Intel Core i3-7100T vs Intel Core i7-3610QM Comparison

The Intel Core i3-7100T and Intel Core i7-3610QM occupy the same overall performance percentile, yet they achieve that standing through radically different designs and benchmark profiles. The i3-7100T is a modern 14 nm dual-core desktop chip from the Kaby Lake generation, while the i7-3610QM is a 22 nm quad-core mobile processor from the Ivy Bridge era. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1258 for the i3-7100T and 1244 for the i7-3610QM — placing both at the 34th percentile of all CPUs. However, the distribution of wins across individual tests tells a more complex story: the i7-3610QM wins 5 of 7 head-to-head benchmarks, but the i3-7100T wins the two Geekbench tests by decisive margins, including a 106.9% single-core advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QM has 4 physical cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-7100T has 2 physical cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T has an average benchmark score of 1258, while the Intel Core i7-3610QM scores 1244. The i3-7100T is 1.1% higher than the i7-3610QM, as listed in the rival delta data.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QM wins all four Cinebench multi-core tests. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4373 versus 3175 for the i3-7100T, a 27.4% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench single-core tests?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T wins decisively, scoring 1111 versus 537 for the i7-3610QM. That is a 106.9% delta in favor of the i3-7100T.

Q: What is the memory support difference?

A: The i3-7100T supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3610QM supports DDR3 memory with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two chips?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T is listed as Active production, while the Intel Core i7-3610QM is End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The Intel Core i3-7100T is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-3610QM uses Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This generational gap shows up in several fundamental design choices.

Core counts differ substantially: the i3-7100T provides 2 cores and 4 threads, whereas the i7-3610QM doubles that with 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7-3610QM also carries more cache — 6 MB of shared L3 versus 3 MB on the i3-7100T. Both chips have identical per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes at 64 KB and 256 KB respectively, but the quad-core i7-3610QM has more aggregate cache due to its extra cores.

Memory architecture diverges as well. The i3-7100T supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-3610QM is limited to DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. This gives the newer chip a 50% theoretical memory bandwidth advantage. Both support dual-channel memory and neither supports ECC.

The integrated graphics differ by generation. The i3-7100T pairs with Intel HD 630, while the i7-3610QM uses the older Intel HD 4000. PCIe support is identical at Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i7-3610QM is documented with 1,400 million transistors and a 160 mm² die size; no transistor or die size data is provided for the i3-7100T.

Clock speed strategy also differs. The i3-7100T runs a fixed base clock of 3.40 GHz with no boost clock listed. The i7-3610QM has a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz but can boost up to 3.30 GHz. The i7-3610QM carries a 45 W TDP versus 35 W for the i3-7100T. The socket situation is entirely different: the i3-7100T uses Intel Socket 1151 for desktop, while the i7-3610QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B) for mobile.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split based on workload type. For multi-threaded rendering and compute tasks, the Intel Core i7-3610QM is the stronger choice. It wins every Cinebench multi-core test by margins of 27.4% to 27.5%. This includes Cinebench R15 multi-core (440 vs 319), R20 multi-core (1836 vs 1333), and R23 multi-core (4373 vs 3175). The i7-3610QM also wins Cinebench single-core tests, including R20 single-core (259 vs 188) and R23 single-core (617 vs 448).

For single-threaded Geekbench workloads, the Intel Core i3-7100T is vastly superior. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1111 more than doubles the i7-3610QM's 537, a 106.9% delta. The i3-7100T also wins Geekbench multi-core with 2230 versus 1831, a 21.8% advantage despite having half the cores.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly tied, with the i3-7100T at 1258 and the i7-3610QM at 1244. Both sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-3610QM's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 (1235, 0.7% behind) and the Intel Core i3-8109U (1235, 0.7% behind). The i3-7100T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3615QM (1260, 0.2% ahead) and the AMD Athlon 200GE (1261, 0.2% ahead).

Given that the i7-3610QM is a mobile processor (now end-of-life) and the i3-7100T is an active desktop part, platform compatibility matters. The i7-3610QM uses Socket G2 (988B) and supports DDR3; the i3-7100T uses Socket 1151 and supports DDR4. Buyers on a modern desktop platform would naturally lean toward the i3-7100T, while those working with older mobile hardware would find the i7-3610QM relevant. The i7-3610QM was launched with an MSRP of $378; the i3-7100T has no listed launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The i3-7100T has 2 cores and 4 threads; the i7-3610QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for the i3-7100T versus 2.30 GHz for the i7-3610QM, with the i7-3610QM adding a 3.30 GHz boost clock that the i3-7100T lacks.

TDP ratings differ: 35 W for the i3-7100T and 45 W for the i7-3610QM. Process nodes are 14 nm versus 22 nm respectively. The i7-3610QM is documented with 1,400 million transistors and a 160 mm² die size; no comparable data exists for the i3-7100T.

L3 cache is 3 MB shared on the i3-7100T versus 6 MB shared on the i7-3610QM. Memory support is DDR4 for the i3-7100T and DDR3 for the i7-3610QM. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 630 on the i3-7100T and Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3610QM.

Sockets are entirely incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the i3-7100T and Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-3610QM. Market segments differ (Desktop versus Mobile), as do production statuses (Active versus End-of-life). Release dates are January 2017 for the i3-7100T and April 2012 for the i7-3610QM. The i7-3610QM has a launch MSRP of $378; the i3-7100T has none listed. Both are locked multipliers, both support dual-channel memory, both lack ECC, and both have Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-3610QM dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3610QM scores 440 versus 319 for the i3-7100T, a 27.5% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1836 versus 1333, a 27.4% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same pattern: 4373 versus 3175, again 27.4%. The i7-3610QM also wins Cinebench R20 single-core (259 vs 188) and R23 single-core (617 vs 448), both at 27.4% deltas.

The Intel Core i3-7100T strikes back in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-7100T scores 2230 versus 1831, a 21.8% advantage. The single-core Geekbench gap is enormous: 1111 versus 537, a 106.9% delta. This is the single largest performance differential in either direction across all benchmarks.

The pattern suggests that the i7-3610QM's advantage is tied to its higher core count and cache, which help in Cinebench's render workloads. The i3-7100T's advantage appears tied to its newer architecture and higher base clock, which dramatically help in Geekbench single-threaded tests. Notably, the i3-7100T wins Geekbench multi-core despite having half the cores, indicating that architectural efficiency and memory bandwidth can overcome core-count disadvantages in some workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3610QM wins in all Cinebench scenarios. This includes multi-core renders and single-core renders within the Cinebench suite. Users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23 will see consistent 27.4% to 27.5% improvements with the i7-3610QM. The i7-3610QM's 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with 6 MB of L3 cache, provide a decisive edge in these rendering workloads.

The Intel Core i3-7100T wins in Geekbench scenarios. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1111 is more than double the i7-3610QM's 537, and its Geekbench multi-core score of 2230 beats 1831 by 21.8%. The i3-7100T's advantage likely stems from its 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture, higher 3.40 GHz base clock, and faster DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

For users whose workloads resemble Cinebench — heavily threaded rendering, 3D visualization, or video encoding — the i7-3610QM is the clear pick from the data. For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench — shorter bursts of single-threaded activity, general desktop responsiveness, or legacy application compatibility — the i3-7100T offers a massive single-core advantage. The i7-3610QM also carries the advantage of being a mobile chip with a 45 W TDP, while the i3-7100T is a desktop chip with a 35 W TDP. Platform availability may ultimately decide the matter, as these two processors use incompatible sockets and memory types.