Intel Core i3-3250T vs Intel Core i5-3610ME Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the Intel Core i5-3610ME across every Cinebench iteration in the database. In the five head-to-head comparisons, the i5-3610ME wins all five, with delta percentages ranging from 1.5% to 1.8%. This is not a sweeping victory; it is a methodical, repeatable edge that appears in both multi-core and single-core workloads.

Starting with the multi-core tests, the i5-3610ME scores 230 in Cinebench R15 multicore against 226 for the i3-3250T, a delta of 1.8%. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the gap narrows slightly to 1.7%, with scores of 961 and 945 respectively. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-3610ME posts 2289 versus 2252, again a 1.6% advantage. The pattern holds: each newer version of the renderer shows the same relative positioning, indicating the performance difference is stable across workload generations rather than being an artifact of a single test.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3610ME records 135 against 133 for the i3-3250T, a 1.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the scores are 323 and 318, a 1.6% delta. The fact that the single-core advantage is nearly as large as the multi-core advantage is notable. For a dual-core, four-thread processor, the database shows that the i5-3610ME's edge is not dependent on thread scheduling or multi-threaded scaling; it appears even when only one core is active.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the i5-3610ME has an average benchmark score of 788, while the i3-3250T sits at 775. That is a 13-point gap, or roughly 1.7%. Both processors occupy the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are near-identical in overall standing. The nearest rivals for the i5-3610ME include the Intel Core i5-4210U at a 0% delta (same 788 average score), the AMD Opteron 3350 HE and Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 both at -0.2%, and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 at -0.2%. For the i3-3250T, the nearest rivals are the Intel Celeron G5920 at 0%, the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 at -0.1%, the AMD Athlon X4 760K at -0.2%, and the Intel Core i7-3687U at +0.3%.

The headline observation is that the i5-3610ME wins every head-to-head benchmark, but the margins are small enough that they fall within typical run-to-run variance for many workloads. A 1.5% to 1.8% delta is measurable but not transformative. The data does not show a case where one processor is dramatically faster; instead, the i5-3610ME is uniformly the faster part, with the i3-3250T trailing by a consistent single-digit percentage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-3610ME scores 2289, while the Intel Core i3-3250T scores 2252. The i5-3610ME leads by 1.6%.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The i5-3610ME leads in both recorded single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 135 versus 133 (1.5% delta), and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 323 versus 318 (1.6% delta).

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes. Both are dual-core processors with four threads, as recorded in the database.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i5-3610ME has an average benchmark score of 788, and the i3-3250T has an average benchmark score of 775. Both are in the 21st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i3-3250T has a base clock of 3.00 GHz, while the i5-3610ME has a base clock of 2.70 GHz. However, the i5-3610ME has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the i3-3250T has no boost clock recorded.

Q: Are there any benchmark categories where the i3-3250T wins?

A: In the head-to-head benchmark data, the i3-3250T does not win any of the five recorded tests. The i5-3610ME wins all five.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture generation: Ivy Bridge on a 22 nm process from Intel. The codename is identical for both, and both have a dual-core, four-thread configuration. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 cache is 256 KB per core, and L3 cache is 3 MB shared, identical on both parts.

The first architectural divergence is the die size. The i5-3610ME has a die size of 118 mm², while the i3-3250T is smaller at 94 mm². This difference is not reflected in cache capacity, as both have the same 3 MB shared L3, so the larger die on the i5-3610ME likely accommodates other features, such as a more capable integrated graphics solution.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i5-3610ME carries Intel HD 4000, while the i3-3250T has Intel HD 2500. The database does not list specifications for these graphics units, so a direct performance comparison is not possible from the recorded data. However, the HD 4000 is a higher-tier integrated graphics solution than the HD 2500 within the same generation.

Another architectural difference is the socket. The i5-3610ME uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), which is a mobile socket, while the i3-3250T uses Intel Socket 1155, a desktop socket. This dictates the platform: the i5-3610ME is a mobile part, and the i3-3250T is a desktop part. The market segment confirms this: the i5-3610ME is listed as Mobile, and the i3-3250T as Desktop.

The i5-3610ME has no memory support field listed, while the i3-3250T explicitly supports DDR3 memory. The i3-3250T also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-3610ME has no such figure. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i3-3250T additionally lists PCIe support as Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only), while the i5-3610ME has no PCIe field.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The production status fields differ: the i3-3250T is marked as End-of-life, while the i5-3610ME has no production status listed.

Specification Differences

The table of recorded specifications shows the following differences between the two processors:

• Base clock: The i5-3610ME runs at 2.70 GHz, while the i3-3250T runs at 3.00 GHz. The i3-3250T has a higher base clock by 0.30 GHz.
• Boost clock: The i5-3610ME has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i3-3250T has no boost clock listed, meaning it runs at its base clock only.
• Socket: The i5-3610ME uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), the i3-3250T uses Intel Socket 1155.
• Die size: The i5-3610ME is 118 mm², the i3-3250T is 94 mm².
• Memory support: The i3-3250T lists DDR3 support and a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i5-3610ME has no memory support or bandwidth entries.
• PCIe: The i3-3250T lists Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only). The i5-3610ME has no PCIe entry.
• Integrated graphics: The i5-3610ME has Intel HD 4000, the i3-3250T has Intel HD 2500.
• Market segment: The i5-3610ME is Mobile, the i3-3250T is Desktop.
• Production status: The i3-3250T is End-of-life, the i5-3610ME has no status.
• Release date: The i5-3610ME was released on 2012-05-31, the i3-3250T on 2013-06-08.
• Part number: The i5-3610ME is SR0QJ, the i3-3250T is SR0YW.

The similarities are extensive: both have 2 cores, 4 threads, 35 W TDP, 22 nm process, Ivy Bridge architecture, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 3 MB shared L3, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC, and no unlocked multiplier. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow choice. The Intel Core i5-3610ME wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas between 1.5% and 1.8%. Its average benchmark score of 788 is 13 points higher than the i3-3250T's 775. If the only criterion is raw benchmark performance, the i5-3610ME is the better part.

However, the practical significance of a 1.5% to 1.8% lead is limited. These are not the kind of margins that change the user experience in most applications. The i3-3250T is not far behind; it sits in the same 21st percentile of all CPUs and its nearest rivals are a mix of Intel and AMD parts at similar performance levels. The i5-3610ME's nearest rivals include the i5-4210U at a 0% delta, meaning there are other processors at the same score, so the i5-3610ME is not an outlier in its class.

The platform difference is more significant than the benchmark delta. The i5-3610ME is a mobile processor on Socket G2 (988B), while the i3-3250T is a desktop processor on Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable. The choice between them is largely dictated by the system form factor. If the platform is a mobile laptop, the i5-3610ME is the appropriate option. If the platform is a desktop, the i3-3250T is the matching part.

The i5-3610ME also has the advantage of a boost clock (3.30 GHz versus no boost on the i3-3250T) and a higher-tier integrated graphics solution (HD 4000 versus HD 2500). The i3-3250T counters with a higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.70 GHz), explicit DDR3 support, a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, and PCIe Gen 3 support. The i3-3250T is also marked as End-of-life, while the i5-3610ME has no such status.

For a user who prioritizes benchmark scores and has a mobile chassis, the i5-3610ME is the data-supported pick. For a user on a desktop platform who values the listed memory bandwidth and PCIe support, the i3-3250T is the only compatible choice. The benchmark gap is real but small, and the platform compatibility is the deciding factor.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3610ME wins in every recorded benchmark category. The database shows five head-to-head tests, and the i5-3610ME takes all five. The largest margin is 1.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore, and the smallest is 1.5% in Cinebench R20 single-core. In multi-core workloads, the i5-3610ME leads by 1.6% to 1.8%, and in single-core workloads, it leads by 1.5% to 1.6%. Its integrated graphics, Intel HD 4000, is a higher-tier solution than the i3-3250T's HD 2500, although no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database. The i5-3610ME also has the boost clock advantage, reaching 3.30 GHz when needed, which likely contributes to its single-core wins.

The Intel Core i3-3250T does not win any of the recorded benchmarks. Its advantage lies in platform features rather than performance scores. It has a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz, which means it runs at its full speed without relying on boost behavior. It explicitly supports DDR3 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a figure the database does not list for the i5-3610ME. It also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), which the i5-3610ME does not specify. As a desktop part, it uses the common Socket 1155, which may be more accessible for upgrades or replacements in existing systems. Its End-of-life status suggests it has been in the market longer, but that does not affect performance.

In summary, the i5-3610ME wins on raw compute performance across all recorded tests, with a consistent single-digit percentage lead. The i3-3250T wins on platform specification completeness, with documented memory support, bandwidth, and PCIe capabilities, plus a higher base clock. For users who need the fastest recorded scores, the i5-3610ME is the answer. For users who need a desktop-compatible processor with explicit DDR3 and PCIe Gen 3 support, the i3-3250T is the part that matches those requirements.