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Intel Core i5-3230M vs Intel Core i7-3612QM vs Intel Core i7-3520M

Intel Core i5-3230M

► remove from comparison Intel 3230M

The Intel Core i5-3230M is a fast dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.6 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.2 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessors, it offers a 3 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i5-3230M is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is similar to the old i7-2620M.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1150 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the faster variants.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i5-3230M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i5.

Intel Core i7-3612QM

► remove from comparison Intel 3612QM

The Intel Core i7-3612QM is a fast quad-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. It is the fastest mobile processor rated at 35 Watt (at the time of announcement in mid 2012). Due to Hyperthreading, the four cores can handle up to eight threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.1 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.0 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.1 GHz (for 1 active core). Compared to the other quad core CPU, the 3612QM is specified at a TDP of only 35 Watt (similar to the dual-core CPUs). The BGA version (that is directly soldered to the mainboard) supports VT-d virtualization, whereas the rPGA version does not. Both dont support vPro, but otherwise all Ivy Bridge features like AES or VT-x are useable.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i7-3612QM is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is similar to the Sandy Bridge Core i7-2820QM. Altough the 3612QM has a higher model number than the 3610QM, it offers slower clock rates and therefore performs worse. However, the 3610QM is specified at a much higher TDP of 45 Watt.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1100 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the faster variants.

With a TDP of only 35 Watt, the Core i7-3612QM is the first quad-core CPU from Intel that is specified at the level of the dual-core mobile CPUs. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i7.

Intel Core i7-3520M

► remove from comparison Intel 3520M

The Intel Core i7-3520M is the fastest dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture at the time of introduction in Q2 2012. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.9 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.6 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessor Core i7-2640M, it offers a 4 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i7-3520M is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is about 5 - 10 % above the old i7-2640M (see benchmarks below).

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1250 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the fastest variants.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i7-3520M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i7.

show full text
ModelIntel Core i5-3230MIntel Core i7-3612QMIntel Core i7-3520M
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameIvy BridgeIvy BridgeIvy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Ivy Bridge
Intel Core i5-3380M2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3360M2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3340M2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3320M2.6 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3230M « 2.6 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3210M2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3437U1.9 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3427U1.8 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3337U1.8 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3317U1.7 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3439Y1.5 - 2.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-3339Y1.5 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3940XM3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3920XM2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3840QM2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3820QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3740QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3720QM2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3635QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3630QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3615QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3610QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3632QM2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3612QM « 2.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3540M3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3520M2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3687U2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3667U2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3537U2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3517U1.9 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3689Y1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3940XM3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3920XM2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3840QM2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3820QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3740QM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3720QM2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3635QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3630QM2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3615QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3610QM2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3632QM2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3612QM2.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3540M3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3520M « 2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3687U2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3667U2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3537U2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3517U1.9 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3689Y1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock2600 - 3200 MHz2100 - 3100 MHz2900 - 3600 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB6 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 82 / 4
TDP35 Watt35 Watt35 Watt
Technology22 nm22 nm22 nm
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C105 °C
SocketFCPGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988BGA1023, PGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 4000 (650-1150MHz), DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 4000 (650-1100MHz), DDR3(L)-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 4000, DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1100 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1100 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1250 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$225 U.S.$346 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
Transistors1400 Million
Die Size160 mm2

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 3230M +
258 Points (2%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 3230M +
105 Points (32%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 2.85     avg: 3     median: 3 (4%)     max: 3.01 Points
min: 4.2     avg: 5.4     median: 5.6 (7%)     max: 5.66 Points
min: 3     avg: 3.3     median: 3.4 (4%)     max: 3.44 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 1.22     avg: 1.3     median: 1.3 (31%)     max: 1.33 Points
min: 0.89     avg: 1.2     median: 1.3 (32%)     max: 1.29 Points
min: 1.41     avg: 1.4     median: 1.5 (36%)     max: 1.47 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 4117     avg: 4254     median: 4268 (26%)     max: 4372 Points
min: 2961     avg: 3947     median: 4112.5 (25%)     max: 4163 Points
min: 4408     avg: 4813     median: 4855 (29%)     max: 4903 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 8888     avg: 9123     median: 9159 (7%)     max: 9251 Points
min: 11636     avg: 15072     median: 15678 (11%)     max: 15937 Points
min: 9112     avg: 10167     median: 10467 (8%)     max: 10605 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 9769     avg: 10807     median: 11039 (8%)     max: 11403 Points
min: 14549     avg: 18508     median: 19210 (13%)     max: 19463 Points
min: 11581     avg: 12766     median: 12889.5 (9%)     max: 13151 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 4544     avg: 5167     median: 5284 (6%)     max: 5573 Points
min: 3753     avg: 4989     median: 5226 (6%)     max: 5413 Points
min: 6029     avg: 6128     median: 6146.5 (7%)     max: 6203 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 517     avg: 549     median: 556 (7%)     max: 567 s
min: 276     avg: 338     median: 297.9 (4%)     max: 579 s
min: 456     avg: 493.2     median: 492.1 (6%)     max: 570 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 16.41     avg: 17.5     median: 17.8 (4%)     max: 17.9 s
min: 8     avg: 9.5     median: 9.6 (2%)     max: 10.16 s
min: 14.4     avg: 15.5     median: 15.4 (3%)     max: 17.1 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
3219 Points (5%)
min: 3961     avg: 4028     median: 4047 (6%)     max: 4057 Points
min: 2661     avg: 2863     median: 2715 (4%)     max: 3527 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 5.9     avg: 11.5     median: 11.5 (4%)     max: 17.15 fps
min: 30.94     avg: 31.1     median: 31.1 (11%)     max: 31.14 fps
min: 6.7     avg: 16.1     median: 18.9 (7%)     max: 19.44 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 30.92     avg: 60.8     median: 60 (14%)     max: 92.3 fps
min: 122.1     avg: 123.6     median: 123.8 (29%)     max: 124.6 fps
min: 35.1     avg: 86.2     median: 98.6 (23%)     max: 101.8 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.15     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.156 GB/s
min: 0.218     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.291 GB/s
min: 0.164     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.176 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.261     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.267 GB/s
min: 0.366     avg: 0.5     median: 0.5 (8%)     max: 0.501 GB/s
min: 0.249     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.302 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
1.5 GB/s (4%)
min: 2.1     avg: 2.5     median: 2.7 (7%)     max: 2.8 GB/s
min: 1.2     avg: 1.6     median: 1.7 (4%)     max: 1.7 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 3520     avg: 3703     median: 3760 (8%)     max: 3787 Points
min: 4078     avg: 5080     median: 5466 (12%)     max: 5552 Points
min: 3528     avg: 4086     median: 4134 (9%)     max: 4212 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 12     avg: 12.3     median: 12 (3%)     max: 13.06 s
min: 12     avg: 12.8     median: 12.3 (3%)     max: 17 s
min: 10     avg: 10.3     median: 10 (2%)     max: 10.94 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 27     avg: 28.5     median: 29 (1%)     max: 29.02 s
min: 27     avg: 29.1     median: 28.1 (1%)     max: 39 s
min: 24     avg: 24.8     median: 25 (1%)     max: 25.87 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 630     avg: 662     median: 671.5 (3%)     max: 675 s
min: 648     avg: 792     median: 661 (3%)     max: 1931 s
min: 565     avg: 591     median: 594 (3%)     max: 612 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 50319     avg: 53263     median: 50319 (24%)     max: 59150 MIPS
min: 72000     avg: 86945     median: 89930 (43%)     max: 95920 MIPS
min: 55800     avg: 63808     median: 67130 (32%)     max: 69140 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 36730     avg: 37803     median: 38339 (29%)     max: 38339 MFLOPS
min: 51000     avg: 65015     median: 69190 (53%)     max: 70680 MFLOPS
min: 41450     avg: 42502     median: 42450 (33%)     max: 44032 MFLOPS
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.1 Points (91%)
min: 7.2     avg: 7.5     median: 7.5 (96%)     max: 7.5 Points
7.2 Points (92%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 9458     avg: 9888     median: 9992.5 (9%)     max: 10237 Points
min: 8328     avg: 16910     median: 17837.5 (16%)     max: 19780 Points
min: 9277     avg: 11188     median: 11511 (10%)     max: 11788 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 1694     avg: 3178     median: 3310 (9%)     max: 3731 Points
min: 5234     avg: 6378     median: 6388.5 (17%)     max: 7418 Points
min: 3582     avg: 4275     median: 4466 (12%)     max: 4774 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 3230M +
min: 13597     avg: 29678     median: 32702 (27%)     max: 36500 Points
120%
1 3520M +
39221 Points (32%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 3230M +
min: 1551     avg: 2681     median: 2879 (7%)     max: 2960 Points
118%
1 3520M +
3393 Points (9%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 3230M +
min: 2035     avg: 3522     median: 3818 (7%)     max: 4180 Points
125%
1 3520M +
4772 Points (9%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-3230M → 100% n=23

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3612QM → 151% n=23

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3520M → 115% n=23

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.28
log 02. 20:50:57

#0 checking url part for id 3620 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 3087 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 3065 +0s ... 0s

#3 redirected to Ajax server, took 1719946257 +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:15:43 +0200 +0s ... 0s

#5 composed specs +0.007s ... 0.007s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.007s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 3620 +0.001s ... 0.008s

#8 got single benchmarks 3620 +0.015s ... 0.023s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 3087 +0.001s ... 0.023s

#10 got single benchmarks 3087 +0.014s ... 0.038s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 3065 +0.001s ... 0.038s

#12 got single benchmarks 3065 +0.011s ... 0.049s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.049s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.033s ... 0.083s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.083s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)