CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-3720QM vs Intel Core i7-3820QM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-3720QM is a premium mobile processor launched in early 2012 as part of the initial Ivy Bridge rollout. Targeted at high-end gaming laptops and mobile workstations, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering robust parallel processing capabilities. It operates at a base clock of 2.6 GHz and can boost up to 3.6 GHz via Intel Turbo Boost 2.0, ensuring snappy single-threaded performance. It includes a 6 MB L3 SmartCache and carries a 45-watt thermal design power. The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics offer capable multimedia decoding. This CPU was a favorite for enthusiasts seeking top-tier mobile performance in the first half of 2012, providing an excellent sweet spot of price and multi-threaded power before the later refresh models arrived. It was available in both socketed PGA and soldered BGA formats.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
8 threads and high clocks make quick work of office and compiling tasks.
8 threads and 8MB cache make quick work of office and compiling tasks.
Gaming
Handles older games easily and provides good frame rates with a discrete GPU.
Handles older games easily and provides good frame rates with a discrete GPU.
Virtualization
Good for running light VMs on the go.
Good for running light VMs on the go.
Efficiency
22nm Ivy Bridge is less efficient than modern mobile chips.
22nm Ivy Bridge is less efficient than modern mobile chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- CPU inference is slow
- No AI hardware
- CPU inference is slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- Excellent for 2012-era games
- Won't bottleneck mid-range mobile GPUs
- Needs discrete graphics for serious gaming
- Excellent for 2012-era games
- Won't bottleneck mid-range mobile GPUs
- Needs discrete graphics for serious gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good quad-core performance
- High 3.6 GHz turbo boost
- Removable PGA socket option
- Decent 6MB L3 cache
Cons
- High 45W TDP
- Older 22nm process
- DDR3 only
- Runs hot under load
Pros
- Full 8MB L3 cache
- Good quad-core performance
- Removable PGA socket option
- High turbo boost frequencies
Cons
- High 45W TDP
- Older 22nm process
- DDR3 only
- Runs hot under load
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-3720QM
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3610QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2760QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3740QMRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-7600PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4700MQAlt
Newer Haswell architecture.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
Modern mobile alternative with vastly superior efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-8300HAlt
Much faster and more efficient for budget gaming.
- Alt
Incredible performance per watt.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-3820QM
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3610QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3720QMRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3920XMRival
Mobile Extreme
- AMD FX-7600PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3840QMAlt
Slightly faster refresh of the same chip.
- Intel Core i7-4700MQAlt
Newer Haswell architecture.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
Modern mobile alternative with vastly superior efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-8300HAlt
Much faster and more efficient for budget gaming.
- Alt
Incredible performance per watt.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A high-end mobile CPU for its time, offering excellent multi-threaded performance and high clock speeds for demanding applications.
Best for: Buying a cheap, used laptop for retro gaming or basic coding.
Read the full reviewA high-end mobile CPU for its time, offering excellent multi-threaded performance and a large cache for demanding applications.
Best for: Buying a cheap, used laptop for retro gaming or basic coding.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-3720QM or Intel Core i7-3820QM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-3820QM comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-3720QM or Intel Core i7-3820QM?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-3820QM leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Core i7-3720QM and Intel Core i7-3820QM.
Do Intel Core i7-3720QM and Intel Core i7-3820QM use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel Socket G2 (988B) socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-3820QM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-3720QM (5,200), Intel Core i7-3820QM (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.