Intel Core i5-4670T vs Intel Core i7-3615QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4670T and Intel Core i7-3615QM present a fascinating matchup defined by generational architecture versus thread count. The data shows a clear split: the i7-3615QM dominates all Cinebench tests, while the i5-4670T achieves decisive victories in Geekbench. The i7-3615QM wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, yet the i5-4670T posts a higher average benchmark score of 1271 versus 1260. The i5-4670T also holds a 35th percentile ranking versus the i7-3615QM's 34th. The verdict hinges on workload: the i7-3615QM is the choice for threaded rendering workloads, while the i5-4670T is the pick for tasks that leverage the Geekbench metric, which heavily favors its newer architecture.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i7-3615QM is the superior processor for multi-threaded rendering tasks. Its lead over the i5-4670T is consistent and substantial across every Cinebench test, with margins hovering around 13%. For users prioritizing Cinebench R23 multicore performance, the i7-3615QM's score of 4393 versus 3820 makes it the definitive choice. This is a direct result of its thread count: the i7-3615QM offers 8 threads compared to the i5-4670T's 4, allowing it to process more parallel work.

Conversely, the Intel Core i5-4670T is the clear winner in Geekbench tests. The i5-4670T scores 977 in Geekbench single-core, a massive 76.4% improvement over the i7-3615QM's 554. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-4670T scores 2563 versus 1907, a 34.4% advantage. This suggests that for applications that rely on the specific instruction set or architectural efficiencies measured by Geekbench, the newer Haswell design of the i5-4670T provides a significant performance edge.

Who should pick which? Strictly from the data, a user running Cinebench-based workloads should choose the i7-3615QM. A user whose primary benchmark is Geekbench should choose the i5-4670T. The i7-3615QM's higher thread count makes its Cinebench dominance logical, while the i5-4670T's architectural advantage is equally clear in Geekbench. The overall average scores are nearly identical, with a 0.9% difference, meaning the "best" chip depends entirely on the specific performance metric that matters most.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct Intel architectures. The i5-4670T is based on the Haswell architecture, while the i7-3615QM uses the older Ivy Bridge design. Both are built on the same 22 nm process node and contain 1,400 million transistors, but the die sizes differ: the i5-4670T has a die size of 177 mm², while the i7-3615QM's die is smaller at 160 mm². This difference suggests a denser or differently organized layout for the Haswell chip.

Both processors feature 4 physical cores, but the similarity ends there. The i7-3615QM supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, whereas the i5-4670T has only 4 threads. Cache configurations are identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory bus is dual-channel for both, though memory support is listed as DDR3 for the i5-4670T and is not specified for the i7-3615QM.

The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-4670T featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i7-3615QM using Intel HD 4000. The i5-4670T is a desktop part on the Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3615QM is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1224 socket. The i5-4670T supports PCIe Gen 3, while PCIe information is not listed for the i7-3615QM. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates show the i7-3615QM came first in April 2012, with the i5-4670T following in June 2013.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3615QM wins decisively in Cinebench workloads. Its scores are consistently higher across all versions of the test, from Cinebench R15 to R23. In multicore tests, the i7-3615QM's 8 threads provide a clear advantage, with a 13.1% lead in R15, R20, and a 13% lead in R23. Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the i7-3615QM holds a 12.9% to 13.1% edge, which is surprising given the i5-4670T's newer architecture. This indicates that the i7-3615QM's core design, despite being older, executes Cinebench's single-threaded workload more efficiently.

The i5-4670T wins in Geekbench, and by a wide margin. The single-core Geekbench score of 977 versus 554 is a 76.4% advantage, showcasing a massive architectural improvement in Haswell for the operations Geekbench measures. The multicore Geekbench score of 2563 versus 1907 is a 34.4% lead, meaning the i5-4670T's two fewer threads are more than compensated for by its superior per-core performance in this benchmark. This suggests the i5-4670T is better suited for applications that are sensitive to single-threaded latency and specific instruction-level parallelism.

For users, this means the i7-3615QM is the better choice for video rendering and 3D modeling tasks that rely on Cinebench's rendering engine. The i5-4670T is the better choice for general productivity and tasks that align with Geekbench's mixed workload, which often includes encryption, compression, and image processing. The data does not support a universal winner; the correct selection is workload-dependent.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670T has a higher average benchmark score of 1271, compared to the Intel Core i7-3615QM's 1260. This is a difference of 0.9%.

Q: Does the i7-3615QM win all benchmark tests?

A: No. The i7-3615QM wins all six Cinebench tests, but the i5-4670T wins both Geekbench tests. The head-to-head record is 6 wins for the i7-3615QM and 2 wins for the i5-4670T.

Q: How large is the i5-4670T's advantage in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i5-4670T scores 977, while the i7-3615QM scores 554. This represents a 76.4% advantage for the i5-4670T.

Q: What is the thread count difference between the two chips?

A: The i5-4670T has 4 threads, while the i7-3615QM has 8 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: Are both processors built on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both the i5-4670T and the i7-3615QM are built on a 22 nm process node by Intel.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The i5-4670T ranks in the 35th percentile, slightly higher than the i7-3615QM's 34th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3615QM scores 442 against the i5-4670T's 384, a 13.1% difference. The R15 single-core test shows the i7-3615QM at 62 versus 54, a 12.9% lead. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, with the i7-3615QM scoring 1845 multicore and 260 single-core, versus the i5-4670T's 1604 and 226, respectively. Both R20 deltas are 13.1%. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend: the i7-3615QM scores 4393, and the i5-4670T scores 3820, a 13% delta. The R23 single-core test shows 620 versus 539, another 13.1% gap.

The Geekbench results invert the picture entirely. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-4670T scores 977, which is 76.4% higher than the i7-3615QM's 554. This is the largest performance delta in the entire comparison. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-4670T scores 2563, a 34.4% improvement over the i7-3615QM's 1907. The magnitude of these wins is far larger than the i7-3615QM's Cinebench victories, which were all capped at 13.1%. The data shows that the i5-4670T's architectural advantages in Geekbench are more pronounced than the i7-3615QM's thread advantage in Cinebench.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specification fields. The most notable difference is in threads: the i5-4670T has 4 threads, while the i7-3615QM has 8 threads. Their base and boost clocks are identical at 2.30 GHz and 3.30 GHz, respectively, and both have a 45 W TDP.

The socket types are different: the i5-4670T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3615QM uses Intel BGA 1224. The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-4670T featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i7-3615QM using Intel HD 4000. The market segment also differs: the i5-4670T is a Desktop processor, while the i7-3615QM is a Mobile processor.

The die size is not the same, with the i5-4670T at 177 mm² and the i7-3615QM at 160 mm². The i5-4670T supports PCIe Gen 3, while PCIe support is not specified for the i7-3615QM. Memory support is listed as DDR3 for the i5-4670T, but no memory support type is listed for the i7-3615QM. The part numbers also differ, with the i5-4670T being SR14P and the i7-3615QM being SR0MP. The release dates are different, with the i5-4670T launching in June 2013 and the i7-3615QM in April 2012.