Intel Core i5-3550S vs Intel Core i7-3612QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results present a surprisingly consistent picture across the Cinebench suite, but a very different story in Geekbench. The Intel Core i7-3612QM takes six of the eight direct benchmark comparisons, yet the Intel Core i5-3550S claims the two most dramatic victories.

Starting with multi-core performance, the i7-3612QM leads in every Cinebench iteration. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 397 against 383 for the i5, a 3.7% advantage. That margin holds steady in Cinebench R20, where the i7 posts 1656 versus 1599, a 3.6% gap. Cinebench R23 shows the same 3.6% edge, with the i7 at 3944 and the i5 at 3808. The consistency of these deltas across three different Cinebench versions suggests a stable architectural advantage in threaded workloads rather than a test-specific anomaly.

Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, though with smaller margins. The i7-3612QM scores 55 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 54 for the i5-3550S, a 1.9% lead. In Cinebench R20, the i7 scores 233 against 225, a 3.6% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the i7 at 556 and the i5 at 537, a 3.5% lead. Interestingly, the single-core delta in the newer tests matches the multi-core delta almost exactly, indicating that the i7's advantage is not purely about thread count.

Geekbench flips the script. The i5-3550S wins Geekbench multi-core with 1716 against 1691 for the i7, a 1.5% gap. This is notable because the i7 has eight threads versus four for the i5, yet the i5 still manages to outscore it in this particular test. The Geekbench single-core result is far more decisive: the i5 scores 623 while the i7 manages only 501, a 19.6% difference. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and suggests a significant clock-frequency advantage in lightly threaded scenarios.

The overall benchmark averages reflect this split. The i7-3612QM carries an average benchmark score of 1129, while the i5-3550S sits at 1118, a difference of roughly 1%. Both CPUs occupy similar territory in the broader database: the i7 sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the i5 is at the 31st percentile. The i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2720QM and Intel Core i5-3330S, both at 1128 with a 0.1% delta, as well as the Intel Core i5-4690T at 1129 with a 0% delta. The i5-3550S, meanwhile, sits near the Intel Core i3-4150 at 1119 with a -0.1% delta and the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 at 1116 with a 0.2% delta.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced choice. The Intel Core i7-3612QM is the clear winner in Cinebench across the board, taking all six Cinebench comparisons by margins between 1.9% and 3.7%. Its eight threads give it a measurable edge in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, and the consistency of that edge across R15, R20, and R23 indicates it is not a fluke.

However, the Intel Core i5-3550S demonstrates a decisive advantage in Geekbench single-core performance, beating the i7 by 19.6%. For applications that rely heavily on single-threaded execution, this is a substantial difference. The i5 also edges out the i7 in Geekbench multi-core by 1.5%, which is curious given its four-thread disadvantage.

Looking at the percentile rankings, the i7 sits at the 32nd percentile and the i5 at the 31st, meaning both are essentially in the same tier of overall performance. The average benchmark scores reinforce this: 1129 for the i7 versus 1118 for the i5, a gap of less than 1%.

The i7-3612QM is the safer choice for mixed workloads that include any significant multi-threaded rendering, as it wins every Cinebench test. The i5-3550S is the better pick if single-threaded responsiveness is the priority, given its overwhelming 19.6% Geekbench single-core win. The fact that the i5 achieves this despite lower thread count and a higher 65W TDP versus 35W for the i7 suggests clock speed is the determining factor in those tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM wins six of the eight head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-3550S wins two.

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

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-3550S scores 623 against 501 for the i7-3612QM, a 19.6% difference.

Q: Does the i7's thread advantage show up in all tests?

A: No. The i7 wins all Cinebench tests by 1.9% to 3.7%, but the i5 wins Geekbench multi-core by 1.5% despite having only four threads versus eight for the i7.

Q: How do the two compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The i7-3612QM has an average benchmark score of 1129, while the i5-3550S has 1118, a difference of about 1%.

Q: Are there any tests where the i5 is significantly ahead?

A: Yes, in Geekbench single-core the i5-3550S leads by 19.6%. It also leads in Geekbench multi-core by 1.5%.

Q: Which CPU has a higher percentile ranking?

A: The i7-3612QM sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-3550S sits at the 31st percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specification areas. The Intel Core i7-3612QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3550S has 4 cores and 4 threads. This is the most consequential difference, as it gives the i7 twice the thread count for parallel workloads.

The base clock speeds differ substantially. The i7-3612QM runs at 2.10 GHz base, while the i5-3550S runs at 3.00 GHz base. Boost clocks also differ, with the i7 reaching 3.10 GHz and the i5 reaching 3.70 GHz. The i5's higher clocks at both ends explain its Geekbench single-core dominance.

Thermal design power is another key differentiator. The i7-3612QM is rated at 35W, while the i5-3550S is rated at 65W. This makes the i7 significantly more power-efficient, which aligns with its mobile market segment.

The sockets are different: the i7 uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1155. This means they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i7-3612QM includes Intel HD 4000, while the i5-3550S includes Intel HD 2500. The memory support field is populated for the i5 as DDR3, while it is null for the i7. The i5 also lists PCIe as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a field that is null for the i7.

The market segments are distinct: the i7 is a Mobile processor, while the i5 is a Desktop processor. Both share the same release date of 2012-04-28.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Ivy Bridge architecture and use the same 22 nm process node from Intel. They share the same transistor count of 1,400 million and the same die size of 160 mm². The codename for both is Ivy Bridge, and both belong to the Ivy Bridge generation.

Cache configurations are identical. Each core gets 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. There is no v-cache or total L3 field difference.

The memory bus is dual-channel for both, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, meaning overclocking is not an intended feature for either part.

The key architectural difference lies in thread support. The i7-3612QM supports Hyper-Threading, effectively doubling its threads to 8, while the i5-3550S does not, remaining at 4 threads. This is the only meaningful architectural distinction, since the core count, cache hierarchy, and process node are otherwise identical.

The integrated graphics differ, with the i7 featuring HD 4000 and the i5 featuring HD 2500. While both are based on the same Ivy Bridge GPU architecture, the HD 4000 offers more execution units, which could matter for GPU-accelerated tasks.

The part numbers also differ: the i7 is SR0MQ and the i5 is SR0P3.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3612QM wins in all Cinebench scenarios. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it leads by 3.7%; in R20 multi-core and R23 multi-core, it leads by 3.6% in both. Single-core Cinebench tests also favor the i7, with margins of 1.9% in R15, 3.6% in R20, and 3.5% in R23. This makes the i7 the clear choice for rendering workloads, video encoding, or any application that scales with thread count. The consistent 3.6% multi-core advantage across three Cinebench versions suggests that the i7's eight threads provide a stable, repeatable benefit in these workloads.

The Intel Core i5-3550S wins in Geekbench. Its 19.6% lead in single-core is the standout result, indicating a major advantage in lightly threaded tasks such as web browsing, office productivity, or older games that rely on one or two cores. The i5 also wins Geekbench multi-core by 1.5%, which is unexpected given its four-thread limitation. This suggests that Geekbench's multi-core test may not scale perfectly with thread count, or that the i5's higher base and boost clocks compensate for its lack of Hyper-Threading.

For users prioritizing Cinebench-style workloads, the i7-3612QM is the obvious choice. For users who value Geekbench single-core performance, the i5-3550S offers a substantial advantage. The i7's 35W TDP also makes it more suitable for compact or mobile systems, while the i5's 65W TDP is typical for desktop parts. The i7's mobile socket and lower power draw suggest it was designed for laptops, while the i5's desktop socket and higher clocks suggest it was built for stationary systems where power is less constrained.