Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i5-3230M vs Intel Core i7-3612QM vs Intel Core i7-3632QM

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 i7-3632QM

► remove from comparison Intel 3632QM

The Intel Core i7-3632QM is a fast quad-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture and successor of the i7-3612QM. It is the fastest mobile processor rated at 35 Watt (at the time of announcement in Q3 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 2.2 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.1 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.2 GHz (for 1 active core). Compared to other quad core CPUs, the 3632QM 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 don't support vPro and Trusted Execution, 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 i7-3632QM is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is slightly above the Sandy Bridge Core i7-2820QM. Altough the 3632QM has a higher model number than the 3630QM, it offers slower clock rates and therefore performs worse. However, the 3630QM is specified at a much higher TDP of 45 Watt.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) and is clocked at 650 MHz (base) up to 1150 MHz (Turbo Boost).

With a TDP of only 35 Watt, the Core i7-3632QM is specified at the level of the dual-core mobile CPUs. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i7.

ModelIntel Core i5-3230MIntel Core i7-3612QMIntel Core i7-3632QM
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 i7-3632QM « 2.2 - 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 i7-3520M2.9 - 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
Clock2600 - 3200 MHz2100 - 3100 MHz2200 - 3200 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache3 MB6 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 84 / 8
TDP35 Watt35 Watt35 Watt
Technology22 nm22 nm22 nm
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C105 °C
SocketFCPGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988
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(L)-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 - 1150 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$225 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
Transistors1400 Million1400 Million
Die Size160 mm2160 mm2

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 3230M +
258 Points (2%)
202%
1 3632QM +
min: 519     avg: 521     median: 521 (3%)     max: 523 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 3230M +
105 Points (32%)
108%
1 3632QM +
min: 111     avg: 112.3     median: 113 (34%)     max: 113 Points
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: 5.13     avg: 5.7     median: 5.8 (8%)     max: 5.84 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: 1.29     avg: 1.3     median: 1.3 (33%)     max: 1.34 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: 4261     avg: 4287     median: 4293.5 (26%)     max: 4299 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: 15952     avg: 16139     median: 16117 (12%)     max: 16368 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: 18906     avg: 19646     median: 19793.5 (14%)     max: 20126 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: 5296     avg: 5394     median: 5419.5 (7%)     max: 5456 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: 271.5     avg: 321.9     median: 295 (3%)     max: 426.1 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: 8.784     avg: 10.5     median: 9.9 (2%)     max: 13.53 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
3219 Points (5%)
min: 3961     avg: 4028     median: 4047 (6%)     max: 4057 Points
min: 4045     avg: 4069     median: 4069 (6%)     max: 4093 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: 27.5     avg: 30.9     median: 31.9 (11%)     max: 32.22 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: 123.3     avg: 125.5     median: 125.4 (29%)     max: 127.7 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: 0.236     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.302 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: 0.346     avg: 0.5     median: 0.5 (9%)     max: 0.514 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: 1.8     avg: 2.6     median: 2.9 (8%)     max: 2.9 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: 5514     avg: 5702     median: 5681 (12%)     max: 5947 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: 11     avg: 11.9     median: 11.9 (3%)     max: 13 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: 26     avg: 27.1     median: 27.2 (1%)     max: 28 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: 623     avg: 636     median: 635 (3%)     max: 649 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
99750 MIPS (47%)
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
68510 MFLOPS (53%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.1 Points (91%)
min: 7.2     avg: 7.5     median: 7.5 (96%)     max: 7.5 Points
7.5 Points (96%)
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: 16654     avg: 19072     median: 20095 (18%)     max: 20467 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: 5976     avg: 6528     median: 6410 (17%)     max: 7327 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 3230M +
min: 13597     avg: 29678     median: 32702 (27%)     max: 36500 Points
99%
1 3632QM +
min: 26398     avg: 32228     median: 32530 (26%)     max: 37454 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 3632QM +
26458 Points (21%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 3230M +
min: 1551     avg: 2681     median: 2879 (7%)     max: 2960 Points
173%
1 3632QM +
min: 4887     avg: 5110     median: 4981 (13%)     max: 5591 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 3230M +
min: 2035     avg: 3522     median: 3818 (7%)     max: 4180 Points
188%
1 3632QM +
min: 7073     avg: 7328     median: 7174 (13%)     max: 7737 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 3632QM +
10241 Points (18%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 3632QM +
2748 Points (54%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
100%
1 3632QM +
7341 Points (59%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 3632QM +
6764 Points (61%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 3632QM +
10911 Points (21%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 3632QM +
9690 Points (20%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 3632QM +
9297 Points (24%)

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

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

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3632QM → 156% 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. 21:04:04

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

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

#2 checking url part for id 3366 +0s ... 0s

#3 redirected to Ajax server, took 1719947043 +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 +0.01s ... 0.01s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.01s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 3620 +0.001s ... 0.011s

#8 got single benchmarks 3620 +0.018s ... 0.029s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 3087 +0.001s ... 0.029s

#10 got single benchmarks 3087 +0.016s ... 0.045s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 3366 +0.001s ... 0.046s

#12 got single benchmarks 3366 +0.01s ... 0.056s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.056s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.039s ... 0.095s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.095s

Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)