Intel Core i5-4670 vs Intel Core i7-3820QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clean sweep: the Intel Core i7-3820QM wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i5-4670. The margins are consistent, though modest, ranging from a 1.5% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core to a 2.9% edge in Cinebench R20 single-core.

In multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3820QM's lead is steady across all three Cinebench versions. The R15 multicore test shows 481 versus 469, a 2.6% gap. R20 multicore repeats the pattern with 2006 against 1957, a 2.5% difference. R23 multicore follows suit at 4777 versus 4660, again 2.5%. The consistency here is notable: regardless of the workload generation, the i7-3820QM maintains roughly the same proportional advantage in multi-core rendering.

Single-thread performance tells a similar story, but with slightly more variance. The R15 single-core test gives the i7-3820QM a 1.5% win (67 versus 66), while R20 single-core shows the largest margin of any test at 2.9% (283 versus 275). R23 single-core lands at 2.6% (674 versus 657). The trend suggests that as the benchmark becomes more demanding, the i7-3820QM's per-thread advantage grows slightly.

The i5-4670's average benchmark score across the database is 1347, while the i7-3820QM averages 1366. This places the two processors in the same percentile bracket, both at the 36th percentile of all CPUs tracked. The nearest rivals for the i7-3820QM include the Intel Xeon D-1521 at 1367 (a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 at 1368 (0.2% ahead). For the i5-4670, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-7400T at 1348 (0.1% higher) and the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 at 1357 (0.7% higher). These proximity figures underscore how tightly grouped this performance tier is.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3820QM wins in every measured category, but the nature of its victories points to specific strengths. The multi-core results (2.5% to 2.6% across R15, R20, and R23) align with its thread count advantage: 8 threads versus the i5-4670's 4 threads. The data indicates that rendering workloads, which scale with thread availability, consistently favor the i7-3820QM.

The single-core results are more instructive. With only a 1.5% to 2.9% lead, the i7-3820QM does not dominate single-threaded tasks the way it does multi-threaded ones. The i5-4670's higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 2.70 GHz) and boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz) partially compensate for the i7's architectural advantages. In lightly threaded applications, the i5-4670 remains competitive, trailing by only a few percentage points.

The i5-4670 has no recorded wins, but its profile suggests it is not a weak processor. Its average score of 1347 places it within 1.4% of the i7-3820QM's 1366 average. In the database's percentile ranking, both sit at the 36th percentile, meaning they outperform roughly a third of all tracked CPUs. The i5-4670's nearest rivals include the i5-7400T, which is 0.1% ahead, and the i5-4590T, which is 0.5% behind. This clustering indicates that the i5-4670 holds its own against comparable desktop parts.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, the i7-3820QM is the clear choice. For those whose workloads are primarily single-threaded, the i5-4670's deficit is small enough to be negligible in practice. The data does not show a scenario where the i5-4670 outperforms the i7-3820QM, but it does reveal a narrower gap in single-threaded tasks.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Core i7-3820QM as the stronger processor overall. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with advantages ranging from 1.5% to 2.9%. Its 8 threads give it a measurable edge in multi-core rendering, while its single-core scores remain slightly ahead despite the i5-4670's higher clock speeds.

However, the i5-4670 is not far behind. Its average score of 1347 trails the i7-3820QM's 1366 by only 1.4%. The two CPUs occupy the same percentile bracket (36th), and their nearest rivals overlap in performance. This is not a matchup between a dominant processor and a weak one; it is a close contest where the i7-3820QM edges ahead in every measured test.

The choice depends on workload. The i7-3820QM suits multi-threaded tasks: rendering, encoding, compilation, or any parallel workload that benefits from 8 threads. The i5-4670, despite its losses, offers competitive single-thread performance and a higher base clock, which can matter in latency-sensitive applications. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiating factor.

The production status of both processors is not recorded in the database, but their release dates are: the i7-3820QM launched on 2012-04-28, and the i5-4670 on 2013-06-01. The i7-3820QM is a mobile part (Intel BGA 1224 socket), while the i5-4670 is a desktop chip (Intel Socket 1150). This distinction matters for system integration: the i7-3820QM cannot be dropped into a desktop motherboard, and the i5-4670 cannot power a laptop.

For a mobile workstation user, the i7-3820QM delivers the higher multi-core scores with a 45 W TDP. For a desktop builder, the i5-4670 offers a lower average score but a more conventional platform. The data does not declare an outright winner for every use case, but in raw benchmark terms, the i7-3820QM holds the lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820QM averages 1366, while the Intel Core i5-4670 averages 1347.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7-3820QM scores 4777 versus the i5-4670's 4660, a 2.5% difference. R15 multicore shows 481 versus 469, also 2.6% apart.

Q: Does the i5-4670 win any benchmark?

A: No. The i7-3820QM wins all six head-to-head tests, with the i5-4670 recording zero wins.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The i7-3820QM leads by 1.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (67 versus 66), 2.9% in R20 (283 versus 275), and 2.6% in R23 (674 versus 657).

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i7-3820QM's closest rival is the Intel Xeon D-1521 at 1367 average score, just 0.1% higher. The i5-4670's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-7400T at 1348, also 0.1% higher.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i7-3820QM uses Ivy Bridge, while the i5-4670 uses Haswell. Both are built on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry, and both integrate 1,400 million transistors. The die sizes differ: the i7-3820QM measures 160 mm², while the i5-4670 is larger at 177 mm².

The core and thread configuration is a major distinction. The i7-3820QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The i5-4670 has 4 cores and 4 threads, lacking hyper-threading. This explains the consistent multi-core advantage for the i7-3820QM.

Cache allocation also differs. Both share a 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core. The L3 cache, however, is 8 MB shared on the i7-3820QM versus 6 MB shared on the i5-4670. The larger L3 cache on the i7-3820QM may contribute to its single-core edge.

Integrated graphics set the two apart as well. The i7-3820QM pairs with Intel HD 4000, while the i5-4670 features Intel HD 4600. The i5-4670's newer graphics architecture likely offers better media capabilities, though the benchmark data does not cover iGPU performance. The i5-4670 also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-3820QM's PCIe information is not recorded.

The market segments differ fundamentally: the i7-3820QM is a mobile processor, and the i5-4670 is a desktop part. This influences socket compatibility, thermal design, and platform choices, even though the core architectures share a common lineage.

Specification Differences

The base clock speeds differ notably. The i7-3820QM runs at 2.70 GHz, while the i5-4670 runs at 3.40 GHz. Boost clocks are closer: 3.70 GHz for the i7-3820QM and 3.80 GHz for the i5-4670. The i5-4670's higher clocks partially offset its lack of hyper-threading.

Thermal design power separates the two clearly. The i7-3820QM has a 45 W TDP, suited for mobile chassis. The i5-4670 draws 84 W, reflecting its desktop orientation.

Socket compatibility is entirely different. The i7-3820QM uses Intel BGA 1224, a soldered mobile socket. The i5-4670 uses Intel Socket 1150, a desktop LGA socket. These are not interchangeable.

Memory support shows another difference. The i5-4670 explicitly supports DDR3 memory, while the i7-3820QM's memory support is not recorded in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory.

The release dates are separated by about 13 months: the i7-3820QM launched on 2012-04-28, and the i5-4670 on 2013-06-01. The part numbers also differ: SR0MK for the i7-3820QM and SR14D for the i5-4670. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The process node, foundry, and transistor count are identical at 22 nm, Intel, and 1,400 million. The die size differs slightly, with the i7-3820QM at 160 mm² and the i5-4670 at 177 mm². These specification differences, combined with the benchmark results, paint a picture of two closely matched processors with different platform identities and thread capabilities.