Intel Core i7-3820 vs Intel Core i7-4710HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data in the database shows a clear and consistent pattern: the Intel Core i7-3820 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i7-4710HQ. The victory margin is narrow but uniform across every test, ranging from a 4.3% advantage to a 4.8% advantage for the older Sandy Bridge-E desktop part.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i7-4710HQ records a score of 472 points against the Core i7-3820's 496 points, a delta of 4.8% in favor of the desktop chip. The single-core test shows a similar spread, with scores of 66 points for the mobile part and 69 points for the desktop part, a 4.3% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i7-4710HQ scores 1970 points while the i7-3820 reaches 2067 points, a difference of 4.7%. The R20 single-core numbers continue the trend: 278 points for the i7-4710HQ and 291 points for the i7-3820, a 4.5% edge.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results in the database reinforce the overall takeaway. The i7-4710HQ achieves a multi-core score of 4692 points compared to 4923 points for the i7-3820, a 4.7% gap. In R23 single-core performance, the mobile processor records 662 points against 695 points for the desktop processor, ending with a 4.7% difference. Notably, the i7-4710HQ scores lower in every single head-to-head test category available in the database.

The average benchmark score from the broader benchmark suite tells a slightly different story. The i7-4710HQ carries an average benchmark score of 1473 points across its full set of recorded tests, placing it in the 38th percentile of all CPUs tested. The i7-3820, meanwhile, averages 1424 points across its recorded benchmarks and sits in the 37th percentile of all CPUs. Looking at nearest rivals in the database, the i7-4710HQ sits within a tight cluster relative to the scores of the Intel Core i5-5575R at 1478 points, the Intel Core i5-7500T at 1483 points, the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 at 1465 points, and the Intel Core i3-7350K at 1462 points. The deltas are small, from 0.8% to -0.7%. The i7-3820 is similarly clustered around the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 at 1422 points, the Intel Core i5-4570S at 1426 points, the Intel Core i7-3720QM at 1421 points, and the AMD Opteron 4274 HE at 1420 points, with deltas between 0.3% and -0.2%.

What the head-to-head numbers indicate is that the i7-3820 is consistently ahead of the i7-4710HQ by roughly 4% to 5% in the six matched Cinebench workloads. The single-core deltas at 4.3% to 4.7% are similar to the multi-core deltas at 4.7% to 4.8%, meaning the desktop chip draws its advantage relatively evenly across both lightly threaded and heavily threaded rendering tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core workloads according to the database?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820 wins all three recorded multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core it scores 496 versus 472 for the i7-4710HQ, in R20 it scores 2067 versus 1970, and in R23 it scores 4923 versus 4692. The deltas range from 4.7% to 4.8%.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the i7-4710HQ comes out ahead?

A: No. In the six head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded in the database, the i7-3820 wins all of them. The i7-4710HQ records no wins in the head-to-head data, with the closest margin being a 4.3% disadvantage in Cinebench R15 single-core.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The i7-4710HQ has a higher average benchmark score of 1473 points across its recorded tests, while the i7-3820 averages 1424 points. The i7-4710HQ also ranks at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the i7-3820 at the 37th percentile.

Q: What are the closest rivals to each processor in the database?

A: The i7-4710HQ is closest to the Intel Core i5-5575R, which averages 1478 points with a delta of -0.3%, and the Intel Core i7-7500T at 1483 points with a -0.7% delta. The i7-3820 sits closest to the Intel Core i5-4570S at 1426 points with a -0.2% delta and the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 at 1422 points with a 0.1% delta.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both the Intel Core i7-4710HQ and the Intel Core i7-3820 are listed with ECC memory support as false.

Q: What is the production status of both chips?

A: Both processors are end-of-life products according to the database. The i7-4710HQ was released in 2014-03-31, while the i7-3820 was released earlier in 2012-02-12.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural generations within Intel's lineup. The Intel Core i7-4710HQ is based on the Haswell architecture, with the codename Crystalwell, and belongs to the Core i7 (Crystal Well) generation. The Intel Core i7-3820 is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, specifically Sandy Bridge-E, and represents the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge-E) generation.

The manufacturing process differs substantially. The i7-4710HQ is fabricated on a 22 nm process node, while the i7-3820 uses a larger 32 nm node. Both are produced by Intel as the foundry. The transistor counts and die sizes reflect the different nodes: the i7-4710HQ packs 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 264 mm², whereas the i7-3820 has 1,270 million transistors spread across a larger 294 mm² die. The newer process allows the mobile chip to fit more transistors into a smaller physical area.

Cache hierarchies diverge in the L3 cache. Both processors share 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache differs: the i7-4710HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-3820 carries a larger 10 MB of shared L3 cache. This additional cache capacity on the desktop part may contribute to its benchmark advantage in the rendering workloads recorded in the database.

The integrated graphics situation is another clear difference. The i7-4710HQ includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, while the i7-3820 has no integrated graphics at all. This aligns with their market segments: the i7-4710HQ is a mobile processor, and the i7-3820 is a desktop processor.

The PCIe support also differs between the two. The i7-4710HQ provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-3820 offers PCIe Gen 2 with 40 lanes (CPU only). The desktop chip has more lanes but an older PCIe generation. Memory support shows a similar split: both support DDR3, but the i7-4710HQ runs dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3820 runs quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The desktop chip's memory bandwidth is exactly double the mobile chip's figure.

The sockets are entirely different as well. The i7-4710HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, a soldered mobile socket, while the i7-3820 uses Intel Socket 2011, a desktop socket. The multiplier unlock status also differs, with the i7-4710HQ locked and the i7-3820 unlocked. The part numbers are SR1PX for the i7-4710HQ and SR0LD for the i7-3820.

Specification Differences

The database records several specification fields where the two processors differ. Core and thread counts are identical: both have 4 cores and 8 threads, so those specifications show no difference. The base clock differs significantly: the i7-4710HQ runs at 2.50 GHz, while the i7-3820 runs at 3.60 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the i7-4710HQ boosting to 3.50 GHz and the i7-3820 boosting to 3.80 GHz. The desktop chip holds a higher clock at both idle and boost states.

Thermal design power differs sharply. The i7-4710HQ has a TDP of 47 watts, while the i7-3820 has a TDP of 130 watts. The desktop part draws substantially more power, consistent with its desktop socket and higher clock speeds. The socket types differ as noted: Intel BGA 1364 versus Intel Socket 2011. The architecture, process node, transistor count, die size, and L3 cache size all differ as described in the architecture section.

Memory configuration differs in channel count and bandwidth. The i7-4710HQ supports dual-channel memory with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3820 supports quad-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe support differs in both generation and lane count: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the mobile chip versus Gen 2 with 40 lanes for the desktop chip. Integrated graphics presence differs, with the i7-4710HQ featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i7-3820 having no integrated graphics. Market segment differs, with the i7-4710HQ classified as Mobile and the i7-3820 as Desktop. Release dates differ, with the i7-4710HQ released in 2014-03-31 and the i7-3820 in 2012-02-12. The multiplier unlock status differs, with the i7-4710HQ locked and the i7-3820 unlocked. The i7-3820 has a launch MSRP of $305, while the i7-4710HQ has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data points to the Intel Core i7-3820 as the stronger performer in the six matched Cinebench workloads. It wins every head-to-head test by margins between 4.3% and 4.8%, including both single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Users who prioritize raw rendering performance in these workloads should favor the i7-3820 based on the data.

However, the i7-4710HQ holds its own in the broader average benchmark score, recording 1473 points versus 1424 points for the i7-3820, and ranking one percentile higher at the 38th percentile compared to the 37th percentile. The i7-4710HQ also offers integrated graphics, a 22 nm process node, and a dramatically lower TDP of 47 watts versus 130 watts for the i7-3820, making it suited to mobile platforms where power efficiency matters.

The i7-3820 compensates for its older architecture and higher power draw with a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.50 GHz, a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.50 GHz, a larger 10 MB shared L3 cache versus 6 MB, quad-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth versus dual-channel with 25.6 GB/s, and 40 PCIe Gen 2 lanes versus 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. It also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the i7-4710HQ is locked.

The choice between the two depends on the platform and priorities. For desktop users with a Socket 2011 motherboard who want the higher benchmark scores in the Cinebench tests, the i7-3820 is the data-backed pick. For mobile users or those valuing lower power consumption, integrated graphics, and a higher average benchmark score across a broader test suite, the i7-4710HQ presents the stronger case. The i7-3820 wins on rendering performance consistency, while the i7-4710HQ wins on efficiency and overall average score.