Intel Core i7-2720QM vs Intel Core i3-3250

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-2720QM or Intel Core i7-2720QM – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-2720QM features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-2720QM, you'll need a motherboard with a PGA 988 socket.
The Intel Core i3-3250 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2013 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-3250, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
Intel Core i 2000M Group Intel Core i 3000
2 Generation 3
Mobile Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-2720QM Name Intel Core i3-3250
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i3
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-2720QM has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-2720QM is 2.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.3 GHz.
The Intel Core i3-3250 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-3250 is 3.5 GHz
8 Threads 4
4x Cores 2x
4 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking No
3.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
2.2 GHz Frequency 3.5 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-2720QM has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-2720QM uses the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which has 96 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i3-3250 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-3250 uses the Intel HD Graphics 2500, which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
96 Shaders 48
Q1/2011 Release date Q2/2012
32 nm Technology 22 nm
10.1 Direct X 11.0
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
12 Execution units 6
0.65 GHz GPU frequency 0.65 GHz
6 Generation 7
1.3 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.05 GHz
Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2500
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
No VP8 No
Decode VC-1 Decode
No JPEG Decode
No AV1 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
No VP9 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1600
No ECC No
32.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 45 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 55 W watts.
45 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 55 W
100 °C Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-2720QM is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-3250 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q2/2013
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
32 nm Technology 22 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
295 $ Release price 117 $
Sandy Bridge H Architecture Ivy Bridge S
6.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
PGA 988 Socket LGA 1155
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
2438
2438
Intel Core i3-3250
2C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1577
1577

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
1781
1781
Intel Core i3-3250
2C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1272
1272

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-3250
2C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
610
610
Intel Core i7-2720QM
4C 8T @ 2.2 GHz
584
584