Intel Core i7-2860QM vs Intel Core i7-3612QM Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the database?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins only 1 test, the Geekbench single-core test.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM has an average benchmark score of 1129, while the Intel Core i7-2860QM has an average score of 1120. Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How does the multi-core Cinebench R23 score compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM scores 3944 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 1.8% higher than the Intel Core i7-2860QM's score of 3873.

Q: What is the single-core Geekbench result for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM scores 558 in Geekbench single-core, which is 10.2% higher than the Intel Core i7-3612QM's score of 501. This is the only test where the 2860QM leads.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-3612QM is built on Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-2860QM uses Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core i7-2860QM has a TDP of 45 watts. The 3612QM is rated 10 watts lower.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear but narrow overall winner: the Intel Core i7-3612QM. It wins 7 of 8 benchmarks, with multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests all going its way by margins between 1.7% and 1.9%. The only exception is Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i7-2860QM posts a substantial 10.2% advantage.

For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering and multi-threaded performance, the i7-3612QM is the better pick. Its 35 watt TDP also makes it the more efficient choice for mobile systems. However, if a specific application depends heavily on Geekbench single-core performance, the i7-2860QM offers a meaningful edge in that one metric.

Given that both CPUs sit at the same 32nd percentile overall, neither is a class leader. But the i7-3612QM's consistent wins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, plus its lower power envelope, make it the more balanced recommendation for general mobile computing tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a pattern of narrow victories for the i7-3612QM across most tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3612QM scores 397 versus 390 for the i7-2860QM, a 1.8% lead. The single-core R15 test is similarly close: 55 versus 54, a 1.9% margin.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-3612QM again leads in multi-core with 1656 against 1626, a 1.8% difference. Single-core R20 shows 233 versus 229, a 1.7% edge. The R23 results continue the trend: multi-core 3944 versus 3873, and single-core 556 versus 546, both at 1.8% deltas.

Geekbench multi-core is the closest contest. The i7-3612QM scores 1691 against 1681, a slim 0.6% advantage. This is the narrowest win for either processor in the entire comparison.

The one decisive result belongs to the i7-2860QM. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 558 versus 501 for the i7-3612QM. That 10.2% delta is by far the largest margin in any test, and it flips the expected outcome based on the Cinebench results.

Overall, the i7-3612QM accumulates wins through small but consistent margins across seven tests, while the i7-2860QM captures a single, larger victory in Geekbench single-core.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several core specifications. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, both use the Intel Socket G2 (988B), both have dual-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC memory. Both also have locked multipliers and integrated graphics, though the specific GPU models differ.

The clock speeds differ notably. The i7-2860QM has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i7-3612QM runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. Despite the lower clocks, the i7-3612QM wins most benchmarks.

TDP is another key difference. The i7-3612QM is rated at 35 watts, while the i7-2860QM is rated at 45 watts. This makes the i7-3612QM the lower-power option for mobile platforms.

Cache sizes also differ. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. However, the i7-3612QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-2860QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 on the 2860QM does not translate into benchmark wins.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The i7-3612QM features Intel HD 4000, while the i7-2860QM features Intel HD 3000. Release dates are separated by several months, with the i7-2860QM launching in September 2011 and the i7-3612QM in April 2012. The 2860QM is marked as end-of-life, while the 3612QM has no such status.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is straightforward: the i7-3612QM uses Ivy Bridge, while the i7-2860QM uses Sandy Bridge. This generation change brings several measurable differences in the physical design.

The process node shrinks from 32 nm on Sandy Bridge to 22 nm on Ivy Bridge. This is reflected in the transistor counts. The i7-3612QM packs 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The i7-2860QM has 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. The newer process allows more transistors in a smaller area.

The cache hierarchy differs in the L3 portion. Both processors use 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i7-3612QM provides 6 MB of shared L3, while the i7-2860QM provides 8 MB. The older chip carries a larger last-level cache.

The integrated graphics also reflect the generational change. The i7-3612QM ships with Intel HD 4000, while the i7-2860QM ships with Intel HD 3000. Both are mobile processors with dual-channel memory support.

The lower TDP of the i7-3612QM, 35 watts versus 45 watts, aligns with the more efficient 22 nm process. Despite the reduced power budget and lower clock speeds, the Ivy Bridge design wins the majority of benchmark comparisons.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3612QM wins across the Cinebench suite in both single-core and multi-core tests. It leads by 1.8% in R15 multi-core, 1.9% in R15 single-core, 1.8% in R20 multi-core, 1.7% in R20 single-core, 1.8% in R23 multi-core, and 1.8% in R23 single-core. It also edges out the i7-2860QM in Geekbench multi-core by 0.6%. This makes it the preferred choice for rendering workloads, multi-threaded productivity, and any application that follows Cinebench scaling patterns.

The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins only one test, but it wins big. Its Geekbench single-core score of 558 beats the i7-3612QM's 501 by 10.2%. For users running applications that are sensitive to Geekbench single-core performance, the 2860QM offers a clear advantage. This includes lightly threaded tasks where a single core's efficiency matters more than the chip's overall design.

The TDP difference also informs the use-case split. The i7-3612QM's 35 watt rating makes it suitable for thinner, cooler-running mobile systems. The i7-2860QM's 45 watt rating suggests it was designed for larger laptops with more robust cooling.

In summary, the i7-3612QM is the broader winner across the benchmark suite and the more efficient part, while the i7-2860QM holds a specific, substantial lead in Geekbench single-core that could matter for certain applications.