Intel Core i5-8365UE vs Intel Core i7-3615QE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture across all six Cinebench tests. The older Intel Core i7-3615QE wins every single head-to-head matchup, but the margins are razor thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3615QE scores 481 against the i5-8365UE's 474, a 1.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 67 versus 66, again a 1.5% lead for the i7.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-3615QE posts 2005 multi-core and 283 single-core, while the i5-8365UE manages 1978 and 279 respectively. That works out to a 1.4% edge for the older chip in both disciplines. The R23 results continue the trend: the i7-3615QE scores 4774 multi-core and 674 single-core, compared to 4710 and 665 for the i5-8365UE, with the same 1.4% delta.

The overall win count stands at 6 for the i7-3615QE and 0 for the i5-8365UE. However, the average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The i7-3615QE averages 1381 points across its benchmark suite, while the i5-8365UE averages 1362. That is a difference of roughly 1.4%, which aligns with the per-test deltas. The i7-3615QE's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Opteron 6238 at 1383 (0.1% higher), the AMD Opteron 6366 HE at 1379 (0.1% lower), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U at 1379 (0.2% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 at 1379 (0.2% lower). The i5-8365UE, by contrast, sits alongside the Intel Core i5-6500T at 1362 (0% difference), the Intel Core i7-3820QM at 1366 (0.3% higher), the Intel Xeon D-1521 at 1367 (0.4% higher), and the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 at 1357 (0.4% lower).

Both processors land at the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database, reinforcing that they occupy the same performance tier despite their age difference.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from entirely different eras of Intel's mobile lineup. The i7-3615QE uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, with 1,400 million transistors packed into a 160 mm² die. It is a quad-core, eight-thread part with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, drawing 45 W of thermal design power. Its socket is Intel BGA 1023, and it was released in 2012, with part number SR0NC.

The i5-8365UE is a Whiskey Lake-U design built on a 14 nm process node. It also has four cores and eight threads, but its base clock reads 1600.00 MHz (effectively 1.60 GHz) while its boost clock reaches 4.10 GHz. This part sips power at just 15 W TDP, making it far more efficient. It uses the Intel BGA 1528 socket and was released in 2019, with part number SRFDU. The production status for the i5-8365UE is listed as Active, while the i7-3615QE has no production status recorded, implying it is long since discontinued.

Both share identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither supports ECC memory, and both run dual-channel memory buses. The i5-8365UE supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the i7-3615QE has no memory support details recorded in the database. The i5-8365UE also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only); the i7-3615QE has no PCIe information.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-3615QE carries Intel HD 4000, while the i5-8365UE has UHD Graphics 620, a much newer iGPU generation. The i5-8365UE has a launch MSRP of $297, which can be stated once as a reference point; the i7-3615QE has no launch MSRP on record.

Where Each One Wins

Given that the i7-3615QE wins all six benchmark tests, its strengths are clear. In multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, it holds a consistent 1.4% to 1.5% lead. That edge, while small, is uniform across every test, suggesting the older chip's higher base clock of 2.30 GHz versus 1.60 GHz helps it sustain throughput even when boost clocks differ. For single-threaded tasks, the i7-3615QE also takes the lead in all three single-core tests, again by 1.4% to 1.5%. This is notable because the i5-8365UE has a much higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz compared to 3.30 GHz; the recorded scores show the boost advantage does not translate into a win.

The i5-8365UE has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but its data still highlights where it holds appeal. Its 15 W TDP versus the i7-3615QE's 45 W means dramatically lower power draw and heat output. The newer UHD Graphics 620 is a more modern integrated solution, and the DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth indicates a more current platform. The i5-8365UE also has an Active production status, so it remains available, whereas the i7-3615QE appears to be a legacy part.

For users who prioritize raw Cinebench scores, the i7-3615QE wins outright. For those who need a working, efficient mobile processor with modern platform features, the i5-8365UE offers those advantages, just not in benchmark performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-3615QE scores 4774 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i5-8365UE scores 4710, giving the i7-3615QE a 1.4% lead.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i7-3615QE wins all three single-core tests: 67 versus 66 in R15, 283 versus 279 in R20, and 674 versus 665 in R23. Each margin is 1.4% or 1.5%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two chips?

A: The i7-3615QE has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-8365UE has a 15 W TDP. The i5-8365UE draws significantly less power.

Q: Do both processors have the same cache layout?

A: Yes, both have 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What are the socket types?

A: The i7-3615QE uses Intel BGA 1023, and the i5-8365UE uses Intel BGA 1528. They are not socket-compatible.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-8365UE boosts to 4.10 GHz, whereas the i7-3615QE boosts to 3.30 GHz. Despite this, the i7-3615QE still wins every benchmark test.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3615QE | Intel Core i5-8365UE |

|----------------|----------------------|----------------------|

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 1600.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1023 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Whiskey Lake |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Whiskey Lake-U |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | Not recorded |

| Memory Support | Not recorded | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Production Status | Not recorded | Active |

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2019-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $297 |

| Part Number | SR0NC | SRFDU |

Shared specifications: 4 cores, 8 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, multiplier locked, mobile market segment, Intel foundry.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous on performance: the Intel Core i7-3615QE wins every single benchmark in this comparison, from Cinebench R15 to R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. The margins are small, ranging from 1.4% to 1.5%, but they are consistent across six separate measurements. If the only criterion is raw Cinebench throughput, the i7-3615QE is the pick.

However, the i5-8365UE is not without rationale. Its 15 W TDP versus 45 W makes it far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and cooling matter more than a few percent of benchmark score. It supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, includes a newer UHD Graphics 620 iGPU, and remains in Active production. The i7-3615QE is a legacy part with no production status and older HD 4000 graphics.

Users with existing BGA 1023 platforms or those who need maximum compute from a 45 W part should choose the i7-3615QE. Users building on a modern BGA 1528 platform, prioritizing efficiency, or needing current memory and graphics support should choose the i5-8365UE, accepting a small performance deficit. Both CPUs sit at the 36th percentile in the database, so neither offers a dramatic advantage over the general CPU population; the decision comes down to platform fit and power constraints rather than benchmark dominance.