Intel Core i5-4670R vs Intel Core i7-3610QE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3610QE and Intel Core i5-4670R are both 22 nm quad-core processors, but they target fundamentally different segments: the i7-3610QE is a mobile chip, while the i5-4670R is a desktop part. Despite the i5-4670R's newer Haswell architecture and higher clock speeds, benchmark results show the i7-3610QE winning every single head-to-head test, albeit by narrow margins. The i7-3610QE takes all six benchmark victories, with deltas ranging from 1.6% to 1.9%, while the i5-4670R records zero wins. This outcome is driven by the i7's hyper-threading, which provides eight threads versus the i5's four, compensating for its lower base and boost clocks.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3610QE wins every benchmark category in this comparison. It claims victory in all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, and R23) for both multi-core and single-core tests. The largest margin of victory is 1.9%, achieved in Cinebench R20 multicore, R23 multicore, and R23 single-core tests. The smallest margin is 1.6%, seen in Cinebench R15 single-core. This consistent, across-the-board win pattern suggests the i7-3610QE has a slight but reliable performance edge in both threaded and lightly-threaded workloads.

However, the i5-4670R is not without its strengths. It operates at a significantly higher base clock of 3.00 GHz compared to 2.30 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. It also features the newer Haswell architecture and a larger die size of 177 mm² versus 160 mm². Where the i5-4670R could plausibly win is in scenarios that favor raw clock speed over thread count, though the benchmark data does not show this advantage materializing in the tested Cinebench workloads. The i7-3610QE's 8 threads appear to be the decisive factor, enabling it to outperform the i5-4670R even with a 700 MHz deficit in base clock and a 400 MHz deficit in boost clock.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent two distinct generations of Intel silicon. The i7-3610QE is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i5-4670R uses the newer Haswell design. Both are manufactured on the same 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry and both pack the same transistor count of 1,400 million. The die size differs, with the i5-4670R measuring 177 mm² compared to the i7-3610QE's 160 mm², indicating the Haswell design uses its additional die area for architectural improvements rather than more transistors.

The most critical architectural difference is thread count. The i7-3610QE is a 4-core, 8-thread part, while the i5-4670R is a 4-core, 4-thread part. This means the i7-3610QE can process two threads per core via hyper-threading, while the i5-4670R does not offer this capability. This directly explains the benchmark results, as the i7-3610QE's extra threads allow it to maintain a lead in multi-core tests despite lower clock speeds. Cache configurations also differ: the i7-3610QE has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4670R has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Both share identical L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core.

The integrated graphics solutions differ notably. The i7-3610QE uses Intel HD 4000, while the i5-4670R is equipped with the more advanced Intel Iris? Pro 5200. The i5-4670R is also marked with an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, whereas the i7-3610QE is locked. The i5-4670R supports DDR3 memory, while the i7-3610QE's memory support is not specified in the data. The i7-3610QE uses a mobile socket (Intel Socket G2 988B) and has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-4670R uses a desktop socket (Intel BGA 1364) and has a higher 65 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table shows a clean sweep for the i7-3610QE. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3610QE scores 456 against the i5-4670R's 448, a 1.8% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-3610QE scores 64 versus 63, a 1.6% edge. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i7-3610QE scores 1903 against 1868 in multi-core (1.9% ahead) and 268 against 263 in single-core (1.9% ahead). In Cinebench R23, the i7-3610QE scores 4533 against 4448 in multi-core (1.9% ahead) and 639 against 627 in single-core (1.9% ahead).

These margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 1.8-1.9% for multi-core and 1.6-1.9% for single-core. The most significant single-core delta is 1.9% in Cinebench R23, where the i7-3610QE's 639 points outpace the i5-4670R's 627. This is notable because single-core performance typically favors higher clock speeds, yet the i7-3610QE still wins despite its lower boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The i7-3610QE also holds a Geekbench advantage, scoring 1954 in multi-core and 560 in single-core, though the i5-4670R lacks Geekbench scores in the data for direct comparison.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this picture. The i7-3610QE has an average benchmark score of 1297, placing it in the 35th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-4670R has an average score of 1286, also in the 35th percentile. The i7-3610QE's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3570K (avg score 1293, 0.3% delta), AMD Opteron 6328 (1304, -0.5%), Intel Core i7-3630QM (1289, 0.6%), and AMD Opteron 6272 (1288, 0.7%). The i5-4670R's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-3570 (1286, 0%), AMD Opteron 6272 (1288, -0.1%), Intel Core i7-3630QM (1289, -0.3%), and Intel Core i5-3570K (1293, -0.6%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QE has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4670R has only 4 threads, both with 4 physical cores.

Q: What is the clock speed difference between the two?

A: The i5-4670R has a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-3610QE wins with a score of 4533 against the i5-4670R's 4448, a 1.9% advantage.

Q: Do both processors use the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are built on a 22 nm process node by Intel, with the same 1,400 million transistor count.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-3610QE has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4670R has 4 MB.

Q: Is the i5-4670R overclockable?

A: Yes, the i5-4670R has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-3610QE is multiplier-locked.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across every major specification category. The i7-3610QE has 8 threads versus the i5-4670R's 4 threads. The i7-3610QE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the i5-4670R runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The i7-3610QE has a 45 W TDP, compared to the i5-4670R's 65 W TDP. The sockets are entirely different: the i7-3610QE uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), and the i5-4670R uses Intel BGA 1364.

Architecturally, the i7-3610QE is Ivy Bridge, while the i5-4670R is Haswell. The i7-3610QE has a die size of 160 mm², while the i5-4670R measures 177 mm². L3 cache is 6 MB on the i7-3610QE versus 4 MB on the i5-4670R. The integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3610QE versus Intel Iris? Pro 5200 on the i5-4670R. The i7-3610QE is a mobile-market chip, while the i5-4670R targets the desktop market. The i5-4670R is marked as Active in production status and supports DDR3 memory, while the i7-3610QE's production status and memory support are unspecified. The multiplier is unlocked on the i5-4670R but locked on the i7-3610QE. The i7-3610QE has a release date of April 2012, while the i5-4670R was released in June 2013.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, if narrow, overall winner: the Intel Core i7-3610QE. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with every margin between 1.6% and 1.9%. Its average benchmark score of 1297 also exceeds the i5-4670R's 1286. The i7-3610QE's advantage stems from its 8 threads versus 4, which overcomes the i5-4670R's higher clock speeds and newer Haswell architecture. For multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R23, the i7-3610QE's 4533 points versus 4448 show that thread count matters more than raw clock speed in these tests.

However, the i5-4670R is not without merit. It offers a higher base clock (3.00 GHz) and boost clock (3.70 GHz), a superior integrated GPU (Intel Iris? Pro 5200), and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Its desktop socket (BGA 1364) and active production status suggest it is a more current, upgradeable platform. Users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness at high clock speeds, or who need the better integrated graphics, might prefer the i5-4670R. But strictly on benchmark performance, the i7-3610QE is the better processor, leading in every measured test. The i5-4670R's closest rival, the Intel Core i5-3570, matches its average score exactly at 1286, indicating it performs on par with older Ivy Bridge parts rather than outpacing them. The verdict is straightforward: choose the i7-3610QE for maximum benchmark performance, especially in multi-threaded applications; choose the i5-4670R for its higher clocks, better iGPU, and overclocking headroom.