Intel Core i3-8145UE vs Intel Core i7-3612QE Comparison

The benchmark data places the Intel Core i3-8145UE and the Intel Core i7-3612QE at nearly identical average scores, with the i3-8145UE averaging 1154 and the i7-3612QE averaging 1147. This places both processors at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier despite their architectural differences. The head-to-head results, however, tell a more nuanced story that favors the older i7-3612QE across every recorded test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-3612QE wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with a consistent margin of approximately 15.5% in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3612QE scores 399 against the i3-8145UE’s 337, a delta of -15.5%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-3612QE posts 1666 versus 1408, again a 15.5% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the same relative gap: 3967 for the i7-3612QE compared to 3354 for the i3-8145UE.

Single-core performance also favors the i7-3612QE, though the data is less complete. The i7-3612QE scores 235 in Cinebench R20 single-core, beating the i3-8145UE’s 198 by 15.7%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-3612QE reaches 560 while the i3-8145UE manages 473, a 15.5% difference. Notably, the FACT PACK lacks a Cinebench R15 single-core score for the i3-8145UE, but the i7-3612QE’s score of 56 in that test stands alone.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Every recorded head-to-head benchmark shows the i7-3612QE ahead by roughly 15.5%, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This uniformity suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i3-8145UE’s nearest rival list includes the i7-3612QE with a deltaPct of 0.6, meaning the i3-8145UE is only 0.6% ahead in average benchmark score — a margin that disappears entirely in the head-to-head tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel eras and manufacturing nodes. The i3-8145UE is built on Whiskey Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the i7-3612QE uses Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This process gap is substantial: the 10 nm node is two generations newer than the 22 nm node, which typically implies better power efficiency and transistor density.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i3-8145UE provides 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-3612QE doubles that to 4 cores and 8 threads. This is the most obvious explanation for the i7-3612QE’s multi-core benchmark wins, as it can process twice as many threads simultaneously. The i7-3612QE also carries a larger shared L3 cache at 6 MB, compared to the i3-8145UE’s 4 MB. Both processors have identical per-core L1 and L2 caches at 64 KB and 256 KB respectively.

The i7-3612QE’s larger die size and transistor count reflect its older, less dense manufacturing. It uses 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, while the FACT PACK provides no transistor or die size data for the i3-8145UE. The i3-8145UE compensates with a higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus the i7-3612QE’s 3.10 GHz, and a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz. Despite this clock advantage, the i3-8145UE cannot overcome the i7-3612QE’s core count advantage in any benchmark.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i3-8145UE pairs with UHD Graphics 620, while the i7-3612QE uses Intel HD 4000. Memory support shows the i3-8145UE explicitly supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i7-3612QE’s memory support field is null, though both use dual-channel memory buses. The sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1528 for the i3-8145UE versus Intel BGA 1023 for the i7-3612QE.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8145UE has 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

A: The i7-3612QE scores 3967, which is 15.5% higher than the i3-8145UE’s 3354.

Q: Do the two processors use the same manufacturing node?

A: No, the i3-8145UE uses a 10 nm process node, while the i7-3612QE uses a 22 nm node.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The i3-8145UE boosts to 3.90 GHz, which is higher than the i7-3612QE’s 3.10 GHz boost clock.

Q: How do their L3 caches compare?

A: The i7-3612QE has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-8145UE has 4 MB.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1154 and 1147 respectively.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The i3-8145UE has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-3612QE has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz for the i3-8145UE and 2.10 GHz for the i7-3612QE. Boost clocks diverge more sharply: 3.90 GHz versus 3.10 GHz. Thermal design power differs by more than double: the i3-8145UE is rated at 15 W, while the i7-3612QE is rated at 35 W.

Socket compatibility is exclusive to each: the i3-8145UE uses Intel BGA 1528, and the i7-3612QE uses Intel BGA 1023. Architecture and codename reflect their generations: Whiskey Lake versus Ivy Bridge. Process nodes are 10 nm for the i3-8145UE and 22 nm for the i7-3612QE. The i7-3612QE has documented transistor and die size data (1,400 million transistors, 160 mm²), while the i3-8145UE has none.

Cache sizes differ in L3 only: 4 MB for the i3-8145UE versus 6 MB for the i7-3612QE. Memory support shows the i3-8145UE explicitly supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3612QE lists null memory support and no bandwidth figure. PCIe support is documented for the i3-8145UE as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), but is null for the i7-3612QE. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 620 versus Intel HD 4000. Release dates are 2018-09-30 for the i3-8145UE and 2012-04-28 for the i7-3612QE. The i3-8145UE is marked as Active production, while the i7-3612QE’s production status is null.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3612QE wins every recorded benchmark, making its case straightforward. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core, and Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core. The margins are consistent at approximately 15.5%, which is substantial in CPU benchmarking. This processor is the clear choice for any workload that benefits from raw compute throughput, especially multi-threaded tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, where its 4 cores and 8 threads provide a decisive edge.

The Intel Core i3-8145UE, despite losing all head-to-head comparisons, has advantages that are not captured by the benchmark suite. Its 15 W TDP is less than half of the i7-3612QE’s 35 W, making it more suitable for thermally constrained designs. It also uses a newer 10 nm process node, which typically enables better power efficiency per operation. The higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz suggests it can respond quickly to bursty, short-duration workloads, even if sustained multi-threaded performance lags. Its DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth is a modern feature that the i7-3612QE lacks in the data.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the i3-8145UE’s higher clocks might appear favorable, but the benchmark data contradicts this: the i7-3612QE wins single-core tests by 15.5-15.7%. The i3-8145UE’s wins are therefore not in performance but in efficiency and platform modernity, such as support for newer memory types and a more recent integrated graphics solution.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3612QE outperforms the Intel Core i3-8145UE in every measured benchmark. The 15.5% margin across all tests, consistent from single-core to multi-core workloads, indicates a genuine performance gap that the i3-8145UE’s higher clock speeds cannot bridge. The i7-3612QE’s 4-core, 8-thread configuration provides double the parallel processing capability of the i3-8145UE’s 2-core, 4-thread setup, which is decisive in multi-threaded Cinebench tests.

However, the choice between these processors depends on the use case. A system designer prioritizing maximum benchmark performance should select the i7-3612QE, which delivers superior scores in all recorded tests while consuming 35 W. The i3-8145UE, with its 15 W TDP and newer 10 nm node, is better suited for applications where power efficiency and thermal headroom are more critical than raw compute throughput. Its modern features, including DDR4 memory support and a newer integrated GPU, make it a more contemporary platform choice, but the performance penalty is consistent and measurable.

For users running multi-threaded workloads that stress all cores, the i7-3612QE is the rational pick. For users prioritizing battery life, lower heat output, or compatibility with newer memory standards, the i3-8145UE offers a viable alternative, provided they accept a roughly 15.5% performance deficit across the board. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1154 versus 1147), which might suggest parity, but the head-to-head data reveals a clear hierarchy: the i7-3612QE is the faster processor, and the i3-8145UE is the more efficient one.