Intel Core i3-1005G1 vs Intel Core i7-3630QM Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split decision. The Intel Core i7-3630QM wins 7 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests, including every multi-threaded workload and every Cinebench single-core test. The Intel Core i3-1005G1 wins only one test, Geekbench single-core, by a substantial margin. For users whose primary workloads are threaded, such as video encoding or 3D rendering, the i7-3630QM is the better choice based on the data. For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness in lightweight applications, the i3-1005G1 holds a distinct advantage in that specific metric. The i3 also operates at a much lower TDP, 15 versus 45, which matters for sustained mobile use, though the recorded benchmark scores do not capture thermal behavior directly. The verdict from the data: the i7-3630QM is the performance leader across the majority of tests, while the i3-1005G1 is the pick for single-thread-centric tasks and power-sensitive designs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i7-3630QM uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, while the i3-1005G1 uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Sunny Cove-U microarchitecture, on a 10 nm node. The i7-3630QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the i3-1005G1 has 2 cores and 4 threads. This core count difference is the primary driver behind the multi-threaded benchmark results.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share the same L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) allocations, but the L3 cache is 6 MB shared on the i7-3630QM compared to 4 MB shared on the i3-1005G1. Memory support differs as well: the i7-3630QM supports DDR3 with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i3-1005G1 supports DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i3-1005G1 has double the memory bandwidth, which is a notable architectural advantage for memory-intensive tasks, though the benchmark results do not show it overcoming the core deficit in multi-threaded tests.

The integrated graphics differ: the i7-3630QM includes Intel HD 4000, while the i3-1005G1 includes UHD Graphics. The i3-1005G1 belongs to a newer generation with a smaller die size, 123 mm² versus 160 mm² for the i7-3630QM. The i7-3630QM has a transistor count of 1,480 million, while the i3-1005G1 does not have a recorded transistor count. The i7-3630QM uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i3-1005G1 uses Intel BGA 1526. PCIe support also varies: the i7-3630QM lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-1005G1 lists Gen 3 without a lane count. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3630QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1005G1 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How does the single-core performance compare?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the i3-1005G1 scores 1083 against the i7-3630QM's 633, a 41.6% lead for the i3. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-3630QM scores 616 against 574 for the i3, a 7.3% lead for the i7.

Q: Which processor has the higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core i3-1005G1 supports DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is double the 25.6 GB/s of the DDR3-supporting i7-3630QM.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i7-3630QM has a TDP of 45, while the i3-1005G1 has a TDP of 15. The i3 is designed for much lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The i3-1005G1 was released on 2019-07-31, while the i7-3630QM was released on 2012-09-29. The i7 is end-of-life, while the i3 is listed as active production.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have?

A: The i7-3630QM wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i3-1005G1 wins 1.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every major specification category. The i7-3630QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, compared to 2 cores and 4 threads for the i3-1005G1. The base clock is listed as 2.40 GHz for the i7 and 1200.00 MHz for the i3, though both share a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The TDP is 45 for the i7 and 15 for the i3.

The i7 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process with a 160 mm² die size and 1,480 million transistors. The i3 uses the Ice Lake architecture (Sunny Cove-U) on a 10 nm process with a 123 mm² die size and no recorded transistor count. The i7 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3 has 4 MB. Memory support differs: DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth for the i7, DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s for the i3. The i7 uses Socket G2 (988B), the i3 uses BGA 1526. The integrated GPU is Intel HD 4000 on the i7 and UHD Graphics on the i3. The i7 has a recorded launch MSRP of $378; the i3 has no recorded launch MSRP. The i7 is end-of-life with a release date of 2012-09-29, while the i3 is active with a release date of 2019-07-31. Part numbers also differ: SR0UX for the i7, SRG0SSRGKF for the i3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a consistent pattern in multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3630QM scores 439 against 410 for the i3-1005G1, a 7.1% advantage. The R20 multicore test shows 1832 versus 1709, a 7.2% lead. The R23 multicore test shows 4364 versus 4070, again a 7.2% lead. Geekbench multicore shows 2111 versus 1978, a 6.7% advantage. These results are consistent with the core count difference: the i7 has twice the cores and threads, but the newer architecture of the i3 narrows the gap to a modest 7% range.

In single-core tests, the results are mixed. Cinebench R15 single-core shows the i7 ahead at 61 versus 57, a 7% lead. R20 single-core shows 258 versus 241, a 7.1% lead. R23 single-core shows 616 versus 574, a 7.3% lead. However, Geekbench single-core flips the result dramatically: the i3-1005G1 scores 1083 against 633 for the i7, a 41.6% lead. This is the only test where the i3 wins, and it is by a large margin. The discrepancy between Cinebench and Geekbench single-core results suggests that the i3's newer architecture excels in specific single-threaded workloads but not in others.

The aggregate benchmark averages reflect the overall balance. The i7-3630QM has an average benchmark score of 1289, while the i3-1005G1 has 1265. The i7's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6272 (delta 0.1%), Intel Core i5-4670R (delta 0.2%), Intel Core i5-3570 (delta 0.3%), and Intel Core i5-3570K (delta -0.3%). The i3's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2102 (delta 0.1%), AMD Athlon 200GE (delta 0.4%), Intel Core i7-3615QM (delta 0.4%), and Intel Core i5-4670T (delta -0.5%). Both processors sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3630QM wins in all multi-threaded workloads. The data shows 7.1% to 7.2% leads across the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, plus a 6.7% lead in Geekbench multicore. This makes it the better choice for rendering, compiling, or any workload that scales with core count. It also wins in all Cinebench single-core tests, with leads ranging from 7% to 7.3%. The i7's 4-core, 8-thread configuration gives it a structural advantage that the i3's newer architecture cannot fully overcome in these tests.

The i3-1005G1 wins in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1083 against 633, a 41.6% lead. This is a decisive win in that specific test, indicating that the newer Sunny Cove cores are substantially faster in certain single-threaded scenarios. The i3 also has the advantage of a much lower TDP (15 versus 45) and double the memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s), which are relevant for thin-and-light laptop designs. However, the benchmark data does not show these advantages translating into wins outside of Geekbench single-core.

The use-case split is clear from the numbers. If the workload is multi-threaded, the i7-3630QM is the winner across the board. If the workload is single-threaded and specifically resembles the Geekbench test, the i3-1005G1 offers a significant performance advantage. For general-purpose use, the i7's 7 wins out of 8 tests make it the more broadly capable processor according to the recorded benchmarks.