Intel Core i3-4150 vs Intel Core i7-3612QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data splits cleanly along application type. In the Cinebench suite, the Intel Core i7-3612QM dominates every test, while the Intel Core i3-4150 takes both Geekbench tests. The margin in Cinebench R15 multi-core is 36.9%, with the i7-3612QM scoring 397 against 290 for the i3-4150. That gap is nearly identical in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-3612QM posts 1656 versus 1212, a 36.6% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same pattern: 3944 against 2888, again a 36.6% difference.

The single-core Cinebench results are similarly lopsided. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-3612QM scores 233, which is 37.1% higher than the i3-4150's 170. Cinebench R23 single-core repeats the 36.6% delta, with 556 versus 407. The i7-3612QM wins all five Cinebench tests, and the margins are remarkably consistent, hovering between 36.6% and 37.1% across every iteration of the workload.

The Geekbench results tell the opposite story. In Geekbench single-core, the i3-4150 scores 968 against 501 for the i7-3612QM, a 48.2% advantage. That is the largest delta in either direction across the entire comparison. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-4150 leads 1896 to 1691, a 10.8% edge. So while the i7-3612QM wins on raw multi-threaded rendering workloads, the i3-4150 is substantially faster in Geekbench's single-threaded test and holds a moderate multi-core lead there as well.

Overall, the i7-3612QM wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head benchmarks. The average benchmark score for the i7-3612QM is 1129, while the i3-4150 averages 1119. That 10-point gap is small, and both processors sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the i7-3612QM include the Intel Core i5-4690T at an identical 1129 average score, the Intel Core i7-2720QM at 1128, and the Intel Core i3-4370 at 1130. For the i3-4150, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i7-2860QM at 1120, the Intel Core i5-3550S at 1118, and the AMD Athlon 240GE at 1121.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The i7-3612QM uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, while the i3-4150 uses the Haswell architecture, also on 22 nm. Both have 1,400 million transistors, but the die size differs: the i7-3612QM measures 160 mm², and the i3-4150 is 177 mm².

Core and thread counts are a major differentiator. The i7-3612QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4150 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The i7-3612QM also has a boost clock of 3.10 GHz on top of its 2.10 GHz base clock, whereas the i3-4150 has no boost capability and runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz. Cache configurations differ as well: the i7-3612QM has a 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the i3-4150 has a 3 MB shared L3 cache. Both share the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes, 64 KB and 256 KB respectively.

The memory subsystem is dual-channel for both, but the i3-4150 explicitly supports DDR3 memory and has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i7-3612QM's memory support is not listed in the database, though it also uses dual-channel memory. The i3-4150 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while PCIe information for the i7-3612QM is not recorded.

Integrated graphics differ: the i7-3612QM carries Intel HD 4000, and the i3-4150 has Intel HD 4400. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The sockets are different, with the i7-3612QM on Intel Socket G2 (988B) for mobile platforms and the i3-4150 on Intel Socket 1150 for desktops. The i7-3612QM is a mobile part with a 35 W TDP, while the i3-4150 is a desktop part with a 54 W TDP. The i3-4150 is marked end-of-life in the database, and its release date is 2014-04-30, about two years after the i7-3612QM's 2012-04-28 launch.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear split based on workload type. For multi-threaded rendering tasks in the Cinebench family, the i7-3612QM is the stronger choice by a consistent margin of roughly 37%. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with a larger 6 MB L3 cache, deliver substantially higher scores in every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23. The i3-4150's 2 cores and 4 threads cannot match that throughput, despite its higher base clock.

For single-threaded Geekbench performance, the i3-4150 is clearly superior. Its 48.2% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest difference in the entire comparison, and its 10.8% multi-core advantage in Geekbench shows that its higher clock speed can compensate for fewer cores in some applications. The i3-4150's 3.50 GHz base clock gives it a significant frequency advantage over the i7-3612QM's 2.10 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost.

The production status also matters. The i3-4150 is end-of-life, while the i7-3612QM's production status is not listed. The i3-4150 has a recorded launch MSRP of $117, but the i7-3612QM has no MSRP in the database. Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, and their average scores are close enough that the nearest rivals overlap heavily.

Users who prioritize multi-core rendering should pick the i7-3612QM. Users who need maximum single-thread responsiveness in Geekbench-style workloads should pick the i3-4150. The choice hinges on whether the workload scales across threads or depends on raw clock speed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head tests, with all wins coming in the Cinebench suite. The Intel Core i3-4150 wins the remaining 2 Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The i3-4150 scores 968 in Geekbench single-core against 501 for the i7-3612QM, a 48.2% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison.

Q: What is the multi-core Cinebench R23 score difference?

A: The i7-3612QM scores 3944 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i3-4150 scores 2888. The i7-3612QM leads by 36.6%.

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

A: No. The i7-3612QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4150 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The i3-4150 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz. The i7-3612QM has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz.

Q: Are both processors on the same process node?

A: Yes, both are manufactured on a 22 nm process. The die sizes differ, with the i7-3612QM at 160 mm² and the i3-4150 at 177 mm².

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3612QM wins in every Cinebench rendering test. Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core all favor the i7-3612QM, with deltas between 36.6% and 37.1%. This makes it the clear choice for multi-threaded content creation, rendering, and any workload that benefits from 8 threads and a 6 MB L3 cache. The consistent margin across all Cinebench versions suggests the advantage is structural, driven by core count and cache size rather than workload specifics.

The i3-4150 wins in Geekbench. Its single-core score of 968 is nearly double the i7-3612QM's 501, and its multi-core score of 1896 beats 1691. The 48.2% single-core advantage reflects the i3-4150's 3.50 GHz clock, which is significantly higher than the i7-3612QM's 2.10 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. For applications that rely on single-thread speed, such as legacy software, lightweight productivity tasks, or per-core licensing models, the i3-4150 is the better fit.

The i7-3612QM also carries a lower TDP of 35 W versus 54 W for the i3-4150, which matters for mobile or power-constrained systems. The i3-4150, being a desktop part, has explicit memory support for DDR3 and recorded bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, along with PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, details not listed for the i7-3612QM.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i7-3612QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4150 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the i7-3612QM and 3.50 GHz for the i3-4150; only the i7-3612QM has a boost clock, at 3.10 GHz. TDP is 35 W for the i7-3612QM and 54 W for the i3-4150.

Sockets are different: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-3612QM versus Intel Socket 1150 for the i3-4150. The architectures are Ivy Bridge and Haswell, respectively, with the i7-3612QM having a 160 mm² die and the i3-4150 a 177 mm² die. L3 cache is 6 MB shared for the i7-3612QM and 3 MB shared for the i3-4150. The i3-4150 lists DDR3 memory support and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3612QM only specifies dual-channel memory. PCIe is listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i3-4150, with no PCIe data for the i7-3612QM. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000 for the i7-3612QM and Intel HD 4400 for the i3-4150. The i3-4150 is marked end-of-life, and its release date is 2014-04-30, while the i7-3612QM released on 2012-04-28.