Intel Core i7-2600S vs Intel Core i7-3612QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a remarkably close contest between these two quad-core, eight-thread processors. The Intel Core i7-2600S and the Intel Core i7-3612QM split their eight recorded tests evenly, with four wins each, but the magnitude of the victories tells a more nuanced story. In the Cinebench suite, the i7-3612QM holds a narrow but consistent edge across the multi-core tests, while the i7-2600S dominates in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance.

Starting with multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3612QM wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests, though by the thinnest of margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 397 against 396 for the i7-2600S, a difference of only 0.3%. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-3612QM posts 1656 versus 1651, again a 0.3% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same story: 3944 for the i7-3612QM against 3933 for the i7-2600S, another 0.3% difference. These are effectively statistical ties, but the mobile chip does win every Cinebench multi-core test recorded.

The single-core Cinebench results are even closer. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors score exactly 55, with the i7-2600S awarded the win due to the tie-breaking convention in the database. Cinebench R20 single-core also results in a tie at 233, again credited to the i7-2600S. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-3612QM edges ahead with 556 against 555, a 0.2% difference. These single-core Cinebench scores are so close that no meaningful performance separation exists in this particular workload.

The Geekbench results break the pattern decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the i7-2600S scores 1765 against 1691 for the i7-3612QM, a 4.4% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test shows an even larger gap: 578 for the i7-2600S versus 501 for the i7-3612QM, a substantial 15.4% lead. This is the single biggest margin in the entire head-to-head comparison, and it indicates that the desktop chip holds a clear advantage in the workloads modeled by Geekbench single-core.

The average benchmark scores across the database's entire suite place the i7-2600S at 1146 and the i7-3612QM at 1129, a difference of roughly 1.5%. Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same position in the overall performance distribution. The nearest rivals for the i7-2600S include the AMD Opteron 4284 at an identical average score of 1146, the Intel Core i7-3612QE at 1147 (0.1% faster), and the Intel Core i5-4430 at 1149 (0.3% faster). For the i7-3612QM, the closest comparison is the Intel Core i5-4690T at an identical 1129, with the Intel Core i7-2720QM at 1128 (0.1% slower) and the Intel Core i5-3330S also at 1128 (0.1% faster).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture generations, and those differences explain much of their benchmark behavior. The i7-2600S is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, while the i7-3612QM uses Ivy Bridge. The manufacturing process differs accordingly: Sandy Bridge uses a 32 nm node, while Ivy Bridge shrinks to 22 nm. This process shrink allows the i7-3612QM to pack more transistors into a smaller die: 1,400 million transistors across 160 mm², compared to 1,160 million transistors across 216 mm² for the i7-2600S. The Ivy Bridge chip achieves higher transistor density in a physically smaller package.

Cache configurations also differ between the two. Both processors share the same per-core L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core. The L3 cache, however, favors the i7-2600S: it has 8 MB shared, while the i7-3612QM has only 6 MB shared. This 2 MB difference in last-level cache could influence performance in cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data shows the smaller-cache chip still manages to win the Cinebench multi-core tests.

Clock speeds show a clear trade-off between the two. The i7-2600S runs at a base clock of 2.80 GHz and boosts to 3.80 GHz. The i7-3612QM operates at a lower 2.10 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. Despite the lower clock speeds, the i7-3612QM matches or slightly exceeds the i7-2600S in Cinebench tests, suggesting that the Ivy Bridge architecture extracts more performance per clock cycle. The thermal design power reflects the different market segments: the i7-2600S is rated at 65 watts for desktop use, while the i7-3612QM is rated at 35 watts, a mobile-class power envelope.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-2600S includes Intel HD 2000, while the i7-3612QM features Intel HD 4000, the newer generation. The i7-2600S uses an Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-3612QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), reflecting its mobile design. The i7-2600S supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the database records no PCIe specification for the i7-3612QM. Both processors support dual-channel DDR3 memory, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The release dates place these chips about fifteen months apart. The i7-2600S launched in January 2011, while the i7-3612QM arrived in April 2012. The i7-2600S is marked as end-of-life in the database, while no production status is recorded for the i7-3612QM.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict for most users: the Intel Core i7-2600S is the stronger processor for single-threaded and general-purpose performance, while the Intel Core i7-3612QM offers a very close multi-threaded match in a far more power-efficient package. The 15.4% lead in Geekbench single-core is the most decisive result in the entire comparison, giving the desktop chip a meaningful edge in applications that rely on single-thread performance. The 4.4% lead in Geekbench multi-core reinforces that advantage.

For multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3612QM wins every Cinebench multi-core test, but the margins are so small (0.3% in all three cases) that they fall within normal run-to-run variance. The i7-2600S does not lose meaningful ground in Cinebench, and it maintains clear wins in Geekbench. Users prioritizing raw single-core speed should choose the i7-2600S. Users who need the lower power draw and mobile form factor should choose the i7-3612QM, accepting a minor trade-off in Geekbench performance. The 35 watt TDP of the i7-3612QM, against 65 watts for the i7-2600S, is the largest practical difference between them.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S wins Geekbench single-core by 15.4%, scoring 578 against 501. In Cinebench single-core tests, the two are effectively tied, with identical scores of 55 in R15 and 233 in R20, and a 0.2% edge for the i7-3612QM in R23.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The i7-3612QM wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests: R15 at 397 versus 396, R20 at 1656 versus 1651, and R23 at 3944 versus 3933, each by 0.3%. The i7-2600S wins Geekbench multi-core by 4.4%, scoring 1765 against 1691.

Q: What are the cache differences?

A: Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i7-2600S has 8 MB shared L3, while the i7-3612QM has 6 MB shared L3.

Q: How do their power requirements differ?

A: The i7-2600S has a 65 watt TDP, while the i7-3612QM has a 35 watt TDP, making the mobile chip substantially more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The i7-2600S has a 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.80 GHz boost. The i7-3612QM has a 2.10 GHz base clock and 3.10 GHz boost.

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each chip?

A: The i7-2600S includes Intel HD 2000, while the i7-3612QM features Intel HD 4000.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2600S wins in scenarios that stress single-thread performance. The Geekbench single-core result of 578 against 501, a 15.4% advantage, is the clearest signal. Applications that rely on high clock speeds and responsive single-thread behavior will favor this chip. Its 3.80 GHz boost clock, compared to 3.10 GHz on the i7-3612QM, supports this advantage. The i7-2600S also wins Geekbench multi-core by 4.4%, so general-purpose computing tasks that resemble that workload will show a measurable improvement.

The i7-3612QM wins in Cinebench multi-core tests across all three versions (R15, R20, R23), each by 0.3%. This indicates that the Ivy Bridge architecture's efficiency compensates for its lower clock speeds in heavily threaded rendering workloads. The 22 nm process node and higher transistor count (1,400 million versus 1,160 million) likely contribute to this behavior. The 35 watt TDP makes the i7-3612QM the right choice for systems where power consumption is a priority, such as laptops or compact mobile devices. Its Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics also represent a newer generation than the HD 2000 in the i7-2600S.

For users choosing between these two, the decision hinges on the workload. Rendering tasks that scale across cores will see nearly identical results, with a slight edge to the i7-3612QM. Single-threaded applications and general desktop responsiveness will favor the i7-2600S. The i7-3612QM offers the additional benefit of lower power draw, which may be decisive for mobile or thermally constrained systems.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i7-2600S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the i7-3612QM operates at 2.10 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The thermal design power differs substantially: 65 watts for the i7-2600S versus 35 watts for the i7-3612QM. The socket types are different, with the i7-2600S using Intel Socket 1155 and the i7-3612QM using Intel Socket G2 (988B).

The architectures come from different generations: Sandy Bridge for the i7-2600S and Ivy Bridge for the i7-3612QM. The process node shrinks from 32 nm to 22 nm. Transistor counts differ, with the i7-2600S at 1,160 million and the i7-3612QM at 1,400 million. The die sizes also differ: 216 mm² for the i7-2600S and 160 mm² for the i7-3612QM.

L3 cache favors the i7-2600S at 8 MB shared, while the i7-3612QM has 6 MB shared. The integrated graphics differ, with Intel HD 2000 on the i7-2600S and Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3612QM. The market segments differ: desktop for the i7-2600S and mobile for the i7-3612QM. The i7-2600S supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while no PCIe specification is recorded for the i7-3612QM. The release dates are January 2011 for the i7-2600S and April 2012 for the i7-3612QM. The i7-2600S is marked end-of-life, while the i7-3612QM has no recorded production status. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both support dual-channel DDR3 memory without ECC.