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Intel Core i7-3612QM vs Intel Core i7-3517U vs Intel Core i7-3520M

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 i7-3517U

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i7-3517U is a fast ULV-processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture released 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 1.9 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.0 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessors, 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 i7-3517U is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. Therefore, and because of the higher clock speed, the older Core i7-2677M is easily outperformed.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 350 MHz up to 1150 MHz with Turbo Boost, delivering a performance comparable with an AMD Radeon HD 6620G.

The ULV-CPUs are rated at a TDP of 17 W including graphics card and memory controller.  Therefore, the CPU is suited for small laptops and ultrabooks.

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.

ModelIntel Core i7-3612QMIntel Core i7-3517UIntel Core i7-3520M
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 i7-3612QM « 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 i7-3520M2.9 - 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 i7-3517U « 1.9 - 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
Clock2100 - 3100 MHz1900 - 3000 MHz2900 - 3600 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB128 KB128 KB
L2 Cache1 MB512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache6 MB4 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 82 / 42 / 4
TDP35 Watt17 Watt35 Watt
Transistors1400 Million
Technology22 nm22 nm22 nm
Die Size160 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C
SocketFCBGA1224, FCPGA988BGA1023, PGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 4000 (650-1100MHz), DDR3(L)-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationTurbo Boost 2.0, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization VT-x, Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d), Trusted Execution, AES, Intel 64, Anti-Theft, My WiFi, Idle States, Enhanced SpeedStep, Thermal Monitorin, Execute Disable BitHD Graphics 4000, DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1100 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (350 - 1150 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1250 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
$346 U.S.

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 4.2     avg: 5.4     median: 5.6 (7%)     max: 5.66 Points
min: 2.51     avg: 2.7     median: 2.8 (4%)     max: 2.82 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: 0.89     avg: 1.2     median: 1.3 (32%)     max: 1.29 Points
min: 1.14     avg: 1.2     median: 1.2 (30%)     max: 1.25 Points
min: 1.41     avg: 1.4     median: 1.5 (36%)     max: 1.47 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 2961     avg: 3947     median: 4112.5 (25%)     max: 4163 Points
min: 3860     avg: 4041     median: 4024.5 (24%)     max: 4170 Points
min: 4408     avg: 4813     median: 4855 (29%)     max: 4903 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 11636     avg: 15072     median: 15678 (11%)     max: 15937 Points
min: 8015     avg: 8524     median: 8596.5 (6%)     max: 8704 Points
min: 9112     avg: 10167     median: 10467 (8%)     max: 10605 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 14549     avg: 18508     median: 19210 (13%)     max: 19463 Points
min: 9842     avg: 10589     median: 10674 (7%)     max: 10904 Points
min: 11581     avg: 12766     median: 12889.5 (9%)     max: 13151 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
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: 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: 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
min: 3961     avg: 4028     median: 4047 (6%)     max: 4057 Points
min: 2376     avg: 2631     median: 2465 (4%)     max: 3682 Points
min: 2661     avg: 2863     median: 2715 (4%)     max: 3527 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 30.94     avg: 31.1     median: 31.1 (11%)     max: 31.14 fps
min: 14.38     avg: 15.6     median: 15.9 (6%)     max: 16 fps
min: 6.7     avg: 16.1     median: 18.9 (7%)     max: 19.44 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 122.1     avg: 123.6     median: 123.8 (29%)     max: 124.6 fps
min: 82.3     avg: 83.3     median: 83 (19%)     max: 85 fps
min: 35.1     avg: 86.2     median: 98.6 (23%)     max: 101.8 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.218     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.291 GB/s
min: 0.144     avg: 0.1     median: 0.1 (0%)     max: 0.15 GB/s
min: 0.164     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.176 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.366     avg: 0.5     median: 0.5 (8%)     max: 0.501 GB/s
min: 0.245     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (4%)     max: 0.25 GB/s
min: 0.249     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.302 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 2.1     avg: 2.5     median: 2.7 (7%)     max: 2.8 GB/s
min: 0.274     avg: 1.2     median: 1.4 (4%)     max: 1.4 GB/s
min: 1.2     avg: 1.6     median: 1.7 (4%)     max: 1.7 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4078     avg: 5080     median: 5466 (12%)     max: 5552 Points
min: 2949     avg: 3382     median: 3430 (7%)     max: 3570 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: 12.8     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: 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: 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: 72000     avg: 86945     median: 89930 (43%)     max: 95920 MIPS
min: 47300     avg: 50913     median: 50800 (24%)     max: 54750 MIPS
min: 55800     avg: 63808     median: 67130 (32%)     max: 69140 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 51000     avg: 65015     median: 69190 (53%)     max: 70680 MFLOPS
min: 34130     avg: 34858     median: 35035 (27%)     max: 35230 MFLOPS
min: 41450     avg: 42502     median: 42450 (33%)     max: 44032 MFLOPS
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 7.2     avg: 7.5     median: 7.5 (96%)     max: 7.5 Points
min: 7     avg: 7.1     median: 7.1 (91%)     max: 7.1 Points
7.2 Points (92%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 8328     avg: 16910     median: 17837.5 (16%)     max: 19780 Points
min: 6288     avg: 8846     median: 9288.5 (8%)     max: 9552 Points
min: 9277     avg: 11188     median: 11511 (10%)     max: 11788 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 5234     avg: 6378     median: 6388.5 (17%)     max: 7418 Points
min: 2966     avg: 3437     median: 3409 (9%)     max: 3988 Points
min: 3582     avg: 4275     median: 4466 (12%)     max: 4774 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 3517U +
31781 Points (26%)
123%
1 3520M +
39221 Points (32%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 3517U +
2734 Points (7%)
124%
1 3520M +
3393 Points (9%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 3517U +
3880 Points (7%)
123%
1 3520M +
4772 Points (9%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
100%
1 3517U +
5172 Points (42%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 3517U +
5174 Points (47%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 3517U +
6165 Points (12%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 3517U +
5564 Points (11%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 3517U +
5657 Points (15%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3612QM → 100% n=23

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3517U → 72% n=23

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3520M → 82% 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

v1.26
log 28. 11:51:36

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

#1 checking url part for id 3098 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 3065 +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 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:35:32 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.034s ... 0.035s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.035s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 3087 +0.003s ... 0.037s

#8 got single benchmarks 3087 +0.051s ... 0.088s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 3098 +0.003s ... 0.091s

#10 got single benchmarks 3098 +0.069s ... 0.16s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 3065 +0.003s ... 0.163s

#12 got single benchmarks 3065 +0.031s ... 0.194s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.194s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.257s ... 0.451s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.451s

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