Intel Core i5-3570 vs Intel Core i7-3630QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3630QM and Intel Core i5-3570 are both Ivy Bridge parts, but they target very different platforms. The i7-3630QM is a 45W mobile processor for laptops, while the i5-3570 is a 77W desktop chip. Despite their architectural kinship, the benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the mobile i7 wins nearly every Cinebench test, but the desktop i5 dominates Geekbench. This makes the comparison less about raw capability and more about workload and platform context.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite is where the i7-3630QM establishes a consistent, if modest, lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 439 against the i5's 421, a 4.3% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 61 for the i7 versus 59 for the i5, a 3.4% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 again wins multi-core with 1832 points compared to 1758 for the i5, a 4.2% difference. The single-core R20 result is 258 versus 248, a 4% win for the i7. The trend continues in Cinebench R23, where the i7 scores 4364 multi-core and 616 single-core, versus 4187 and 591 for the i5, respectively. Both of those are 4.2% wins for the mobile chip.

The story flips dramatically in Geekbench. Here, the i5-3570 takes a decisive victory. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5 scores 2251, while the i7-3630QM trails at 2111, a 6.2% deficit for the i7. The single-core gap is even wider: the i5 posts 770 points against 633 for the i7, which translates to a 17.8% lead for the desktop chip. Of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, the i7-3630QM wins six, but the two Geekbench losses are substantial enough to shape the overall picture. The i5's wins are heavier, while the i7's wins are narrower but more frequent.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22nm Ivy Bridge architecture, and both feature four physical cores. The critical architectural divergence is thread count: the i7-3630QM supports Hyper-Threading, giving it 8 threads, while the i5-3570 is a straight 4-core, 4-thread design. This explains the i7's consistent edge in multi-threaded Cinebench workloads, where additional threads can be utilized. The i5 compensates with higher clock speeds: its base clock is 3.40 GHz and boost clock is 3.80 GHz, versus 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost for the i7. That raw clock advantage is likely why the i5 wins single-core Geekbench by such a large margin.

Cache configurations are identical in structure: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Transistor counts differ slightly, with the i7 at 1,480 million and the i5 at 1,400 million, but both share the same 160 mm² die size. Memory support is also the same: DDR3, dual-channel, with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both lack ECC memory support and both have locked multipliers. The integrated graphics differ: the i7-3630QM includes Intel HD 4000, while the i5-3570 has the less capable Intel HD 2500. The i7 uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B) mobile platform, while the i5 uses the desktop Intel Socket 1155. Both are end-of-life products, with the i5 releasing earlier in 2012 and the i7 later that same year.

FAQ

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

A: The i7-3630QM wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests. It scores 439 in R15, 1832 in R20, and 4364 in R23, versus 421, 1758, and 4187 for the i5-3570. The margin is consistently around 4.2-4.3%.

Q: Why does the i5-3570 win Geekbench by such a large margin?

A: The i5-3570 has a significant clock speed advantage, with a 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, compared to 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost on the i7-3630QM. This leads to a 17.8% lead in single-core Geekbench and a 6.2% lead in multi-core Geekbench.

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of cache?

A: Yes, both have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The cache hierarchy is identical, though the i7 has a slightly higher transistor count at 1,480 million versus 1,400 million.

Q: Which processor is better for a desktop build?

A: The i5-3570 is the desktop part, using Intel Socket 1155. The i7-3630QM is a mobile processor using Intel Socket G2 (988B). If you are building a desktop, the i5-3570 is the appropriate choice based on platform alone.

Q: Is the i7-3630QM's integrated graphics better?

A: Yes, the i7-3630QM includes Intel HD 4000, while the i5-3570 has Intel HD 2500. The data does not include graphics benchmarks, but the model numbers indicate a difference in integrated graphics capability.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i7-3630QM has an average benchmark score of 1289, while the i5-3570 scores 1286. This puts the i7 just 0.3% ahead, which is effectively a tie in overall performance.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split. The i7-3630QM is the better choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its wins in all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. Its 8 threads provide a consistent 4% advantage in these scenarios. The i5-3570, however, is the superior choice for tasks that favor clock speed and single-thread performance, as shown by its massive 17.8% lead in Geekbench single-core. The i5's higher base and boost clocks make it more responsive in lightly-threaded applications.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1289 for the i7 versus 1286 for the i5, a 0.3% difference. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs. The decision comes down to workload. If you are running Cinebench-style multi-threaded renders, the i7-3630QM edges ahead. If you are using Geekbench-style tests that reward clock speed, the i5-3570 is the clear winner. Platform is the other deciding factor: the i7 is a mobile chip, while the i5 is a desktop chip, so your system form factor will likely dictate the choice.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3630QM | Intel Core i5-3570 |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 77 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Transistors | 1,480 million | 1,400 million |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2012-09-29 | 2012-05-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $378 | $194 |

| Part Number | SR0UX | SR0T7 |

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3630QM wins in multi-threaded Cinebench tests, taking all three multi-core benchmarks by roughly 4%. It also wins all three single-core Cinebench tests by 3.4% to 4.2%. This makes it the pick for applications that mirror Cinebench's rendering engine, where the extra threads from Hyper-Threading provide a measurable benefit. The i7's lower 45W TDP is also notable, making it a more power-efficient part despite being in a mobile platform.

The i5-3570 wins decisively in Geekbench, with a 6.2% multi-core and a 17.8% single-core advantage. This indicates it is the better choice for workloads that are latency-sensitive and scale with clock speed rather than thread count. The desktop chip's 3.80 GHz boost clock versus the i7's 3.40 GHz is the key differentiator. If your software is not heavily threaded, the i5-3570 will feel noticeably snappier. Its higher 77W TDP is the trade-off for that clock speed, but in a desktop chassis that is rarely a limiting factor.