Intel Core i7-3612QM vs AMD Ryzen 5 4680U vs Intel Core i7-3520M

Intel Core i7-3612QM

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.

AMD Ryzen 5 4680U

The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is a semi-custom APU of the Renoir family designed for Microsoft devices. The 4680U integrates six CPU cores based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture clocked at 2.2 GHz (base) to 4 GHz (Boost) with SMT support for a total 12 threads. The two advantages a 4680U has over the older Ryzen 5 4600U are its higher base clock speed and a faster iGPU.

Architecture

The chip is manufactured on the modern 7 nm TSMC process and in part thanks to this fact, AMD advertises a 2x performance per watt improvement over the 12 nm Ryzen 3000 mobile processors. The built-in dual-channel memory controller supports LPDDR4-4266 RAM. Furthermore, 8 MB of L3 cache can be found on the chip.

Just like the other mobile Ryzen 4000 CPUs, a 4680U supports PCI-Express 3.0. Please go to our Renoir processor hub page for additional information on the product family.

Performance

Multi-thread performance is most comparable to the Ryzen 7 4700U and the Core i5-10500H, the latter being a much more power-hungry chip. This makes the Ryzen a more than decent CPU for most tasks, as of early 2022.

Graphics

In addition to the six CPU cores, the APU also integrates a DX 12 compatible Radeon RX Vega 7 graphics adapter with 7 CUs (448 unified shaders) at up to 1,500 MHz. The Vega iGPU will have no trouble HW-decoding AVC, HEVC and VP9 videos, but the newer AV1 codec will only be decoded via software. In terms of gaming, we are looking at an MX150-level performance. Pretty much all games released in 2020 can be played on low to medium settings in 720p on this graphics adapter.

Power consumption

This Ryzen 5 series chip has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 15 W, a value that laptop makers - Microsoft, in this case - are free to change to anything between 10 W and 25 W, with clock speeds and performance changing accordingly as a result. Indeed, we saw the CPU consume roughly 23 watts when subjected to our usual stress testing routine.

The 7 nm TSMC process this Ryzen is built with makes for very decent, as of mid 2022, energy efficiency.

Intel Core i7-3520M

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.