Intel Core i5-3210M vs Intel Core i7-3687U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two mobile Ivy Bridge processors. Across seven benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core i7-3687U claims victory in five tests, while the Intel Core i5-3210M takes the remaining two. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

In the Cinebench suite, the i7-3687U consistently outperforms the i5-3210M by a narrow but repeatable margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3687U scores 224 against 210 for the i5-3210M, a delta of 6.7%. That advantage persists through Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-3687U posts 937 versus 879, a 6.6% lead. The single-core results follow the same trend: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 132 against 123, a 7.3% gap, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 315 versus 295, a 6.8% difference. The largest Cinebench advantage for the i7-3687U comes in R23 multicore, where it scores 2231 against 2095, a 6.5% delta.

The i5-3210M fights back decisively in the Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 1116 against 1044 for the i7-3687U, a 6.5% swing in the opposite direction. The single-core Geekbench result is even more lopsided: the i5-3210M scores 587 while the i7-3687U manages only 526, a 10.4% deficit for the i7. This is the largest margin in either direction across all seven tests.

The average benchmark scores reflect this mixed picture. The i7-3687U carries an average score of 773, while the i5-3210M sits at 758. The i7-3687U lands in the 21st percentile of all CPUs, and the i5-3210M in the 20th, a negligible overall separation. The nearest rivals for the i7-3687U include the Intel Core i5-680 at 772 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i3-3250T at 775 (0.2% lower), and the Intel Celeron G5920 at 775 (0.2% lower). The i5-3210M's closest competitors are the Intel Core i3-5020U at 757 (0.1% higher), the Intel Xeon E5450 at 756 (0.2% higher), and the Intel Core i5-4250U at 756 (0.3% higher).

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark distribution suggests distinct strengths. The i7-3687U dominates in the Cinebench rendering workloads, which are typically multi-threaded and sensitive to sustained throughput. Its 6.5% to 7.3% advantage across all five Cinebench tests indicates a consistent edge in CPU-bound productivity tasks. The i7-3687U also holds a slight edge in average benchmark score, 773 versus 758, and a marginally higher percentile ranking at 21 versus 20.

The i5-3210M, by contrast, wins in Geekbench, which often emphasizes memory latency and integer performance. Its single-core Geekbench lead of 10.4% is substantial, suggesting that workloads relying on rapid sequential execution may favor the i5-3210M. The multicore Geekbench result reinforces this, with the i5-3210M leading by 6.5%.

For users prioritizing rendering, video encoding, or other Cinebench-style workloads, the i7-3687U is the stronger choice. For tasks that resemble Geekbench's mixed integer and memory patterns, the i5-3210M may respond faster. The data does not indicate a universal winner; the right pick depends on the workload mix.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental design: they are built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, use a 22 nm process node, and are manufactured by Intel. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, and both include the Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics. The die size is identical at 118 mm², and neither supports ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The differences are concentrated in clock speeds, power envelope, cache, and socket. The i7-3687U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the i5-3210M runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The i7-3687U trades a lower base clock for a higher boost ceiling. The thermal design power differs sharply: 17 watts for the i7-3687U versus 35 watts for the i5-3210M. This suggests the i7-3687U is engineered for thinner, lighter systems with less cooling headroom.

Cache allocation also differs. The i7-3687U carries 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3210M has 3 MB. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) configuration. Memory support is dual-channel for both, though the database lists DDR3 support for the i7-3687U and leaves that field blank for the i5-3210M.

The sockets are different as well. The i7-3687U uses Intel BGA 1023, which is a soldered, board-mounted package. The i5-3210M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a socketed design that can be replaced. The release dates differ: the i5-3210M appeared on May 31, 2012, and the i7-3687U followed on January 7, 2013.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-3687U has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, compared to 3.10 GHz for the Intel Core i5-3210M.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i7-3687U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3210M has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor consumes less power?

A: The i7-3687U has a thermal design power of 17 watts, while the i5-3210M has a thermal design power of 35 watts.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are built on the Ivy Bridge architecture with a 22 nm process node and the Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.

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

A: The i5-3210M scores 587 in Geekbench single-core, while the i7-3687U scores 526, giving the i5-3210M a 10.4% advantage.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i7-3687U has an average benchmark score of 773, and the i5-3210M has an average benchmark score of 758.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i7-3687U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, whereas the i5-3210M has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. The thermal design power is 17 watts for the i7-3687U and 35 watts for the i5-3210M.

The socket is different: the i7-3687U uses Intel BGA 1023, and the i5-3210M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). The shared L3 cache is 4 MB for the i7-3687U and 3 MB for the i5-3210M. Memory support is listed as DDR3 for the i7-3687U, while the field is not specified for the i5-3210M.

The release dates differ as well. The i5-3210M was released on May 31, 2012, and the i7-3687U was released on January 7, 2013. The part numbers are SR0XH for the i7-3687U and SR0MZ for the i5-3210M. The generation labels also vary: the i7-3687U is listed as Core i7 (Ivy Bridge), and the i5-3210M is listed as Core i5 (Ivy Bridge).

The Verdict

The data points to complementary profiles rather than a single superior option. The Intel Core i7-3687U is the stronger performer in Cinebench workloads, leading by 6.5% to 7.3% across all five tests. It also carries a higher average benchmark score (773 versus 758) and a higher boost clock (3.30 GHz versus 3.10 GHz). Its 4 MB L3 cache and 17 watt thermal design power make it suitable for systems where power efficiency and sustained rendering performance matter.

The Intel Core i5-3210M, however, wins decisively in Geekbench tests, with a 10.4% single-core advantage and a 6.5% multicore advantage. Its higher base clock of 2.50 GHz likely contributes to this result. The i5-3210M also uses a socketed package, which may be relevant for users who anticipate future replacement or upgrades.

The choice depends on the intended use. For rendering, encoding, and other Cinebench-style tasks, the i7-3687U offers a consistent edge. For mixed integer workloads, memory-sensitive tasks, or scenarios where the higher base clock matters, the i5-3210M may respond better. Neither processor dominates the other across the full benchmark set; the recorded data shows a genuine trade-off between the two.