Intel Core i3-7300T vs Intel Core i7-3610QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is strikingly one-sided. Across all five recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Core i7-3610QM claims victory, with the Intel Core i3-7300T failing to win a single comparison. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering near the same percentage point across both multi-core and single-core workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3610QM scores 440 points against the i3-7300T's 354, a 24.3% advantage. The same relative performance gap appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7 posts 1836 to the i3's 1477, again a 24.3% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the identical pattern: 4373 versus 3519, with the same 24.3% margin. This consistency across three generations of the Cinebench test suggests the performance difference is structural rather than workload-specific.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though with slightly different magnitudes. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-3610QM scores 259 against the i3-7300T's 208, a 24.5% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 617 versus 496, a 24.4% difference. These margins are marginally larger than the multi-core deltas, indicating that the i7's advantage persists even in lightly threaded tasks.

The Geekbench results are only recorded for the i7-3610QM, with a multi-core score of 1831 and a single-core score of 537. The i3-7300T has no Geekbench entries in the database, so a direct comparison on this platform is unavailable. However, the average benchmark score offers a broader view: the i7 averages 1244 across all recorded tests, while the i3 averages 1211. This places the i7 roughly 2.7% higher overall, though the head-to-head Cinebench results show a much larger gap than the average scores suggest.

Both processors sit at the 34th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they outperform roughly a third of recorded processors. The i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 (average score 1235, a 0.7% deficit) and the Intel Core i3-8109U (also 1235, 0.7% behind), while the i3-7100T sits slightly ahead at 1258, a -1.1% delta from the i7. The i3-7300T's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon E5645 (identical 1211, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 (1212, -0.1%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and target different market segments. The i7-3610QM is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process, while the i3-7300T uses Kaby Lake on a 14 nm node. This process shrink gives the i3 a manufacturing advantage, though the i7's older architecture still delivers higher benchmark scores.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i7-3610QM packs 4 physical cores with 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i3-7300T offers 2 cores and 4 threads. This doubling of cores and threads is the primary driver behind the i7's multi-core wins. The i7's base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, whereas the i3 runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz with no boost capability. Despite the i3's higher base clock, the i7's additional cores more than compensate in threaded workloads.

Cache hierarchies share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) configuration, but the shared L3 differs: the i7 has 6 MB shared, the i3 has 4 MB shared. This 2 MB difference in the last-level cache may contribute to the i7's performance edge in certain workloads, though the core count remains the dominant factor.

Memory support diverges by generation. The i7-3610QM uses DDR3 memory with dual-channel support and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i3-7300T supports DDR4 with dual-channel configuration and a higher bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. This bandwidth advantage belongs to the i3, potentially benefiting memory-intensive tasks, though the benchmark results do not reflect a net win for the i3.

Power and thermal characteristics also differ. The i7-3610QM carries a 45 W TDP, while the i3-7300T draws 35 W. The i3's lower power envelope suits compact desktop builds, whereas the i7's higher budget reflects its mobile heritage and additional cores. Both processors use the same PCIe Gen 3 specification with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the i7 includes Intel HD 4000, while the i3 features Intel HD 630. The i3's newer graphics architecture likely offers better media capabilities, though the database records no graphics benchmarks for either part.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner. The Intel Core i7-3610QM outperforms the Intel Core i3-7300T by roughly 24% across every recorded Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core. The i7 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with no recorded test favoring the i3. The i7's 4-core, 8-thread configuration delivers consistently higher scores than the i3's 2-core, 4-thread setup, despite the i3's newer architecture and higher clock speed.

However, the i3-7300T is not without merits. It draws 10 W less power (35 W versus 45 W), supports faster DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s), and remains in active production while the i7 is end-of-life. For users prioritizing efficiency, modern memory support, or an active product lifecycle, the i3 holds appeal. Yet for raw performance, the i7-3610QM dominates in every measured benchmark.

The percentile rankings are identical at 34%, and the average benchmark scores are close (1244 versus 1211), suggesting that in a broader context these CPUs perform similarly. But the head-to-head data is unambiguous: the i7 wins by a wide margin in every direct comparison. Users who need maximum compute throughput should select the i7-3610QM; users who value lower power consumption and modern platform features may prefer the i3-7300T despite its performance deficit.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-7300T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

A: The i7-3610QM scores 4373, while the i3-7300T scores 3519, giving the i7 a 24.3% advantage.

Q: Does the i3-7300T have a boost clock?

A: No, the i3-7300T runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz base clock with no boost capability. The i7-3610QM has a 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-3610QM uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are both processors in the same market segment?

A: No, the i7-3610QM is a mobile processor using Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i3-7300T is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1151.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-3610QM averages 1244 across all recorded tests, while the i3-7300T averages 1211. Both sit at the 34th percentile among all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3610QM wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its 24.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core (440 versus 354) and R20 multi-core (1836 versus 1477) makes it the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering tasks. Single-core workloads also favor the i7, with a 24.5% margin in R20 single-core (259 versus 208) and 24.4% in R23 single-core (617 versus 496). The i7's 8 threads give it a decisive edge in any parallel workload, from video encoding to compilation tasks.

The i3-7300T wins in efficiency-oriented categories, though these are not reflected in benchmark scores. Its 35 W TDP is 10 W lower than the i7's 45 W, making it better suited for power-constrained builds. The i3 also supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, a 50% improvement over the i7's 25.6 GB/s, which could benefit memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications. The i3 remains in active production, whereas the i7 is end-of-life, so the i3 offers a more future-proof platform for system builders.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance, the i7-3610QM is the unambiguous choice. For users prioritizing power efficiency, modern memory technology, or an actively produced processor, the i3-7300T holds specific advantages despite its lower benchmark scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Core count: 4 cores and 8 threads for the i7-3610QM versus 2 cores and 4 threads for the i3-7300T. Clock speeds: the i7 has a 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, while the i3 has a fixed 3.50 GHz with no boost. TDP: 45 W for the i7, 35 W for the i3. Socket: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7, Intel Socket 1151 for the i3. Architecture: Ivy Bridge (22 nm) for the i7, Kaby Lake (14 nm) for the i3.

Cache: L3 is 6 MB shared for the i7 versus 4 MB shared for the i3. Memory support: DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth for the i7, DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s for the i3. Integrated graphics: Intel HD 4000 for the i7, Intel HD 630 for the i3. Market segment: mobile for the i7, desktop for the i3. Production status: end-of-life for the i7, active for the i3. Release dates: the i7 launched in April 2012, the i3 in January 2017.

The i7 has a recorded launch MSRP of $378. The i3 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Both processors use dual-channel memory, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, have no unlocked multiplier, and do not support ECC memory. The i7 has 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, while the i3 has no recorded transistor count or die size.