Intel Core i7-2720QM vs Intel Core i7-3612QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3612QM and Intel Core i7-2720QM are two mobile quad-core processors from adjacent generations, and the benchmark data shows a clear, consistent winner. The i7-3612QM leads in every single recorded test, with the largest margins appearing in multi-threaded workloads. Across seven head-to-head benchmarks, the i7-3612QM secures seven wins, while the i7-2720QM secures none. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—1129 for the i7-3612QM and 1128 for the i7-2720QM—placing both at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, but that aggregate figure hides the decisive per-test advantages detailed below.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern is the consistency of the i7-3612QM’s lead across all rendering tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3612QM scores 397 against the i7-2720QM’s 344, a 15.4% advantage. That exact 15.4% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1656 vs 1435) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3944 vs 3417), showing that the newer architecture’s advantage scales perfectly with workload length. The single-core Cinebench results tell the same story: a 15.3% lead in R20 single-core (233 vs 202) and a 15.4% lead in R23 single-core (556 vs 482). These are not marginal wins; the i7-3612QM is decisively faster in every Cinebench iteration.

The Geekbench results show a narrower but still positive margin for the i7-3612QM. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 1691 versus 1535, a 10.2% advantage. The single-core Geekbench gap shrinks to just 3.5%, with scores of 501 and 484. This smaller single-core delta suggests that the architectural improvements in the i7-3612QM benefit multi-threaded scaling more than raw single-thread speed, though it still wins both. It is worth remembering the i7-2720QM has a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz and boost clock of 3.30 GHz compared to the i7-3612QM’s 2.10 GHz and 3.10 GHz, yet it loses every test—clock speed alone does not explain the performance gap.

For context, both CPUs sit near the same average performance tier as the Intel Core i5-4690T and Intel Core i5-3330S, with delta values of 0.0% to 0.1% in either direction. The i7-3612QM’s average score of 1129 is matched exactly by the i5-4690T, while the i7-2720QM’s 1128 matches the i5-3330S. This places both squarely in the same performance class as those desktop parts, despite being mobile processors.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3612QM is the better processor for every measured workload. It wins all seven head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 3.5% in Geekbench single-core to 15.4% in multiple Cinebench tests. If you are choosing between these two for a laptop or upgrade, the i7-3612QM is the clear pick for anyone prioritizing CPU performance.

The i7-2720QM’s only advantages are its higher base and boost clocks (2.20/3.30 GHz vs 2.10/3.10 GHz) and its earlier release date (January 2011 vs April 2012), but neither translates into a benchmark win. The i7-2720QM also carries a 45 W TDP compared to the i7-3612QM’s 35 W TDP, meaning the newer chip delivers better performance at a lower thermal envelope. For a mobile platform, that combination is significant: the i7-3612QM runs faster and cooler, which is the ideal scenario for laptops.

That said, the i7-2720QM is not a bad CPU in absolute terms. Its average benchmark score of 1128 places it at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, identical to the i7-3612QM’s percentile. In Geekbench single-core, the gap is only 3.5%, which is nearly imperceptible in everyday use. If you already own a system with an i7-2720QM, the data does not suggest an urgent need to upgrade—the performance difference is a 15% ceiling, not a doubling of speed. But for a new purchase, the i7-3612QM is strictly superior in every measured category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i7-3612QM is based on Ivy Bridge, built on a 22 nm process node, while the i7-2720QM uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm node. This process shrink is the primary driver of the performance and efficiency differences. The i7-3612QM packs 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die, whereas the i7-2720QM has 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. The smaller, denser design of the i7-3612QM explains its lower TDP (35 W vs 45 W) despite higher benchmark scores.

Both CPUs feature 4 cores and 8 threads, so the thread count is identical. The cache hierarchy is also the same: 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 use dual-channel memory buses. The integrated graphics differ—the i7-3612QM has Intel HD 4000, while the i7-2720QM has Intel HD 3000—which aligns with the generational leap. The sockets are also different: the i7-3612QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i7-2720QM uses Intel BGA 1224, meaning they are not drop-in compatible with each other.

The production status also differs: the i7-2720QM is listed as end-of-life, while the i7-3612QM has no such status, suggesting the newer part remained in the market longer. The part numbers are SR0MQ for the i7-3612QM and SR00W for the i7-2720QM. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM wins every multi-core test. It leads by 15.4% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, and by 10.2% in Geekbench multi-core.

Q: Is the i7-2720QM better in single-core performance?

A: No. The i7-3612QM wins all three single-core tests: Cinebench R20 single-core (233 vs 202, +15.3%), Cinebench R23 single-core (556 vs 482, +15.4%), and Geekbench single-core (501 vs 484, +3.5%).

Q: Why does the i7-2720QM have a higher clock speed but lose benchmarks?

A: The i7-2720QM has a 2.20 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, versus 2.10/3.10 GHz for the i7-3612QM. However, the i7-3612QM’s newer 22 nm Ivy Bridge architecture delivers higher instructions per clock, resulting in a win despite the lower clocks.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and cache?

A: Yes. Both have 4 cores, 8 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. They differ in process node, transistor count, die size, TDP, socket, and integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The i7-3612QM has a 35 W TDP versus 45 W for the i7-2720QM, and it still outperforms it in all benchmarks. The 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die explains the efficiency gain.

Q: Are these CPUs interchangeable in the same laptop?

A: No. The i7-3612QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i7-2720QM uses Intel BGA 1224. They are physically incompatible with each other.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3612QM wins in every benchmark category recorded. For multi-threaded rendering tasks, it is the clear choice: Cinebench R15 multi-core (397 vs 344), R20 multi-core (1656 vs 1435), and R23 multi-core (3944 vs 3417) all show a 15.4% lead. This makes it the better option for video editing, 3D rendering, and any workload that scales across 8 threads. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 1691 versus 1535 reinforces this, with a 10.2% margin. For single-threaded tasks, it also wins, though the margin is smaller—3.5% in Geekbench single-core and 15.3-15.4% in Cinebench single-core. This covers everyday applications, web browsing, and legacy software that relies on one or two cores.

The i7-2720QM has no benchmark wins to claim. Its only relative strengths are its higher clock speeds (2.20/3.30 GHz) and its earlier release date (January 2011), which may matter for legacy software compatibility in theory, but the data shows no performance benefit. Its 45 W TDP is a drawback in mobile systems, as it generates more heat for less performance. The i7-2720QM is end-of-life, so sourcing a new unit may be harder. In practical terms, the i7-2720QM is only the right choice if you are constrained to its BGA 1224 socket and cannot switch to the i7-3612QM’s G2 socket. Otherwise, the i7-3612QM is the superior part across the board.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are as follows. The i7-3612QM uses a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, while the i7-2720QM uses a 32 nm node with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i7-3612QM has a lower TDP of 35 W versus 45 W for the i7-2720QM. Base clocks differ: 2.10 GHz for the i7-3612QM versus 2.20 GHz for the i7-2720QM. Boost clocks differ: 3.10 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. The socket is Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-3612QM and Intel BGA 1224 for the i7-2720QM. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000 versus Intel HD 3000. The release dates are April 2012 for the i7-3612QM and January 2011 for the i7-2720QM. The i7-2720QM is marked end-of-life, while the i7-3612QM is not. Part numbers are SR0MQ and SR00W, respectively. All other specifications—4 cores, 8 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, dual-channel memory, no ECC, no unlocked multiplier—are identical.