Intel Core i5-3210M vs Intel Core i7-860S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows the Intel Core i5-3210M winning six of seven benchmark comparisons, with the Intel Core i7-860S taking a single but decisive victory. The results are not uniform, however, and the margins vary sharply depending on the workload type.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3210M scores 210 against 202 for the i7-860S, a 4% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 879 versus 844, or 4.1% ahead. Cinebench R23 multicore follows with 2095 against 2010, a 4.2% lead. These are consistent but modest wins for the newer mobile chip across all three Cinebench versions.

The single-core Cinebench results are equally consistent. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3210M posts 123 versus 118, a 4.2% margin. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 295 against 283, again 4.2%. The Geekbench single-core result is the largest gap in either direction: the i5-3210M scores 587 while the i7-860S manages only 425, a commanding 38.1% advantage. This is the standout single-threaded performance difference between the two processors.

The one reversal comes in Geekbench multicore. Here the i7-860S scores 1298 against 1116 for the i5-3210M, a 14% swing in favor of the desktop part. This is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench multicore pattern. The i7-860S has four physical cores and eight threads, while the i5-3210M has two cores and four threads, and the Geekbench multicore workload appears to scale more aggressively with raw core count.

The overall benchmark averages tell a similar story. The i5-3210M has an average benchmark score of 758, while the i7-860S sits at 740. That difference is small, roughly 2.4%, but it places the two chips in the same performance tier. Both sit at the 20th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they outperform only about one in five recorded processors.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The i5-3210M is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process, while the i7-860S uses Nehalem, specifically the Lynnfield variant, on a 45 nm process. The process node difference is substantial: 22 nm versus 45 nm means the newer chip has a significantly smaller transistor footprint.

The die sizes reflect this. The i5-3210M has a die size of 118 mm², while the i7-860S measures 296 mm². The i7-860S also carries 774 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the i5-3210M. The larger, older chip uses more silicon area and more transistors, yet delivers comparable or worse performance in most tests.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is quite different: the i5-3210M has 3 MB shared, while the i7-860S has 8 MB shared. The larger L3 cache on the older desktop part does not translate into a performance advantage in the measured benchmarks.

The integrated graphics situation is another clear differentiator. The i5-3210M includes Intel HD 4000 graphics, while the i7-860S has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the i5-3210M a self-contained mobile solution, whereas the i7-860S requires a discrete graphics card.

Memory support also differs. The i7-860S explicitly supports DDR3 memory, while the i5-3210M's memory support is not recorded in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The PCIe configuration is only recorded for the i7-860S, which has Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The market segments are opposite: the i5-3210M is a mobile processor on Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i7-860S is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1156. The i7-860S is listed as end-of-life, while the i5-3210M has no recorded production status. Release dates are roughly two years apart: the i5-3210M launched in May 2012, the i7-860S in January 2010.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-3210M is faster in every recorded single-core benchmark. In Geekbench single-core it leads by 38.1% (587 versus 425), and in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests it leads by 4.2% in each case.

Q: Does the i7-860S win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 1298 versus 1116 for the i5-3210M, a 14% advantage. This is the only test where it comes out ahead.

Q: How do the Cinebench multicore results compare?

A: The i5-3210M wins all three Cinebench multicore tests, but by narrow margins: 4% in R15 (210 versus 202), 4.1% in R20 (879 versus 844), and 4.2% in R23 (2095 versus 2010).

Q: What is the core count difference?

A: The i7-860S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-3210M has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite the i7-860S having twice the core count, it only wins one of seven benchmarks.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i5-3210M has integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 4000. The i7-860S has no integrated graphics and requires a separate graphics card.

Q: How do the overall averages compare?

A: The i5-3210M has an average benchmark score of 758, while the i7-860S averages 740. Both occupy the 20th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3210M | Intel Core i7-860S |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.53 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.47 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 82 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel Socket 1156 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Nehalem (Lynnfield) |

| Process node | 22 nm | 45 nm |

| Die size | 118 mm² | 296 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 774 million |

| L3 cache | 3 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory support | Not recorded | DDR3 |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 2, 16 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 4000 | None |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | Not recorded | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2012-05-31 | 2010-01-06 |

| Part number | SR0MZ | SLBLG |

The i7-860S has a higher boost clock by 0.37 GHz, but the i5-3210M wins on process technology, power efficiency, and integrated graphics. The TDP difference is stark: 35 W versus 82 W, nearly 2.4 times higher for the desktop part.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core i5-3210M is the better processor for most tasks despite having half the core count. It wins six of seven head-to-head comparisons, including all single-core tests and all Cinebench multicore tests. The 38.1% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin recorded between the two chips, and it reflects the architectural advantage of Ivy Bridge over Nehalem for single-threaded execution.

The i7-860S has one clear strength: Geekbench multicore, where its 4-core, 8-thread configuration delivers 14% more performance. This suggests that workloads which scale exceptionally well with core count may favor the older desktop chip. However, the Cinebench multicore results do not confirm this pattern, as the i5-3210M wins those tests by 4% to 4.2%.

The i5-3210M also has practical advantages. It includes integrated graphics, consumes 35 W versus 82 W, and uses a smaller, more modern 22 nm process. The i7-860S requires a discrete GPU and is marked end-of-life. For a user prioritizing single-threaded performance, power efficiency, or a self-contained mobile platform, the i5-3210M is the clear choice based on the recorded data.

For users whose workloads are dominated by highly parallel multi-threaded scaling, the i7-860S offers a specific advantage in Geekbench multicore. But that advantage does not extend to the Cinebench suite, where the i5-3210M consistently leads. The overall average score also favors the i5-3210M: 758 versus 740.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3210M wins in all single-core scenarios. The Geekbench single-core margin of 38.1% is decisive, and the Cinebench single-core margins, while smaller at 4.2%, still favor the mobile chip. This makes the i5-3210M the better option for lightly threaded applications, responsive daily use, and any workload where per-core performance matters more than raw core count.

The i5-3210M also wins the Cinebench multicore family, which covers R15, R20, and R23. These results are consistent across all three versions, with leads of 4%, 4.1%, and 4.2% respectively. This suggests that even in multi-threaded rendering tasks, the newer architecture's efficiency compensates for the lower core count.

The Intel Core i7-860S wins exclusively in Geekbench multicore, where its 4-core, 8-thread design produces a 14% advantage. This points to a narrow use case: workloads that are highly parallelized and specifically stress the memory and scheduling patterns that Geekbench multicore measures. For such tasks, the extra cores and threads of the i7-860S provide a real benefit.

In power-constrained or mobile scenarios, the i5-3210M is the only viable option of the two, as it is a mobile processor with a 35 W TDP and integrated graphics. The i7-860S, with its 82 W TDP and no integrated graphics, belongs in a desktop system with a discrete GPU.

For users comparing these two based on the database record, the i5-3210M offers broader strengths across more benchmark categories. The i7-860S is a niche pick for specific multi-threaded workloads that align with its Geekbench multicore performance. The data does not support choosing the i7-860S for general purpose use, given that it loses the majority of tests and sits at the same 20th percentile overall.