i3-560 vs i7-720QM

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-720QM
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 45 Watt
1.04
Core i3-560
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.05
+1%

Core i3-560 outperforms Core i7-720QM by a minimal 1% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking24292425
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.04
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7no data
Power efficiency2.191.36
Architecture codenameClarksfield (2009−2010)Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date23 September 2009 (15 years ago)29 August 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$546$190

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed1.6 GHz3.33 GHz
Boost clock speed2.8 GHz0.33 GHz
Bus typeDMI 1.0no data
Bus rate2.5 GT/s2.5 GT/s
Multiplier12no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm32 nm
Die size296 mm281 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C73 °C
Number of transistors774 million382 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCPGA988,PGA988FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)45 Watt73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.2
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Demand Based Switchingno data-
PAE36 Bit36 Bit
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560 are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-1066, DDR3-1333DDR3
Maximum memory size8 GB16.38 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21.335 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardNoneIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors
Clear Video HDno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560.

PCIe version22.0
PCI Express lanes1616

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-720QM 1.04
i3-560 1.05
+1%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-720QM 1657
i3-560 1662
+0.3%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-720QM 301
i3-560 445
+47.8%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-720QM 847
i3-560 940
+11%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.04 1.05
Recency 23 September 2009 29 August 2010
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 45 Watt 73 Watt

i7-720QM has 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and 62.2% lower power consumption.

i3-560, on the other hand, has a 1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 months, and a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560.

Be aware that Core i7-720QM is a notebook processor while Core i3-560 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-720QM and Core i3-560, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-720QM
Core i7-720QM
Intel Core i3-560
Core i3-560

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.5 155 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-720QM or Core i3-560, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.