Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i7-3540M vs Intel Core i7-3740QM vs Intel Core i7-3720QM

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 i7-3740QM

► remove from comparison Intel 3740QM

The Intel Core i7-3740QM is a fast quad-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture and successor of the i7-3720QM. 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 2.7 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.6 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.7 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 i7-3740QM should be slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to slight architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance should be above the Core i7-2960XM.

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 faster variants.

As with most quad-core Ivy Bridge models, the Core i7-3740QM 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 i7-3720QM

► 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.

ModelIntel Core i7-3540MIntel Core i7-3740QMIntel Core i7-3720QM
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 i7-3740QM « 2.7 - 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 i7-3667U2 - 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
Clock3000 - 3700 MHz2700 - 3700 MHz2600 - 3600 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB6 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 84 / 8
TDP35 Watt45 Watt45 Watt
Technology22 nm22 nm22 nm
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1023, PGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz), DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 4000, DDR3(L)-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 4000 (650-1250MHz), DDR3(L)-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1250 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com
Transistors1400 Million1400 Million
Die Size160 mm2160 mm2
$378 U.S.$378 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: 6.93     avg: 7     median: 7 (9%)     max: 6.98 Points
min: 5.96     avg: 6.6     median: 6.7 (9%)     max: 6.85 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
1.5 Points (38%)
min: 1.39     avg: 1.5     median: 1.5 (37%)     max: 1.5 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 5018     avg: 5030     median: 5029.5 (30%)     max: 5041 Points
4951 Points (30%)
min: 4749     avg: 4827     median: 4821 (29%)     max: 4916 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 10628     avg: 10811     median: 10810.5 (8%)     max: 10993 Points
19798 Points (14%)
min: 14659     avg: 18498     median: 18879 (14%)     max: 19231 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 13307     avg: 13435     median: 13434.5 (9%)     max: 13562 Points
min: 24138     avg: 24219     median: 24218.5 (17%)     max: 24299 Points
min: 21405     avg: 23108     median: 23211 (16%)     max: 23615 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 6326     avg: 6414     median: 6414 (8%)     max: 6502 Points
min: 6281     avg: 6324     median: 6323.5 (8%)     max: 6366 Points
min: 5932     avg: 6091     median: 6097 (7%)     max: 6204 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
471.2 s (6%)
247 s (3%)
min: 226.9     avg: 238.9     median: 235.2 (3%)     max: 258.4 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
14.9 s (3%)
7.6 s (2%)
min: 7.64     avg: 7.8     median: 7.9 (2%)     max: 7.941 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
2940 Points (5%)
4680 Points (7%)
min: 3125     avg: 4249     median: 4365 (7%)     max: 4613 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
19.9 fps (7%)
38.6 fps (13%)
min: 29.85     avg: 35.7     median: 37 (13%)     max: 37.67 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
105.3 fps (24%)
153.8 fps (35%)
min: 127.3     avg: 144.1     median: 146.7 (34%)     max: 150.1 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
0.2 GB/s (0%)
0.4 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%)
0.6 GB/s (10%)
min: 0.39     avg: 0.6     median: 0.6 (10%)     max: 0.606 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
1.7 GB/s (4%)
3.5 GB/s (9%)
min: 1.8     avg: 3.1     median: 3.3 (9%)     max: 3.4 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4267     avg: 4320     median: 4319.5 (9%)     max: 4372 Points
min: 6825     avg: 6837     median: 6837 (15%)     max: 6849 Points
min: 5981     avg: 6581     median: 6642 (14%)     max: 6696 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
10.4 s (2%)
10.2 s (2%)
min: 10     avg: 10.3     median: 10.2 (2%)     max: 11 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
23.9 s (1%)
23.4 s (1%)
min: 23     avg: 23.9     median: 24 (1%)     max: 24.31 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 3540M +
557 s (2%)
100%
1 3720QM +
min: 563     avg: 573     median: 572 (3%)     max: 594 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 3720QM +
min: 100430     avg: 124162     median: 136000 (65%)     max: 136390 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 3720QM +
min: 75250     avg: 82146     median: 82470 (63%)     max: 85440 MFLOPS
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.3 Points (94%)
7.7 Points (99%)
7.6 Points (97%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
11749 Points (10%)
min: 23645     avg: 23789     median: 23789 (21%)     max: 23933 Points
min: 12064     avg: 22380     median: 23290 (20%)     max: 23791 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 4391     avg: 4627     median: 4627 (13%)     max: 4863 Points
min: 7048     avg: 7783     median: 7782.5 (21%)     max: 8517 Points
min: 6455     avg: 8020     median: 8217 (22%)     max: 8505 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%)
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=20

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3740QM → 150% n=20

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3720QM → 146% n=20

- 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. 15:14:52

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

#1 checking url part for id 3347 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 3064 +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 +0.029s ... 0.03s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.03s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 3628 +0.002s ... 0.032s

#8 got single benchmarks 3628 +0.012s ... 0.044s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 3347 +0.002s ... 0.046s

#10 got single benchmarks 3347 +0.007s ... 0.053s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 3064 +0.003s ... 0.055s

#12 got single benchmarks 3064 +0.043s ... 0.098s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.098s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.223s ... 0.321s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.321s

Please share our article, every link counts!
> 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)