Intel Core i3-1005G1 vs Intel Core i7-3632QM Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two mobile processors is unusually lopsided, but it tells a clear story about workload preferences. The Intel Core i3-1005G1 takes 7 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-3632QM manages only a single victory. That one win, however, is substantial and hints at where the older chip retains relevance.

The i3-1005G1 dominates every single-threaded test in the database. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both chips tie at 57 points, but from R20 onward the newer Ice Lake part pulls ahead. The most dramatic gap appears in Geekbench single-core, where the i3-1005G1 scores 1083 against the i7-3632QM's 613, a 76.7% advantage. This is the kind of margin that makes everyday responsiveness, browser work, and lightly threaded applications feel noticeably snappier on the newer chip.

The multi-threaded picture is more nuanced. The i3-1005G1 wins all four Cinebench multi-core tests, but by very small margins: 1% in R15, 0.9% in R20, and 0.9% in R23. These are essentially statistical ties. The i7-3632QM, despite having twice the cores and threads, only manages to lose by a hair in these render workloads. Its single victory comes in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 2142 versus 1978 for the i3-1005G1, a 7.7% lead.

What this suggests is that the i7-3632QM's extra physical resources (4 cores, 8 threads versus 2 cores, 4 threads) matter most in specific multi-threaded scenarios, particularly those that Geekbench's multi-core test captures. For Cinebench, the newer architecture of the i3-1005G1 compensates for its core deficit. The data implies that users running older, thread-hungry applications might still see a benefit from the i7-3632QM, while anyone prioritizing modern workloads should favor the i3-1005G1.

Architecture Differences

These two CPUs come from different eras of Intel mobile design, and the architectural gap explains most of the benchmark outcomes. The i3-1005G1 uses Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the i7-3632QM is built on Ivy Bridge at 22 nm. That process difference alone accounts for much of the efficiency and single-thread performance gap.

The i3-1005G1 packs 2 cores and 4 threads with a base clock of 1200 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The i7-3632QM doubles the core count to 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost of 3.20 GHz. Its L1 and L2 caches match the per-core sizing, but L3 grows to 6 MB shared. The transistor count for the Ivy Bridge part is listed at 1,480 million, and its die size is 160 mm², compared to 123 mm² for the Ice Lake chip.

Memory support also diverges. The i3-1005G1 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i7-3632QM's memory support field is not recorded, though it does list dual-channel memory bus. The i3-1005G1 uses PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-3632QM has no PCIe generation listed.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-1005G1 carries UHD Graphics, while the i7-3632QM has Intel HD 4000. Both are mobile parts, but the newer chip's graphics are built on a much more recent architecture. The i3-1005G1 uses the Intel BGA 1526 socket, while the i7-3632QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a consideration for either.

The release dates show a seven-year gap: the i7-3632QM launched in October 2012, and the i3-1005G1 arrived in July 2019. The i3-1005G1 is still listed as active production, while the i7-3632QM has no production status recorded. This generational separation explains why the newer chip achieves competitive multi-threaded scores despite having half the cores.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking number in the entire comparison is the Geekbench single-core result. The i3-1005G1 scores 1083, while the i7-3632QM manages only 613. That is a 76.7% advantage for the newer chip, and it is the largest delta in any test. This single result highlights how far Intel's single-thread performance advanced between Ivy Bridge and Ice Lake.

Cinebench R15 single-core shows a tie at 57 points each, with a delta of 0%. This is the only exact tie in the dataset. The i3-1005G1 then edges ahead in R20 single-core with 241 versus 238, a 1.3% lead, and in R23 single-core with 574 versus 569, a 0.9% lead. These are small but consistent wins.

The multi-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern of narrow victories for the i3-1005G1. In R15, it scores 410 against 406, a 1% lead. In R20, the margin is 1709 versus 1693, or 0.9%. In R23, it is 4070 versus 4033, again 0.9%. These margins are small enough that they could vary with thermal conditions or background tasks, but the consistency across all three Cinebench versions suggests a genuine, if modest, advantage.

Geekbench multi-core is the one test where the i7-3632QM comes out ahead. It scores 2142 against 1978, a 7.7% lead. This result is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench multi-core pattern. The likely explanation is that Geekbench's multi-core workload scales differently with core count and thread scheduling, favoring the i7-3632QM's 4-core/8-thread configuration more than Cinebench does.

Overall, the i3-1005G1 wins 7 tests and the i7-3632QM wins 1. The average benchmark score reflects this: the i3-1005G1 sits at 1265 with a 35th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i7-3632QM averages 1219 with a 34th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i3-1005G1 include the Intel Xeon W-2102 (0.1% higher), AMD Athlon 200GE (0.4% higher), and Intel Core i7-3615QM (0.4% higher), showing it sits in a tight cluster. The i7-3632QM's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2500 (0.1% lower) and Intel Pentium Silver N6005 (0.1% higher).

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but conditional recommendation. For anyone choosing between these two chips for modern, lightly threaded workloads, the Intel Core i3-1005G1 is the superior option. Its single-core performance is dramatically better, especially in Geekbench where it leads by 76.7%. It also wins every Cinebench test, though by narrow margins. The newer 10 nm process, DDR4 memory support, and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity make it the more future-proof choice.

The Intel Core i7-3632QM still has a reason to exist in the database. Its Geekbench multi-core win by 7.7% shows that its 4-core, 8-thread configuration can outperform the 2-core i3-1005G1 in certain parallel workloads. For users running legacy software that scales well across many threads, the older chip might deliver better performance. Its 6 MB of L3 cache, compared to 4 MB on the i3, also helps in cache-sensitive applications.

However, the overall benchmark picture favors the i3-1005G1. It has a higher average benchmark score (1265 versus 1219), a marginally better percentile ranking (35 versus 34), and wins the majority of tests. The i7-3632QM's higher TDP of 35 watts, versus 15 watts for the i3-1005G1, further tilts the balance toward the newer chip for mobile use, where power efficiency matters. The i3-1005G1 also benefits from being actively produced, while the i7-3632QM has no recorded production status.

The verdict is straightforward: the i3-1005G1 is the better all-around processor according to the recorded benchmarks. The i7-3632QM should only be considered if the specific workload is known to favor its core count, and even then, the margin is limited to that single Geekbench multi-core result.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3632QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1005G1 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i3-1005G1 in single-core Geekbench?

A: The i3-1005G1 scores 1083 versus 613 for the i7-3632QM, a 76.7% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-3632QM win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 2142 against 1978, a 7.7% lead.

Q: What is the process node difference between these two chips?

A: The i3-1005G1 uses a 10 nm process, while the i7-3632QM uses a 22 nm process.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-3632QM has 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the i3-1005G1 has 4 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these processors?

A: The i3-1005G1 has a TDP of 15 watts, and the i7-3632QM has a TDP of 35 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1005G1 | Intel Core i7-3632QM |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1200 MHz | 2200 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3400 MHz | 3200 MHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1526 | Intel Socket G2 (988B) |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,480 million |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | 160 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | Intel HD 4000 |

| Release Date | 2019-07-31 | 2012-10-18 |

| Production Status | Active | Not recorded |