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Intel Core i7-3520M

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.

SeriesIntel Core i7
CodenameIvy Bridge

Series: Core i7 Ivy Bridge

Intel Core i7-3940XM compare3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3920XM compare2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3840QM compare2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3820QM compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3740QM compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3720QM compare2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3635QM compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3630QM compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3615QM compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3610QM compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3632QM compare2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3612QM compare2.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3540M compare3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3520M « 2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3687U compare2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3667U compare2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3537U compare2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3517U compare1.9 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3689Y compare1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock Rate2900 - 3600 MHz
Level 1 Cache128 KB
Level 2 Cache512 KB
Level 3 Cache4 MB
Number of Cores / Threads2 / 4
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power)35 Watt
Manufacturing Technology22 nm
Max. Temperature105 °C
SocketBGA1023, PGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 4000, DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
GPUIntel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1250 MHz)
64 Bit64 Bit support
Architecturex86
Starting Price$346 U.S.
Announcement Date06/03/2012
Product Link (external)ark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 3     avg: 3.3     median: 3.4 (4%)     max: 3.44 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 1.41     avg: 1.4     median: 1.5 (36%)     max: 1.47 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 4408     avg: 4813     median: 4855 (29%)     max: 4903 points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 9112     avg: 10167     median: 10467 (8%)     max: 10605 points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 11581     avg: 12766     median: 12889.5 (9%)     max: 13151 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 6029     avg: 6128     median: 6146.5 (33%)     max: 6203 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 456     avg: 493.2     median: 492.1 (6%)     max: 570 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 2661     avg: 2863     median: 2715 (4%)     max: 3527 points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 6.7     avg: 16.1     median: 18.9 (7%)     max: 19.44 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 35.1     avg: 86.2     median: 98.6 (23%)     max: 101.8 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.164     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (5%)     max: 0.176 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.249     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.302 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 1.2     avg: 1.6     median: 1.7 (4%)     max: 1.7 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
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: 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: 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: 565     avg: 591     median: 594 (3%)     max: 612 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 55800     avg: 63808     median: 67130 (32%)     max: 69140 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 41450     avg: 42502     median: 42450 (33%)     max: 44032 MFLOPS
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 9277     avg: 11188     median: 11511 (11%)     max: 11788 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 3582     avg: 4275     median: 4466 (12%)     max: 4774 Points
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance

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