Intel Core i5-3360M vs Intel Core i7-3520M Comparison

These two 35-watt Ivy Bridge mobile processors are separated by a single model tier, yet benchmark results reveal a surprisingly fragmented performance picture. The Intel Core i7-3520M and Intel Core i5-3360M share the same core architecture, socket, and thermal envelope, but the data shows the i5-3360M edges ahead in Cinebench while the i7-3520M dominates in Geekbench. This makes a straightforward "which is faster" answer impossible; the outcome depends entirely on the workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Geekbench single-core test, where the i7-3520M scores 570 against the i5-3360M's 518. That is a 10 percent advantage, the largest delta in the entire benchmark set. The i7-3520M also wins Geekbench multi-core with 1156 versus 1110, a 4.1 percent lead. These are decisive margins and suggest the i7's higher boost clock translates into meaningful performance in this particular benchmark suite.

The Cinebench results tell a completely different story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3360M scores 246 while the i7-3520M trails at 244, a 0.8 percent deficit for the i7. The pattern repeats across every Cinebench iteration. In R20 multi-core, the i5-3360M leads with 1029 versus 1018, a 1.1 percent gap. The single-core R20 test shows 145 for the i5-3360M against 143 for the i7-3520M, a 1.4 percent difference. The R23 results continue the trend: multi-core 2451 for the i5-3360M versus 2426 for the i7-3520M (1 percent), and single-core 346 versus 342 (1.2 percent). The i5-3360M wins five of the seven head-to-head tests, but every victory is narrow, with the largest being just 1.4 percent.

The average benchmark score reinforces the overall picture. The i7-3520M averages 843 points across all tests, while the i5-3360M averages 835, an 8-point difference. This places the i7-3520M at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, one point above the i5-3360M's 22nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the i7-3520M include the AMD FX-8800P at 843 (0.1 percent delta) and the Intel Core i7-920 at 840 (0.3 percent delta). The i5-3360M sits near the Intel Xeon X3450 at 837 (negative 0.2 percent) and the Intel Core i5-5200U at 838 (negative 0.3 percent). These tight groupings show both processors are clustered in a narrow performance band.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on Intel's 22 nm process node using the Ivy Bridge architecture, and both are manufactured by Intel with a die size of 118 mm². They share the same Intel BGA 1023 socket, making them drop-in compatible in principle. The integrated graphics are identical: Intel HD 4000. Neither supports ECC memory, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both use dual-channel memory buses.

The core configuration is also identical on paper: 2 physical cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The critical difference is in L3 cache: the i7-3520M has 4 MB shared, while the i5-3360M has 3 MB shared. That 1 MB difference is the only cache disparity and likely explains some of the benchmark variance.

Clock speeds differ slightly. The i7-3520M has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i5-3360M runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The i7 therefore holds a 100 MHz advantage at both base and boost states. Both processors carry a 35-watt TDP, so the i7's higher clocks come at no additional thermal cost. The part numbers are SR0MU for the i7-3520M and SR0MW for the i5-3360M. Release dates are nearly simultaneous: the i5-3360M launched on 2012-05-31 and the i7-3520M on 2012-06-02.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3520M is the clear winner in Geekbench, which is often interpreted as a proxy for general system responsiveness and memory-sensitive workloads. The 10 percent single-core advantage is substantial and would be noticeable in everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light photo editing. The 4.1 percent multi-core lead reinforces this position for lightly threaded productivity software.

The i5-3360M wins in every Cinebench test, which stresses sustained multi-threaded rendering. The margins are small—under 1.5 percent in all cases—but they are consistent across R15, R20, and R23. This suggests the i5-3360M may have a slight edge in rendering tasks or other workloads that keep all cores busy for extended periods. The cause is not immediately obvious from the spec sheet, since the i7 has more cache and higher clocks, but the benchmark data is unambiguous.

For users who prioritize single-threaded performance, the i7-3520M is the better choice. The Geekbench single-core score of 570 versus 518 is the largest measurable difference between these two chips. For users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering, the i5-3360M appears marginally better, though the differences are within a range that could be considered noise. The average scores suggest the i7-3520M is the overall faster chip, but the Cinebench results complicate that narrative.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-3360M boosts to 3.50 GHz. The i7 also has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 2.80 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i7-3520M has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3360M has 3 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-3360M scores 2451, while the i7-3520M scores 2426. That gives the i5-3360M a 1 percent lead in this test.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark gap between the two?

A: The Geekbench single-core test shows the largest difference, with the i7-3520M scoring 570 versus 518 for the i5-3360M, a 10 percent advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both use Intel HD 4000. They also share the same Intel BGA 1023 socket and 35-watt TDP.

Q: How do these processors compare to their closest rivals?

A: The i7-3520M averages 843 points, matching the AMD FX-8800P exactly (0.1 percent delta) and edging out the Intel Core i7-920 at 840. The i5-3360M averages 835, sitting just below the Intel Xeon X3450 at 837 and the Intel Core i5-5200U at 838.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in exactly five specification fields. The base clock is 2.90 GHz for the i7-3520M and 2.80 GHz for the i5-3360M. The boost clock is 3.60 GHz for the i7-3520M and 3.50 GHz for the i5-3360M. The L3 cache is 4 MB shared for the i7-3520M and 3 MB shared for the i5-3360M. The generation label differs: "Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)" for the i7-3520M and "Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)" for the i5-3360M. Finally, the part number is SR0MU for the i7-3520M and SR0MW for the i5-3360M.

All other fields are identical. Both have 2 cores, 4 threads, 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, a 35-watt TDP, the Intel BGA 1023 socket, Ivy Bridge architecture, 22 nm process node, 118 mm² die size, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, no unlocked multiplier, and a mobile market segment. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed in the data.