Intel Core i5-3610ME vs Intel Core i7-3687U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the Intel Core i5-3610ME across every shared Cinebench test. In the five head-to-head comparisons recorded, the i5-3610ME wins all five, with margins ranging from 2.3% to 2.7%. These are not dramatic victories, but they are uniform across both multi-core and single-core workloads.

The largest gap appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i5-3610ME scores 230 against 224 for the i7-3687U, a 2.7% advantage. The single-core tests tell a similar story, with the i5-3610ME leading by 2.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core (323 versus 315) and by 2.3% in Cinebench R20 single-core (135 versus 132). Multi-core results follow the same pattern: Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 961 versus 937, a 2.6% delta, and Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 2289 versus 2231, also a 2.6% delta.

What stands out is the consistency of the i5-3610ME's lead. In every recorded test, the margin sits between 2.3% and 2.7%, suggesting a stable performance advantage that does not scale up or down with workload type. The i7-3687U does appear in additional Geekbench tests that the i5-3610ME does not have records for, scoring 1044 multi-core and 526 single-core. However, without matching i5-3610ME results in those tests, they cannot be used for a direct comparison.

Looking at the broader database context, the i5-3610ME holds a 21st percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 788. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4210U at an identical 788 (0% delta), the AMD Opteron 3350 HE at 789 (-0.2%), and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 at 789 (-0.2%). The i7-3687U also sits at the 21st percentile, but with a lower average score of 773. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-680 at 772 (0.2% delta), the Intel Core i3-3250T at 775 (-0.2%), and the Intel Celeron G5920 at 775 (-0.2%).

The practical takeaway is that the i5-3610ME is the faster chip in direct comparison, but the difference is small enough that most real-world applications would not show a noticeable change. The i7-3687U, despite carrying the higher Core i7 branding, simply does not outperform the i5-3610ME in any shared benchmark.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture, using the same 22 nm process node and the same Intel foundry. Both have identical die sizes of 118 mm². They share the same 2-core, 4-thread configuration, and both integrate Intel HD 4000 graphics. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core architectural difference lies in cache allocation. The i5-3610ME has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-3687U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. That extra 1 MB on the i7-3687U does not translate into a performance win in the benchmark data, likely because the i5-3610ME compensates with a higher base clock.

Clock speeds are where the two diverge more clearly. The i5-3610ME has a base clock of 2.70 GHz, while the i7-3687U runs at 2.10 GHz. Both boost to 3.30 GHz, so the i5-3610ME starts from a 0.60 GHz higher baseline. This base clock advantage likely explains the consistent single-core and multi-core wins, despite the i7-3687U's larger L3 cache.

The thermal design envelope is a major differentiator. The i5-3610ME is rated at 35 W TDP, while the i7-3687U is rated at just 17 W. That is a significant power efficiency gap, with the i7-3687U drawing less than half the thermal budget of the i5-3610ME. For mobile systems, this matters greatly for battery life, chassis cooling, and fan noise.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-3687U officially lists DDR3 support, while the i5-3610ME entry does not specify memory support in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The socket is another point of separation: the i5-3610ME uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a socketed design, while the i7-3687U is soldered onto Intel BGA 1023. This means the i5-3610ME could theoretically be replaced in a compatible system, while the i7-3687U is effectively permanent once installed.

Release timing is also different. The i5-3610ME launched on 2012-05-31, while the i7-3687U arrived later on 2013-01-07. The part numbers differ (SR0QJ for the i5, SR0XH for the i7), and the generation labels are "Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)" and "Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)" respectively.

FAQ

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

A: The i5-3610ME wins every shared multi-core test. It scores 230 versus 224 in Cinebench R15, 961 versus 937 in Cinebench R20, and 2289 versus 2231 in Cinebench R23. The deltas range from 2.6% to 2.7%.

Q: Does the i7-3687U have any performance advantage at all?

A: In the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, no. The i7-3687U loses all five shared tests. It does have Geekbench scores in the database (1044 multi-core, 526 single-core), but there are no matching i5-3610ME Geekbench results for comparison.

Q: Why does the i7-3687U have a higher average score percentile?

A: It does not. Both CPUs sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs. However, the i5-3610ME has a higher average benchmark score of 788, compared to 773 for the i7-3687U.

Q: What is the main reason the i5-3610ME performs better?

A: The i5-3610ME has a base clock of 2.70 GHz, which is 0.60 GHz higher than the i7-3687U's 2.10 GHz. Both boost to 3.30 GHz. The i7-3687U has 1 MB more L3 cache (4 MB versus 3 MB), but that does not overcome the base clock deficit in the recorded benchmarks.

Q: How do the power requirements compare?

A: The i5-3610ME has a 35 W TDP, while the i7-3687U has a 17 W TDP. The i7-3687U uses less than half the thermal envelope of the i5-3610ME, making it the more power-efficient option.

Q: Can these processors be swapped in the same system?

A: The sockets are different. The i5-3610ME uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i7-3687U uses Intel BGA 1023, which is a soldered design. They are not interchangeable.

Specification Differences

The two chips share many specifications: both are Intel Ivy Bridge parts on a 22 nm process, both have 2 cores and 4 threads, both have a 3.30 GHz boost clock, both use dual-channel memory, both feature Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, and both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with identical 118 mm² die sizes.

The differences are as follows:

• Base Clock: 2.70 GHz on the i5-3610ME, 2.10 GHz on the i7-3687U
• TDP: 35 W on the i5-3610ME, 17 W on the i7-3687U
• Socket: Intel Socket G2 (988B) on the i5-3610ME, Intel BGA 1023 on the i7-3687U
• L3 Cache: 3 MB shared on the i5-3610ME, 4 MB shared on the i7-3687U
• Memory Support: The i7-3687U lists DDR3 support; the i5-3610ME entry has no memory support specified
• Release Date: 2012-05-31 for the i5-3610ME, 2013-01-07 for the i7-3687U
• Part Number: SR0QJ for the i5-3610ME, SR0XH for the i7-3687U
• Generation Label: "Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)" for the i5-3610ME, "Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)" for the i7-3687U
• Average Benchmark Score: 788 for the i5-3610ME, 773 for the i7-3687U

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3610ME outperforms the Intel Core i7-3687U in every shared benchmark, with margins between 2.3% and 2.7%. The i5-3610ME wins all five head-to-head tests, and it holds a higher average benchmark score (788 versus 773). Anyone selecting purely on performance should choose the i5-3610ME.

The i7-3687U, despite its Core i7 branding, does not deliver a performance advantage in this comparison. Its only notable specification wins are a larger L3 cache (4 MB versus 3 MB) and a dramatically lower TDP (17 W versus 35 W). For workloads that depend on sustained multi-core throughput, the i5-3610ME's higher base clock of 2.70 GHz proves decisive.

The choice between these two comes down to priorities. The i5-3610ME is the better performer across the board, but it consumes more than twice the thermal budget. The i7-3687U is the efficiency pick, and its 4 MB L3 cache may help in cache-sensitive scenarios, though the benchmark data does not show that benefit materializing.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-3610ME: This chip wins in raw performance. It takes all five shared Cinebench tests, with its largest margin being 2.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. It also holds the higher average benchmark score in the database at 788. If the system has adequate cooling and power delivery, the i5-3610ME is the faster choice. The socketed design (Intel Socket G2) may also appeal to users who value serviceability.

Intel Core i7-3687U: This chip wins in efficiency, not performance. Its 17 W TDP makes it suitable for thinner, lighter laptops with smaller batteries and less aggressive cooling. The 4 MB L3 cache is a spec-sheet advantage that could theoretically help in certain workloads, but the recorded data does not show it producing a win in any shared benchmark. The soldered BGA 1023 package is a drawback for repairability, but for an ultra-low-power mobile build, the i7-3687U's thermal envelope is its primary selling point.