Intel Core i3-N300 vs Intel Core i7-3612QM Comparison

The Intel Core i3-N300 and Intel Core i7-3612QM are two mobile processors from different eras, and the benchmark data reflects a fascinating split. The i3-N300 wins four of the six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the i7-3612QM takes the two most demanding multi-threaded workloads. For users prioritizing modern efficiency and strong single-core performance in short bursts, the i3-N300 is the clear choice. However, for sustained heavy multi-threaded rendering, the older i7-3612QM still holds a significant advantage in the Cinebench R23 test, making it the pick for that specific workload.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i3-N300 is the overall winner in raw benchmark volume, securing victories in the Cinebench R15 and R20 suites, both single-core and multi-core. Its single-core performance is dramatically better, leading by 54.5% in R15 and 72.1% in R20. This makes it the superior processor for everyday tasks, light productivity, and any application that relies on quick, responsive single-threaded execution.

The Intel Core i7-3612QM, despite being a decade older, fights back in the Cinebench R23 tests. It wins multi-core by a substantial 35.4% margin and edges out a win in single-core by 7.7%. This suggests that for sustained, heavily threaded rendering workloads that stress the processor over a longer period, the i7-3612QM's architecture provides a performance advantage that the i3-N300 cannot match. The i7-3612QM also has a higher TDP of 35W versus the i3-N300's 7W, indicating it is designed for a different power envelope.

If a user needs a chip for general use, web browsing, and office applications, the i3-N300 is the data-backed recommendation. If the primary task is long-form video rendering or 3D modeling that leverages all cores, the i7-3612QM is the better option, despite its age. The i3-N300 is the more versatile and efficient choice for most modern scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results clearly separate these two CPUs into distinct use cases. The Intel Core i3-N300 dominates in Cinebench R15 and R20, which are shorter, more burst-oriented workloads. In the R15 multi-core test, it scores 416 versus 397, a 4.8% win. The margin expands in R20, where it scores 2849 versus 1656, a massive 72% advantage. This pattern is even more pronounced in single-core tests, where the i3-N300's modern Gracemont architecture shines, delivering 54.5% and 72.1% leads in R15 and R20, respectively.

Conversely, the Intel Core i7-3612QM wins the longer, more strenuous Cinebench R23 benchmark. It scores 3944 in multi-core versus the i3-N300's 2546, a 35.4% victory. It also wins the R23 single-core test with a score of 556 versus 513, a 7.7% edge. This indicates that under sustained load, the i7-3612QM's Ivy Bridge architecture can leverage its design to outperform the newer chip. The i3-N300 is the winner for snappy, responsive performance, while the i7-3612QM is the winner for prolonged, heavy computational tasks.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is vast. The Intel Core i3-N300 is built on a 10 nm process node and uses the Gracemont architecture, while the Intel Core i7-3612QM uses the much older 22 nm Ivy Bridge design. This process difference is a primary driver of the i3-N300's efficiency, as reflected in its 7W TDP compared to the i7-3612QM's 35W TDP. The i3-N300 features 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-3612QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading to reach the same thread count.

Cache configurations also differ. The i3-N300 has a per-core L1 cache of 96 KB and a per-module L2 cache of 2 MB, while the i7-3612QM has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache. The i3-N300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a single-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, whereas the i7-3612QM uses a dual-channel memory bus. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3-N300 featuring UHD Graphics 770 and the i7-3612QM using Intel HD 4000. The i3-N300 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes, a feature not listed for the i7-3612QM.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i3-N300 has 8 cores, while the Intel Core i7-3612QM has 4 cores. Both have 8 threads.

Q: Is the newer Intel Core i3-N300 faster in all benchmarks?

A: No. The i3-N300 wins in Cinebench R15 and R20, but the i7-3612QM wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core tests.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is in the Cinebench R20 multi-core test, where the i3-N300 leads by 72.1%. The i7-3612QM's biggest win is in R23 multi-core, with a 35.4% lead.

Q: Which chip has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM has a much higher TDP of 35W, compared to the 7W TDP of the Intel Core i3-N300.

Q: Do they use the same process node?

A: No. The i3-N300 uses a 10 nm process, while the i7-3612QM uses a 22 nm process.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The i3-N300 has an average benchmark score of 1135, and the i7-3612QM has an average score of 1129. Both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a story of two different performance profiles. The Intel Core i3-N300’s most decisive victories come in the Cinebench R20 suite. In the multi-core test, it scores 2849 against the i7-3612QM's 1656, a 72% advantage. The single-core R20 test is similarly one-sided, with the i3-N300 scoring 401 versus 233, a 72.1% lead. These results demonstrate a dominant performance in this benchmark generation.

The i3-N300 also wins the Cinebench R15 tests, though by smaller margins. It scores 416 versus 397 in multi-core, a 4.8% win, and 85 versus 55 in single-core, a 54.5% victory. These wins show that the i3-N300 is consistently faster in the R15 and R20 workloads.

The Intel Core i7-3612QM's victories are confined to the Cinebench R23 tests. Its most significant win is in the multi-core test, where it scores 3944 versus the i3-N300's 2546, a 35.4% margin. It also takes the single-core R23 test with a score of 556 versus 513, a 7.7% edge. This suggests that the i7-3612QM's architecture is better optimized for the longer, more demanding R23 workload. While the i3-N300 wins the overall benchmark count 4-2, the i7-3612QM's R23 multi-core win is the single largest performance gap in the comparison, making it a critical consideration for sustained rendering tasks.