. In single-core, the i7 scores 67 against 56, a 19.6% advantage.

Cinebench R20: The i7-3820QM scores 2006 multi-core against 1672, again a 20% advantage. In single-core, the i7 scores 283 against 236, a 19.9% advantage.

Cinebench R23: The i7-3820QM scores 4777 multi-core against 3981, a 20% advantage. In single-core, the i7 scores 674 against 562, a 19.9% advantage.

The uniformity of these margins across three Cinebench versions suggests a structural advantage. The i7's thread count and higher clocks combine to deliver a stable 20% lead in rendering workloads.

Geekbench: The results reverse sharply. The i5-7400T scores 1014 single-core versus 601 for the i7-3820QM, a 40.7% advantage. In multi-core, the i5 scores 2864 versus 2041, a 28.7% advantage.

The Geekbench gap is much larger than the Cinebench gap. The i5-7400T's newer Kaby Lake architecture and higher per-core efficiency likely explain the single-core result. The multi-core result is notable because the i7 has twice the threads, yet the i5 still wins by 28.7%. This indicates that Geekbench's workload scaling favors the i5's architectural efficiency over raw thread count.

The average benchmark scores nearly offset these differences. The i7-3820QM averages 1366 across all recorded tests, while the i5-7400T averages 1348. The i7's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon D-1521, scores 1367 with a delta of -0.1%. The i5's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-4670, scores 1347 with a delta of 0%.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-3820QM wins in Cinebench workloads. All three Cinebench versions, R15, R20, and R23, show a consistent 20% multi-core lead over the i5-7400T. Single-core Cinebench results also favor the i7, though by a slightly smaller margin of roughly 19.6% to 19.9%. These tests reward the i7's 8 threads and higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz. Users running rendering tasks or other workloads that scale with thread count should favor the i7-3820QM.

Intel Core i5-7400T wins in Geekbench workloads. The i5-7400T leads by 40.7% in single-core and 28.7% in multi-core. The single-core margin is particularly decisive. These tests reward the i5's newer Kaby Lake architecture, which delivers higher instructions per clock despite lower clock speeds. The i5's 14 nm process node and 6 MB of L3 cache contribute to this efficiency. Users running applications that match Geekbench's measurement patterns, especially single-threaded tasks, should favor the i5-7400T.

The i7-3820QM holds an overall win count advantage. With 6 wins against 2 losses, the i7 is the more consistent performer across the recorded benchmark suite. Its average benchmark score of 1366 edges out the i5's 1348. However, the i5-7400T's Geekbench victories are decisive, and the i5 offers lower power consumption at 35 watts TDP.

Market segment matters. The i7-3820QM is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1224, while the i5-7400T is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1151. The i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3, making it more suitable for modern desktop builds. The i7-3820QM comes from an older generation with a higher TDP of 45 watts and no recorded memory support details.

Both processors sit at the 36th percentile. The database ranks both at the same percentile among all CPUs, and their average scores differ by only 18 points. The choice between them depends entirely on the benchmark suite that matches the user's workload. Cinebench-oriented tasks point to the i7-3820QM; Geekbench-oriented tasks point to the i5-7400T.