Intel Core i5-3610ME vs Intel Core i5-4210U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-4210U and the Intel Core i5-3610ME sit at nearly identical average benchmark scores, 788 for both, with a delta of 0.1 percent in the database. That near parity in aggregate hides a consistent edge in the direct comparisons, however. Across every recorded head-to-head test, the i5-3610ME takes the win. The margin is remarkably uniform, roughly 14 percent in each workload, which points to a structural advantage rather than a test-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3610ME scores 230 against the i5-4210U's 197, a difference of 14.3 percent. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i5-3610ME posts 961 versus 824, again 14.3 percent ahead. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the i5-3610ME at 2289 and the i5-4210U at 1962, maintaining the 14.3 percent gap. These are rendering workloads that scale with sustained multicore throughput, so the consistency suggests the older chip sustains its advantage across different render engines.

Single-core results follow the same trend. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3610ME records 135, while the i5-4210U records 116, a 14.1 percent lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-3610ME reaches 323 versus 277, a 14.2 percent gap. The single-core deltas are slightly smaller than the multicore ones, but only by a tenth of a point, so the advantage is essentially uniform across both single-threaded and fully threaded loads.

The broader benchmark database confirms this is not a one-off result. The i5-4210U has additional Geekbench scores not present for the i5-3610ME, with 1395 multicore and 745 single-core, but those tests have no direct counterpart in the head-to-head set. The recorded head-to-head suite is entirely Cinebench based, and in every one of those five tests, the i5-3610ME wins. The win tally is 5 to 0 in favor of the i5-3610ME.

What is notable is the tightness of the margins. All five deltas fall between 14.1 percent and 14.3 percent. That kind of repeatability is rare in CPU comparisons, where different workloads usually expose different strengths. Here, the i5-3610ME leads by nearly the same fraction in rendering tasks that stress cores, caches, and memory differently. The data indicates a consistent performance ceiling advantage for the i5-3610ME, not a workload-specific edge.

Both processors sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are essentially peers in the overall distribution. The average benchmark score for each is 788, and their nearest rivals are identical: the AMD Opteron 3350 HE at 789, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 at 789, and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 at 790. The i5-4210U and the i5-3610ME are effectively indistinguishable in aggregate, yet the direct comparisons show a clear winner in the i5-3610ME. This is a case where the summary statistic masks a real, if modest, performance gap.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-3610ME wins every benchmark in the comparison set, so the use-case split is heavily one-sided. In rendering workloads, which is what the Cinebench suite represents, the i5-3610ME is the stronger part. Multicore rendering, as measured by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, all favor the i5-3610ME by roughly 14.3 percent. That makes it the better choice for tasks that can use all four threads, such as 3D scene rendering, video encoding pipelines that scale across cores, and batch image processing.

Single-threaded performance also favors the i5-3610ME. Cinebench R20 single-core and R23 single-core both show the i5-3610ME ahead by about 14 percent. This matters for applications where the workload is dominated by one thread, such as older software, certain scripting workloads, or user interface responsiveness in heavy applications. The i5-3610ME holds a consistent lead in both single-core and multicore scenarios, so there is no workload category in this benchmark set where the i5-4210U comes out ahead.

The i5-4210U does have recorded Geekbench scores, 1395 multicore and 745 single-core, but the i5-3610ME has no Geekbench entry in the database, so no direct comparison can be made there. Within the available data, the i5-4210U's only claim to relevance is its lower power envelope, which is not a benchmark win but a system-level trait. The 15 watt TDP makes it suitable for thinner, lighter notebooks where heat and battery life matter more than peak throughput. The i5-3610ME, at 35 watts, targets bulkier mobile workstations or embedded systems where cooling is less constrained.

For a user prioritizing raw compute, the i5-3610ME is the clear choice. For a user prioritizing power efficiency, the i5-4210U has the advantage, but that advantage does not show up in the benchmark scores, it shows up in thermal and battery characteristics. The database records no power or efficiency benchmarks, so the efficiency edge is qualitative, inferred from the TDP figures. In pure performance terms, the i5-3610ME wins every recorded test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different microarchitectures. The i5-4210U is built on Haswell, while the i5-3610ME is built on Ivy Bridge. Both are manufactured on Intel's 22 nanometer process, and both have the same 118 square millimeter die size. The i5-4210U lists 1,400 million transistors, while the i5-3610ME has no transistor count recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts are identical: 2 cores and 4 threads each. The cache hierarchy is also the same on paper. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the performance gap between them cannot be attributed to core count, thread count, or cache capacity. The difference must come from clock speeds, memory interface, and generation-specific IPC improvements.

Clock speeds are a major differentiator. The i5-4210U has a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 2700 MHz. The i5-3610ME has a base clock of 2700 MHz and a boost clock of 3300 MHz. The i5-3610ME runs a full 1000 MHz higher at base and 600 MHz higher at boost. That higher clock envelope explains most of the 14 percent performance advantage, since the architectures are close enough in IPC that raw frequency dominates.

The power envelopes are very different. The i5-4210U is rated at 15 watts TDP, while the i5-3610ME is rated at 35 watts. That 20 watt difference is the trade-off for the frequency advantage. The i5-4210U is clearly engineered for power-constrained mobile designs, while the i5-3610ME is built for performance within a larger thermal budget.

Sockets also differ. The i5-4210U uses Intel BGA 1168, a soldered package for ultraportables. The i5-3610ME uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a socketed mobile package. This affects serviceability and upgrade paths: the i5-3610ME can be replaced in a compatible board, while the i5-4210U is permanently attached.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4210U carries Intel HD 4400, while the i5-3610ME carries Intel HD 4000. The database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part, so the performance impact is not quantified here. Memory support also differs in the records: the i5-4210U lists DDR3 support, while the i5-3610ME lists a dual-channel memory bus instead of a memory type.

Release timing separates the two as well. The i5-4210U was released in April 2014, while the i5-3610ME was released in May 2012. Despite being nearly two years newer, the i5-4210U is the slower part in all recorded benchmarks, a direct consequence of its low-power design goals.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in the recorded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-3610ME wins all five head-to-head tests. It leads by 14.3 percent in Cinebench R15 multicore, Cinebench R20 multicore, and Cinebench R23 multicore, and by 14.1 to 14.2 percent in the single-core tests.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache layouts: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3.

Q: Why is the i5-3610ME faster if it is from an older generation?

A: The i5-3610ME runs at a 2700 MHz base clock and 3300 MHz boost clock, compared to 1700 MHz base and 2700 MHz boost for the i5-4210U. The higher clocks outweigh the newer Haswell architecture of the i5-4210U.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the i5-4210U wins?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head set, the i5-3610ME wins every test. The i5-4210U has Geekbench scores in the database, but the i5-3610ME has no Geekbench results, so no direct comparison exists there.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i5-4210U is rated at 15 watts TDP, while the i5-3610ME is rated at 35 watts TDP. The i5-4210U consumes significantly less power, which is its main advantage.

Q: Do the two processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-4210U uses Intel BGA 1168, a soldered package, while the i5-3610ME uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a socketed package.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. Clock speeds are the most significant: the i5-4210U has a 1700 MHz base clock and 2700 MHz boost clock, while the i5-3610ME has a 2700 MHz base clock and 3300 MHz boost clock. The i5-3610ME is higher in both.

TDP differs substantially: the i5-4210U is rated at 15 watts, the i5-3610ME at 35 watts. Socket types differ: Intel BGA 1168 for the i5-4210U, Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i5-3610ME. Architecture and codename differ: Haswell for the i5-4210U, Ivy Bridge for the i5-3610ME. Release dates differ: April 2014 for the i5-4210U, May 2012 for the i5-3610ME.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4400 for the i5-4210U, Intel HD 4000 for the i5-3610ME. Memory support entries differ: the i5-4210U lists DDR3, while the i5-3610ME lists a dual-channel memory bus. Transistor count is recorded for the i5-4210U at 1,400 million, but no transistor count is listed for the i5-3610ME. Part numbers differ: SR1EF for the i5-4210U, SR0QJ for the i5-3610ME.

The two share several specifications as well. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads. Both use a 22 nanometer process. Both have a 118 square millimeter die size. Both have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. Both are mobile segment parts, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. Both sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, and both have an average benchmark score of 788. The i5-4210U has a slight edge in the aggregate comparison against the i5-3610ME, with a delta of 0.1 percent, while the reverse comparison shows a delta of 0 percent, but that is a rounding artifact of the near-identical average scores.