Intel Core i5-3230M vs Intel Core i7-3687U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data is unusually one-sided. Across all seven benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core i7-3687U wins every single test. This is not a marginal pattern either; the margins are consistent enough to suggest a deliberate positioning by Intel rather than measurement noise.

The largest margin comes in Geekbench single-core, where the i7-3687U scores 526 against the i5-3230M's 505, a 4.2% advantage. This is notable because the i5-3230M actually starts from a higher base clock. Yet the i7-3687U's boost behavior appears to overcome that deficit, and the resulting single-threaded performance advantage carries over into every other test.

Multi-core results follow the same trajectory. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3687U posts 224 versus 220, a 1.8% lead. The Cinebench R20 multicore test widens that slightly to 2.2% (937 versus 917). Cinebench R23 multicore shows 2231 against 2184, again a 2.2% gap. The single-core Cinebench results are tighter in absolute terms but proportionally larger: R20 single-core is 132 versus 129 (2.3%), and R23 single-core is 315 versus 308 (2.3%).

Geekbench multicore shows the second-largest delta at 2.6%, with 1044 for the i7-3687U against 1018 for the i5-3230M. Across all seven benchmarks, the i7-3687U wins with deltas ranging from 1.8% to 4.2%. There is no test in the database where the i5-3230M pulls ahead, even by a fraction.

The average benchmark scores reflect this hierarchy. The i7-3687U averages 773 across its recorded tests, while the i5-3230M averages 754. That 19-point gap places the i7-3687U at the 21st percentile of all CPUs in the database, against the 20th percentile for the i5-3230M. Neither chip is anywhere near the top of the overall rankings, but within this pairing the i7-3687U is consistently the stronger part.

When compared with the broader field, both processors sit in similar company. The i7-3687U's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-680 with an average score of 772, a 0.2% difference. It also sits near the Core i3-3250T and Celeron G5920, both at 775, and the Pentium Silver J5005 at 776. The i5-3230M's nearest rival is the Xeon X5460 at 754 with a 0% delta, followed by the Core i5-4250U at 756, the Xeon E5450 at 756, and the Core i3-5020U at 757. These surrounding parts confirm that both chips occupy the same performance tier, but the i7-3687U sits slightly higher within that tier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3687U wins every multi-core test in the database. It leads by 1.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 2.2% in Cinebench R20 multicore, 2.2% in Cinebench R23 multicore, and 2.6% in Geekbench multicore.

Q: Is the single-core performance difference larger than the multi-core difference?

A: Yes. The single-core deltas are 2.3% in Cinebench R20, 2.3% in Cinebench R23, and 4.2% in Geekbench. The multi-core deltas range from 1.8% to 2.6%. The largest single-core gap, 4.2% in Geekbench, exceeds every multi-core margin.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The i7-3687U is effectively tied with the Core i5-680, which averages 772 against its 773, a 0.2% delta. The i5-3230M is exactly tied with the Xeon X5460 at 754 with a 0% delta. Both chips also sit near several other low-power and older desktop parts.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory and use a dual-channel memory bus. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has the higher base clock?

A: The i5-3230M has a higher base clock at 2.60 GHz, while the i7-3687U runs at 2.10 GHz. Despite this, the i7-3687U wins all benchmark tests.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The i7-3687U has a TDP of 17 watts, while the i5-3230M has a TDP of 35 watts. The i7-3687U achieves better benchmark scores while drawing less thermal headroom according to the specifications.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Ivy Bridge architecture, using the same 22 nm process node from Intel. Both have a die size of 118 mm² and share the same codename: Ivy Bridge. The integrated graphics are also identical, with both featuring Intel HD 4000.

The core and thread counts match as well. Each CPU has 2 physical cores and 4 threads through Hyper-Threading. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core on both, and the L2 cache is 256 KB per core on both.

The most significant architectural difference lies in the L3 cache. The i7-3687U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3230M has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. That extra 1 MB of cache is the clearest on-paper architectural advantage for the i7-3687U, and it likely explains part of the consistent benchmark edge despite the i5-3230M's higher base clock.

Another difference is the socket. The i7-3687U uses Intel BGA 1023, which is a soldered, low-profile mobile socket. The i5-3230M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a socketed mobile package. This affects upgradeability and cooling options, though the database does not record performance differences directly attributable to socket choice.

The generation labels differ as well. The i7-3687U belongs to the Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) generation, and the i5-3230M belongs to the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation. Both are listed as mobile market segment parts and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Neither CPU has a recorded foundry difference, as both are manufactured by Intel. Neither lists PCIe information, transistor counts, or total L3 cache figures in the database. The release dates are close, with the i7-3687U dated 2013-01-07 and the i5-3230M dated 2012-12-31.

Specification Differences

The specification table highlights where the two chips diverge. The base clock differs: the i7-3687U runs at 2.10 GHz, while the i5-3230M runs at 2.60 GHz. The boost clock reverses the order: the i7-3687U boosts to 3.30 GHz, and the i5-3230M boosts to 3.20 GHz. This means the i7-3687U has a wider boost range and a higher maximum clock.

TDP is a major separator. The i7-3687U is rated at 17 watts, while the i5-3230M is rated at 35 watts. That is more than double the thermal envelope for the i5-3230M, yet it still loses every benchmark. The i7-3687U delivers superior recorded performance at a fraction of the thermal budget.

The socket differs as noted: BGA 1023 for the i7-3687U, Socket G2 (988B) for the i5-3230M. The L3 cache differs at 4 MB versus 3 MB. The part numbers also differ, with the i7-3687U carrying the SR0XH identifier and the i5-3230M carrying SR0WY.

Memory support is identical: both use DDR3 with a dual-channel bus. ECC support is absent on both. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. Integrated graphics are the same Intel HD 4000. Both are mobile-segment parts with matching 22 nm process nodes and 118 mm² die sizes.

The release dates are nearly simultaneous, with the i5-3230M dated December 31, 2012, and the i7-3687U dated January 7, 2013. Neither CPU has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3687U wins in every measured category. In single-threaded responsiveness, it leads with a 4.2% Geekbench single-core margin and 2.3% margins in both Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests. These advantages matter for legacy applications that rely on one or two threads, where the higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz gives it an edge.

In multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3687U also leads, though the margins are slightly smaller. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 1.8% lead, R20 multicore shows 2.2%, R23 multicore shows 2.2%, and Geekbench multicore shows 2.6%. The extra 1 MB of L3 cache likely helps sustain performance across both cores.

The i5-3230M has no benchmark win in the recorded data. Its advantages are purely on paper: a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz and a 35-watt TDP that suggests more headroom for sustained operation. However, the recorded benchmarks do not show any workload where that translates into a win.

For use cases, the i7-3687U is the better choice for any task where the database records performance. Its lower TDP also makes it suitable for thinner, lighter mobile designs where heat dissipation is limited. The i5-3230M's socketed package might appeal in scenarios where serviceability is a priority, but the performance data does not support choosing it on speed grounds.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3687U outperforms the Intel Core i5-3230M in every benchmark test recorded in the database. The margins range from 1.8% to 4.2%, with the largest advantage in single-core Geekbench performance. The i7-3687U achieves this while drawing a 17-watt TDP, less than half the 35-watt TDP of the i5-3230M.

Users should pick the i7-3687U if they prioritize measured performance, lower power consumption, or both. It offers a higher boost clock, more L3 cache, and a consistent edge across Cinebench and Geekbench workloads. The 21st percentile ranking versus the i5-3230M's 20th percentile is a small gap, but the head-to-head data shows the i7-3687U winning every direct comparison.

The i5-3230M remains a viable part for systems that require a socketed mobile processor on Socket G2 (988B), since the i7-3687U is soldered to BGA 1023. It also has a higher base clock, which may matter in thermally constrained scenarios where boost clocks cannot be sustained. But within the recorded benchmarks, there is no test where the i5-3230M comes out ahead.

For anyone choosing between these two on performance alone, the answer is the i7-3687U. The data shows no reason to prefer the i5-3230M unless the system's physical socket requirement dictates otherwise.