Intel Core i7-3740QM socket: Socket G2

What the Core i7-3740QM is

Intel Core i7-3740QM is a quad core Ivy Bridge mobile processor that Intel released in September 2012 as a speed bump for socketed performance laptops. It runs at 2.7 GHz base with turbo to 3.7 GHz, with 6 MB Intel Smart Cache and Hyper-Threading for 8 threads. Power is rated at 45 W on a 22 nm process. The 100 MHz steps over the 3720QM mark a late refresh.

Graphics are Intel HD Graphics 4000 at 650 MHz to 1300 MHz per ARK, the highest ceiling among 6 MB quads. The block covers office displays, while quad laptops add a discrete GPU for heavier work. Memory is DDR3, DDR3L and DDR3-RS at 1333 or 1600 MT/s for up to 32 GB.

Late 2012 laptops pair it with HM77 or QM77, dual SODIMMs and discrete graphics. All core work sits near 2.7 GHz, while bursts reach 3.7 GHz. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm the socketed package.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Core i7-3740QM fits Socket G2 as an FCPGA988 part at 37.5 × 37.5 mm. It also ships soldered on BGA 1224 at 31.0 × 24.0 mm, with Intel documenting both packages. The sSpec on the lid decides the board, since the packages never interchange. The BIOS must list the exact 3740QM string with late 2012 microcode.

Boards are Socket G2 quad capable designs with mobile 7 series chipsets. At 45 W a quad rated heatsink is required. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers the firmware order for boards that started on Sandy Bridge.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR3, DDR3L and DDR3-RS at 1333 or 1600 MT/s, two channels, up to 32 GB for 25.6 GB/s. Matched pairs feed eight threads and shared graphics. ECC is not supported.

PCI Express is 16 lanes from the CPU at PCIe 3.0, split as 1x16, 2x8 or 1x8 plus 2x4. Performance laptops use lanes for a discrete GPU plus fast storage and Wi-Fi. Integrated graphics still drive the panel on battery.

Cooling is board specific for 45 W with a 105 C junction class. The high turbo ceiling needs clean airflow to hold 3.7 GHz bursts. Repaste during fan service often restores peak behavior.

Upgrade paths

On Socket G2 the Core i7-3740QM already sits near the top of the 6 MB QM group. A nearby step with more cache is a dual package 8 MB QM such as Intel Core i7-3820QM, where cooling and BIOS allow it. Memory and storage carry over. The soldered twin on BGA 1224 is never an upgrade target.

A platform change means a new performance laptop on a newer BGA package. Keep the current quad for threaded work where eight threads still meet the load.