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Intel Core i7-3540M vs Intel Core i7-3630QM vs Intel Core i7-3632QM

Intel Core i7-3540M

► remove from comparison Intel 3540M

The Intel Core i7-3540M is the fastest dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture at the time of introduction in Q1 2013. 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 3.0 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.7 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 i7-3540M 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.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1300 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the fastest variants.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i7-3540M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i7.

Intel Core i7-3630QM

► remove from comparison Intel 3630QM

The Intel Core i7-3630QM is a fast quad-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture and successor of the i7-3630QM. 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 2.4 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.3 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.4 GHz (for 1 active core).

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. Except VT-d and vPro the 3630QM supports all functions of the Ivy Bridge core like VT-x, AES or Trusted Execution.

The performance of the Core i7-3630QM should be slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to slight architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance should be above the former fastest model, the Core i7-2920XM.

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.

As with most quad-core Ivy Bridge models, the Core i7-3630QM is specified at a TDP of 45 Watts including graphics card and memory controller. Therefore, the CPU is well-suited for laptops 15-inches or greater.

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 i7-3540MIntel Core i7-3630QMIntel Core i7-3632QM
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameIvy BridgeIvy BridgeIvy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Ivy Bridge
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 i7-3540M « 3 - 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 i7-3630QM « 2.4 - 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 i7-3520M2.9 - 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
Clock3000 - 3700 MHz2400 - 3400 MHz2200 - 3200 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB6 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 84 / 8
TDP35 Watt45 Watt35 Watt
Technology22 nm22 nm22 nm
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1023, PGA988FCPGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz), DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 4000, 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 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1150 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1150 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com
Transistors1400 Million1400 Million
Die Size160 mm2160 mm2

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 3632QM +
min: 519     avg: 521     median: 521 (3%)     max: 523 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 3632QM +
min: 111     avg: 112.3     median: 113 (34%)     max: 113 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 3.41     avg: 3.5     median: 3.5 (4%)     max: 3.49 Points
min: 5.52     avg: 6.3     median: 6.4 (8%)     max: 6.48 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: 1.52     avg: 1.5     median: 1.5 (38%)     max: 1.54 Points
min: 1.39     avg: 1.4     median: 1.4 (35%)     max: 1.42 Points
min: 1.29     avg: 1.3     median: 1.3 (33%)     max: 1.34 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 5018     avg: 5030     median: 5029.5 (30%)     max: 5041 Points
min: 4554     avg: 4630     median: 4654 (28%)     max: 4692 Points
min: 4261     avg: 4287     median: 4293.5 (26%)     max: 4299 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 10628     avg: 10811     median: 10810.5 (8%)     max: 10993 Points
min: 17902     avg: 18054     median: 18091 (13%)     max: 18189 Points
min: 15952     avg: 16139     median: 16117 (12%)     max: 16368 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 13307     avg: 13435     median: 13434.5 (9%)     max: 13562 Points
min: 19766     avg: 21754     median: 22003 (15%)     max: 22168 Points
min: 18906     avg: 19646     median: 19793.5 (14%)     max: 20126 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 6326     avg: 6414     median: 6414 (8%)     max: 6502 Points
min: 5735     avg: 5832     median: 5821 (7%)     max: 5953 Points
min: 5296     avg: 5394     median: 5419.5 (7%)     max: 5456 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
471.2 s (6%)
min: 242     avg: 278.2     median: 261.1 (3%)     max: 362.2 s
min: 271.5     avg: 321.9     median: 295 (3%)     max: 426.1 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
14.9 s (3%)
min: 7.7     avg: 9.1     median: 8.4 (2%)     max: 11.96 s
min: 8.784     avg: 10.5     median: 9.9 (2%)     max: 13.53 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
2940 Points (5%)
4491 Points (7%)
min: 4045     avg: 4069     median: 4069 (6%)     max: 4093 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
19.9 fps (7%)
min: 34.68     avg: 35.1     median: 35.3 (12%)     max: 35.32 fps
min: 27.5     avg: 30.9     median: 31.9 (11%)     max: 32.22 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
105.3 fps (24%)
min: 133.8     avg: 137.3     median: 136.9 (32%)     max: 141.3 fps
min: 123.3     avg: 125.5     median: 125.4 (29%)     max: 127.7 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
0.2 GB/s (0%)
min: 0.322     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.328 GB/s
min: 0.236     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.302 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
0.3 GB/s (5%)
min: 0.553     avg: 0.6     median: 0.6 (10%)     max: 0.57 GB/s
min: 0.346     avg: 0.5     median: 0.5 (9%)     max: 0.514 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
1.7 GB/s (4%)
min: 3     avg: 3.1     median: 3.1 (8%)     max: 3.1 GB/s
min: 1.8     avg: 2.6     median: 2.9 (8%)     max: 2.9 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4267     avg: 4320     median: 4319.5 (9%)     max: 4372 Points
min: 5730     avg: 6355     median: 6392 (14%)     max: 6565 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 *
10.4 s (2%)
min: 10.89     avg: 10.9     median: 10.9 (2%)     max: 11 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 *
23.9 s (1%)
min: 25     avg: 25.1     median: 25.1 (1%)     max: 25.31 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 *
557 s (2%)
min: 601     avg: 613     median: 617 (3%)     max: 618 s
min: 623     avg: 636     median: 635 (3%)     max: 649 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 3630QM +
min: 110700     avg: 113093     median: 111410 (53%)     max: 117170 MIPS
90%
1 3632QM +
99750 MIPS (47%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 3630QM +
min: 77100     avg: 78210     median: 77310 (59%)     max: 80220 MFLOPS
89%
1 3632QM +
68510 MFLOPS (53%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.3 Points (94%)
min: 7.5     avg: 7.6     median: 7.6 (97%)     max: 7.6 Points
7.5 Points (96%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
11749 Points (10%)
min: 19869     avg: 21901     median: 22161 (19%)     max: 22539 Points
min: 16654     avg: 19072     median: 20095 (18%)     max: 20467 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 4391     avg: 4627     median: 4627 (13%)     max: 4863 Points
min: 6127     avg: 7104     median: 6954 (19%)     max: 7848 Points
min: 5976     avg: 6528     median: 6410 (17%)     max: 7327 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 40631     avg: 42023     median: 42022.5 (34%)     max: 43414 Points
min: 40335     avg: 41261     median: 41354 (34%)     max: 41999 Points
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
min: 3424     avg: 3483     median: 3482.5 (9%)     max: 3541 Points
min: 5806     avg: 6067     median: 6098.5 (15%)     max: 6263 Points
min: 4887     avg: 5110     median: 4981 (13%)     max: 5591 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 4929     avg: 4966     median: 4966 (9%)     max: 5003 Points
min: 8315     avg: 8404     median: 8425 (15%)     max: 8473 Points
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 3630QM +
min: 4993     avg: 6744     median: 6743.5 (54%)     max: 8494 Points
109%
1 3632QM +
7341 Points (59%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 3630QM +
min: 5030     avg: 6268     median: 6267.5 (57%)     max: 7505 Points
108%
1 3632QM +
6764 Points (61%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 3630QM +
min: 11570     avg: 11755     median: 11755 (23%)     max: 11940 Points
93%
1 3632QM +
10911 Points (21%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 3630QM +
min: 10711     avg: 10734     median: 10733.5 (22%)     max: 10756 Points
90%
1 3632QM +
9690 Points (20%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 3630QM +
min: 9303     avg: 9799     median: 9798.5 (26%)     max: 10294 Points
95%
1 3632QM +
9297 Points (24%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3540M → 100% n=24

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3630QM → 139% n=24

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3632QM → 127% n=24

- 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

v1.26
log 19. 21:49:58

#0 checking url part for id 3628 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 3359 +0s ... 0s

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

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Fri, 19 Apr 2024 05:38:49 +0200 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.035s ... 0.036s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.036s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 3628 +0.003s ... 0.039s

#8 got single benchmarks 3628 +0.012s ... 0.052s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 3359 +0.002s ... 0.054s

#10 got single benchmarks 3359 +0.074s ... 0.128s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 3366 +0.003s ... 0.131s

#12 got single benchmarks 3366 +0.031s ... 0.162s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.162s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.334s ... 0.496s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.496s

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> 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)