| | | | | | |

Core i7-720QM vs i3-3217U


Description
The i7-720QM is based on Nehalem architecture while the i3-3217U is based on Ivy Bridge.

Using the multithread performance as a reference, the i7-720QM gets a score of 38.8 k points while the i3-3217U gets 32.8 k points.

Summarizing, the i7-720QM is 1.2 times faster than the i3-3217U . To get a proper comparison between both models, take a look to the data shown below.

Specs
CPUID
106e5
306a9
Core
Clarksfield
Ivy Bridge
Architecture
Base frecuency
1.6 GHz
1.8 GHz
Boost frecuency
2.8 GHz
1.8 GHz
Socket
988-pin micro-FCPGA8
BGA1023
Cores/Threads
4/8
2 /2
TDP
45 W
17 W
Cache L1 (d+i)
4x32+4x32 kB
2x32+2x32 kB
Cache L2
4x256 kB
2x256 kB
Cache L3
6144 kB
3072 kB
Date
September 2009
June 2012
Mean monothread perf.
13.13k points
16.09k points
Mean multithread perf.
38.78k points
35.81k points

Non-optimized benchmark
The benchmark in Mode 0 (FPU) measures cpu performance with non-optimized software. It uses the basic µinstructions from the i386 architecture with the i387 floating point unit. This mode is compatible with all CPUs so it's practical to compare very different CPUs
Monothread
i7-720QM
i3-3217U
Test#1 (Integers)
1.49k
1.79k (x1.2)
Test#2 (FP)
3.4k
5.02k (x1.47)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
1.95k
2.21k (x1.13)
Test#1 (Memory)
2.08k
2.31k (x1.11)
TOTAL
8.92k
11.32k (x1.27)

Multithread

i7-720QM

i3-3217U
Test#1 (Integers)
4.23k
3.56k (x0.84)
Test#2 (FP)
11.4k
11.47k (x1.01)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
7.17k
5.34k (x0.74)
Test#1 (Memory)
4.51k
2.54k (x0.56)
TOTAL
27.32k
22.91k (x0.84)

SSE3 optimized benchmark
The benchmark in mode I (SSE) is optimized for the use of SIMD instructions with 128 bits register and the SSE set up to version 3. Nearly every modern CPU has support for this mode.
Monothread
i7-720QM
i3-3217U
Test#1 (Integers)
5.49k
5.37k (x0.98)
Test#2 (FP)
3.55k
5.25k (x1.48)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
2.01k
2.2k (x1.1)
Test#1 (Memory)
2.09k
2.25k (x1.08)
TOTAL
13.13k
15.08k (x1.15)

Multithread

i7-720QM

i3-3217U
Test#1 (Integers)
15.06k
12.46k (x0.83)
Test#2 (FP)
12.15k
12.14k (x1)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
7.18k
5.52k (x0.77)
Test#1 (Memory)
4.39k
2.64k (x0.6)
TOTAL
38.78k
32.75k (x0.84)

Performance/W
i7-720QM
i3-3217U
Test#1 (Integers)
335 points/W
733 points/W
Test#2 (FP)
270 points/W
714 points/W
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
160 points/W
325 points/W
Test#1 (Memory)
98 points/W
155 points/W
TOTAL
862 points/W
1926 points/W

Performance/GHz
i7-720QM
i3-3217U
Test#1 (Integers)
1962 points/GHz
2986 points/GHz
Test#2 (FP)
1267 points/GHz
2919 points/GHz
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
717 points/GHz
1224 points/GHz
Test#1 (Memory)
745 points/GHz
1250 points/GHz
TOTAL
4691 points/GHz
8378 points/GHz

Monothread performance graph
Monothread performance graphics gives the performance vs time. They are useful to measure the time it takes to the CPU to reach the maximum performance.

Usually, CPU's performance will be steady during these tests but if it has a slow frequency strategy, the first samples will show a lower score.


Test#1 (Integers) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#2 (FP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#3 (Generic, ZIP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#1 (Memory) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com

Multithread performance graph
Multithread graphs measure the performance against a heavy load during certain time.

If CPU's TDP doesn't limit the frequency and the machine is properly cooled, performance should remain steady vs time. Otherwise, the performance score will oscillate or decrease over time.


Test#1 (Integers) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#2 (FP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#3 (Generic, ZIP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#1 (Memory) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com

Hardlimit Benchmark Central - Ver. 3.11.4