Intel Core i7-3615QE vs Intel Core i7-3740QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3615QE and Intel Core i7-3740QM are both 45-watt, quad-core Ivy Bridge mobile processors from the same generation, but the data shows they are not equals. Across every single benchmark in the comparison, the i7-3740QM comes out ahead, albeit by a narrow margin. The i7-3615QE wins zero head-to-head tests, while the i7-3740QM sweeps all six. This is a straightforward case of a higher-clocked sibling offering a consistent, if modest, performance edge across the board.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent in their direction. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3740QM scores 489 against the i7-3615QE's 481, a delta of -1.6% from the 3615QE's perspective. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 69 versus 67, a -2.9% difference. This pattern holds through the newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the 3740QM hits 2040 while the 3615QE manages 2005, a -1.7% gap. The single-core R20 test is nearly identical in proportional terms: 288 versus 283, again -1.7%. The R23 results mirror this exactly, with the 3740QM scoring 4859 multi-core and 686 single-core against the 3615QE's 4774 and 674, both representing a -1.7% delta. The i7-3740QM also has a Geekbench result in the fact pack—1993 multi-core and 599 single-core—while the i7-3615QE has no corresponding Geekbench score listed for comparison.

What these numbers mean in practice is a small but real advantage for the i7-3740QM. A -1.7% delta is not a transformative difference; it is the kind of margin you would expect from a clock speed bump rather than an architectural overhaul. The i7-3615QE is not a slow processor in absolute terms—its average benchmark score is 1381, which puts it at the 36th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-3740QM's average score is 1378, also at the 36th percentile, which shows that the overall performance class is essentially identical. Both processors sit in the same competitive tier, with the i7-3615QE's nearest rivals including the AMD Opteron 6238 (1383, -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U (1379, 0.2%). The i7-3740QM's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 (1379, 0%), showing that both Intels are trading blows with entry-level Ryzen parts from a later generation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3740QM wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4859 against the i7-3615QE's 4774, a -1.7% delta. The R20 multi-core result is 2040 versus 2005, also -1.7%.

Q: Is the single-core performance gap larger than the multi-core gap?

A: In most tests, the gap is the same. The R20 single-core delta is -1.7% (288 vs 283) and the R23 single-core delta is also -1.7% (686 vs 674). The R15 single-core test shows a larger gap at -2.9% (69 vs 67), but this is an outlier.

Q: Do these processors have the same architecture?

A: Yes. Both are based on the Ivy Bridge architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process at Intel. They share the same codename, "Ivy Bridge," and belong to the same "Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)" generation.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The i7-3615QE has an average benchmark score of 1381, while the i7-3740QM has an average of 1378. The difference is negligible; both land at the 36th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the i7-3615QE and the i7-3740QM have a locked multiplier, meaning the multiplier is not unlocked for user overclocking.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-3740QM has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the i7-3615QE boosts to 3.30 GHz. This 0.40 GHz difference is the primary driver of the benchmark deltas.

Architecture Differences

There is no architectural gulf between these two chips. Both are built on the same 22 nm Ivy Bridge process at Intel, using 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. They share the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Both support dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC memory. The integrated graphics are identical—Intel HD 4000—so there is no difference in iGPU capability that would affect a purchase decision. The only meaningful architectural distinction is the socket: the i7-3615QE uses Intel BGA 1023, while the i7-3740QM uses Intel BGA 1224. This means they are not drop-in interchangeable; a motherboard designed for one will not accept the other without an adapter or rework. Since both are mobile parts soldered to the board, this is a critical distinction for anyone considering a repair or upgrade path.

The lack of architectural differences is underscored by their benchmark behavior. The consistent -1.7% deltas across R20 and R23 multi-core and single-core tests indicate that the performance gap is purely a function of clock speed, not IPC or cache efficiency. If the 3740QM had a different cache arrangement or a newer core design, you would expect the delta to vary more across test types. Instead, the uniform margin points to a straightforward frequency advantage. Neither chip has a 3D V-Cache option, and both lack any PCIe information in the fact pack, so there is nothing to separate them on that front.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet highlights a few key differences, though most fields are identical. The base clock differs: the i7-3615QE runs at 2.30 GHz, while the i7-3740QM runs at 2.70 GHz. The boost clock likewise favors the 3740QM at 3.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. Both have the same 45 W TDP, four cores, and eight threads. The socket is different, as noted: BGA 1023 for the 3615QE versus BGA 1224 for the 3740QM. The release dates are a few months apart, with the 3615QE launching on 2012-04-28 and the 3740QM on 2012-09-02, but this does not translate into a significant performance difference. The part number for the 3615QE is listed as SR0NC, while the 3740QM has no part number in the data. Neither chip has a launch MSRP listed, so there is no pricing information to factor into the comparison. Both are locked, both have the same cache, and both use the same integrated graphics.

The absence of a memory support field for either chip means we cannot compare maximum memory speeds or capacities. The fact pack lists memory bus as dual-channel for both, but no bandwidth figure is provided. This is a gap, but given the identical architecture and clock-for-clock behavior, it is unlikely that memory support differs in any meaningful way.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3740QM wins everywhere. In every Cinebench test—R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core—it posts a higher score. The margin is small, ranging from -1.6% to -2.9%, but it is consistent. If you are choosing between these two for a laptop or a compact system, the 3740QM is the better pick for any workload that benefits from higher clock speeds. That includes lightly threaded tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and older games that rely on single-core performance, where the 3740QM's 686 R23 single-core score versus 674 for the 3615QE gives it a slight edge. Multi-threaded workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering also favor the 3740QM, as shown by its 4859 R23 multi-core score against 4774.

The i7-3615QE does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its winsA count is zero. However, it is not a bad processor in isolation. Its average benchmark score of 1381 is actually slightly higher than the 3740QM's 1378, which is an artifact of the different benchmark sets used to calculate each average. The 3615QE's nearest rival, the AMD Opteron 6238, scores 1383, showing that this chip is competitive with server-class parts from the same era. The 3615QE's advantage lies in its socket—BGA 1023—which may be more common in certain OEM laptops or embedded systems. If you already own a system with that socket, the 3615QE is a capable mobile processor that holds its own against entry-level Ryzen parts like the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U, which scores 1379 and is listed as a rival with a +0.2% delta.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors is dictated by the socket and the clock speed. The i7-3740QM is the superior chip in every measurable way: it has a higher base clock (2.70 GHz vs 2.30 GHz), a higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.30 GHz), and it wins all six head-to-head benchmarks. The performance delta is modest—around 1.7% in most tests—but it is real and consistent. Anyone building or upgrading a system around the BGA 1224 socket should choose the 3740QM without hesitation. It offers better single-threaded responsiveness and slightly better multi-threaded throughput for the same 45 W TDP.

The i7-3615QE is not a poor choice in a vacuum. Its average score of 1381 and 36th percentile ranking put it in the same performance class as the 3740QM, and its nearest rivals are all within a fraction of a percent. The problem is that it loses to the 3740QM in every test, and the only reason to pick it is if your motherboard requires the BGA 1023 socket. In that case, the 3615QE is a solid Ivy Bridge quad-core with a 3.30 GHz boost and 6 MB of L3 cache. But if you have the option of either socket, the data is unambiguous: the i7-3740QM is the faster part, and the 0.40 GHz boost clock advantage is the reason. Choose the 3740QM for maximum performance, and only fall back to the 3615QE if your platform dictates it.