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Intel Core i7-3540M vs Intel Core i7-3720QM vs Intel Core i7-3667U

Intel Core i7-3540M

► remove from comparison Intel 3540M

The Intel Core i7-3540M is the fastest dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture at the time of introduction in Q1 2013. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 3.0 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.7 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessor Core i7-2640M, it offers a 4 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i7-3540M is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is about 5 - 10 % above the old i7-2640M.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1300 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the fastest variants.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i7-3540M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i7.

Intel Core i7-3720QM

► remove from comparison Intel 3720QM

The Intel Core i7-3720QM is a fast high-end quad-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. Due to Hyperthreading, the four cores can handle up to eight threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.6 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.5 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.6 GHz (for 1 active core).

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i7-3720QM is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to slight architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is higher than the former fastest model, the Core i7-2920XM.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1250 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the faster variants.

As with most quad-core Ivy Bridge models, the Core i7-3720QM is specified at a TDP of 45 Watts including graphics card and memory controller. Therefore, the CPU is well-suited for laptops 15-inches or greater.

Intel Core i7-3667U

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i7-3667U is the fastest ULV-processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture at the time of introduction in Q2 2012. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.0 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.2 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessors, it offers a 4 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i7-3667U is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. Therefore, and because of the higher clock speed, the Core i7-2677M is easily outperformed by 10 to 15%.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 350 MHz up to 1150 MHz with Turbo Boost, delivering a performance comparable with an AMD Radeon HD 6620G.

The ULV-CPUs are rated at a TDP of 17 W including graphics card and memory controller.  Therefore, the CPU is suited for small laptops and ultrabooks.

ModelIntel Core i7-3540MIntel Core i7-3720QMIntel Core i7-3667U
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameIvy BridgeIvy BridgeIvy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Ivy Bridge
Intel Core i7-3940XM3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3920XM2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3840QM2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3820QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3740QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3720QM2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3635QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3630QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3615QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3610QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3632QM2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3612QM2.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3540M « 3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3520M2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3687U2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3667U2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3537U2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3517U1.9 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3689Y1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3940XM3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3920XM2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3840QM2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3820QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3740QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3720QM « 2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3635QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3630QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3615QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3610QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3632QM2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3612QM2.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3540M3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3520M2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3687U2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3667U2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3537U2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3517U1.9 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3689Y1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3940XM3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3920XM2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3840QM2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3820QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3740QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3720QM2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3635QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3630QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3615QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3610QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3632QM2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3612QM2.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3540M3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3520M2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3687U2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3667U « 2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3537U2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3517U1.9 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3689Y1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock3000 - 3700 MHz2600 - 3600 MHz2000 - 3200 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache4 MB6 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 82 / 4
TDP35 Watt45 Watt17 Watt
Technology22 nm22 nm22 nm
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1023, PGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988BGA1023
FeaturesHD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz), DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 4000 (650-1250MHz), DDR3(L)-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationTurbo Boost 2.0, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization VT-x, Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d), Trusted Execution, AES, Intel 64, Anti-Theft, My WiFi, Idle States, Enhanced SpeedStep, Thermal Monitorin, Execute Disable Bit
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1250 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (350 - 1150 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
Transistors1400 Million
Die Size160 mm2
$378 U.S.$346 U.S.

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 3720QM +
610 Points (4%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 3720QM +
126 Points (38%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 3.41     avg: 3.5     median: 3.5 (4%)     max: 3.49 Points
min: 5.96     avg: 6.6     median: 6.7 (9%)     max: 6.85 Points
min: 2.55     avg: 2.8     median: 2.9 (4%)     max: 2.96 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 1.52     avg: 1.5     median: 1.5 (38%)     max: 1.54 Points
min: 1.39     avg: 1.5     median: 1.5 (37%)     max: 1.5 Points
min: 1.3     avg: 1.3     median: 1.3 (33%)     max: 1.33 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 5018     avg: 5030     median: 5029.5 (30%)     max: 5041 Points
min: 4749     avg: 4827     median: 4821 (29%)     max: 4916 Points
min: 3975     avg: 4215     median: 4215 (25%)     max: 4455 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 10628     avg: 10811     median: 10810.5 (8%)     max: 10993 Points
min: 14659     avg: 18498     median: 18879 (14%)     max: 19231 Points
min: 8290     avg: 8810     median: 8809.5 (6%)     max: 9329 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 13307     avg: 13435     median: 13434.5 (9%)     max: 13562 Points
min: 21405     avg: 23108     median: 23211 (16%)     max: 23615 Points
min: 10253     avg: 11057     median: 11294.5 (8%)     max: 11387 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 6326     avg: 6414     median: 6414 (8%)     max: 6502 Points
min: 5932     avg: 6091     median: 6097 (7%)     max: 6204 Points
min: 5363     avg: 5524     median: 5563 (7%)     max: 5607 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
471.2 s (6%)
min: 226.9     avg: 238.9     median: 235.2 (3%)     max: 258.4 s
min: 529     avg: 591     median: 570 (7%)     max: 675 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
14.9 s (3%)
min: 7.64     avg: 7.8     median: 7.9 (2%)     max: 7.941 s
min: 16.27     avg: 17.4     median: 17.8 (4%)     max: 18.1 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
2940 Points (5%)
min: 3125     avg: 4249     median: 4365 (7%)     max: 4613 Points
min: 2413     avg: 2474     median: 2474 (4%)     max: 2535 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
19.9 fps (7%)
min: 29.85     avg: 35.7     median: 37 (13%)     max: 37.67 fps
min: 14.54     avg: 15.4     median: 15.4 (5%)     max: 16.32 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
105.3 fps (24%)
min: 127.3     avg: 144.1     median: 146.7 (34%)     max: 150.1 fps
min: 86.3     avg: 87     median: 87 (20%)     max: 87.7 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
0.2 GB/s (0%)
min: 0.27     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.513 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
0.3 GB/s (5%)
min: 0.39     avg: 0.6     median: 0.6 (10%)     max: 0.606 GB/s
min: 0.259     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.265 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
1.7 GB/s (4%)
min: 1.8     avg: 3.1     median: 3.3 (9%)     max: 3.4 GB/s
min: 1.4     avg: 1.5     median: 1.5 (4%)     max: 1.5 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4267     avg: 4320     median: 4319.5 (9%)     max: 4372 Points
min: 5981     avg: 6581     median: 6642 (14%)     max: 6696 Points
min: 3393     avg: 3567     median: 3594.5 (8%)     max: 3685 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
10.4 s (2%)
min: 10     avg: 10.3     median: 10.2 (2%)     max: 11 s
min: 11     avg: 11.5     median: 11.4 (2%)     max: 12 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
23.9 s (1%)
min: 23     avg: 23.9     median: 24 (1%)     max: 24.31 s
min: 27     avg: 27.4     median: 27.2 (1%)     max: 28 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
557 s (2%)
min: 563     avg: 573     median: 572 (3%)     max: 594 s
min: 640     avg: 648     median: 647.5 (3%)     max: 655 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 3720QM +
min: 100430     avg: 124162     median: 136000 (65%)     max: 136390 MIPS
38%
1 3667U +
52000 MIPS (25%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 3720QM +
min: 75250     avg: 82146     median: 82470 (63%)     max: 85440 MFLOPS
44%
1 3667U +
36570 MFLOPS (28%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.3 Points (94%)
7.6 Points (97%)
7.1 Points (91%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
11749 Points (10%)
min: 12064     avg: 22380     median: 23290 (20%)     max: 23791 Points
min: 8295     avg: 9039     median: 9222 (8%)     max: 9600 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 4391     avg: 4627     median: 4627 (13%)     max: 4863 Points
min: 6455     avg: 8020     median: 8217 (22%)     max: 8505 Points
min: 2618     avg: 3129     median: 3231 (9%)     max: 3436 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 3540M +
min: 40631     avg: 42023     median: 42022.5 (34%)     max: 43414 Points
93%
1 3720QM +
min: 35881     avg: 39128     median: 39127.5 (32%)     max: 42374 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 3720QM +
min: 39845     avg: 40576     median: 40575.5 (34%)     max: 41306 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 3540M +
min: 3424     avg: 3483     median: 3482.5 (9%)     max: 3541 Points
170%
1 3720QM +
min: 5405     avg: 5873     median: 5921 (15%)     max: 6293 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 3540M +
min: 4929     avg: 4966     median: 4966 (9%)     max: 5003 Points
163%
1 3720QM +
min: 7455     avg: 8124     median: 8113 (14%)     max: 8803 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 3720QM +
3739 Points (37%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 3720QM +
12082 Points (13%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 3720QM +
14452 Points (26%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 3720QM +
3898 Points (76%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 3720QM +
12555 Points (20%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 3720QM +
3289 Points (49%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
100%
1 3720QM +
8890 Points (72%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 3720QM +
7573 Points (69%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 3720QM +
12725 Points (25%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 3720QM +
11403 Points (23%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 3720QM +
10848 Points (28%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
1 3720QM +
1240 ms (1%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
100%
1 3720QM +
93.2 ms (1%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 0.9.1 Total Score *
100%
1 3667U +
128 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 3720QM +
32210 Points (29%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 3720QM +
80.8 Watt (14%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 3720QM +
64.8 Watt (12%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
100%
1 3720QM +
9.4 Points per Watt (7%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3540M → 100% n=21

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3720QM → 144% n=21

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3667U → 87% n=21

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.26
log 28. 09:47:36

#0 checking url part for id 3628 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 3064 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 3078 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:35:32 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.031s ... 0.032s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.032s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 3628 +0.003s ... 0.035s

#8 got single benchmarks 3628 +0.012s ... 0.046s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 3064 +0.003s ... 0.05s

#10 got single benchmarks 3064 +0.047s ... 0.096s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 3078 +0.003s ... 0.099s

#12 got single benchmarks 3078 +0.013s ... 0.112s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.112s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.271s ... 0.383s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.383s

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)