Intel Core i7-3520M vs Intel Core i7-4500U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split: the Intel Core i7-3520M dominates the Cinebench suite, while the Intel Core i7-4500U takes a commanding lead in Geekbench. This is not a case of one chip being simply faster; the results depend heavily on the workload being measured.

In the Cinebench tests, the Core i7-3520M is consistently ahead by roughly 13 percent. The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the 3520M scoring 244 against the 4500U's 212, a delta of negative 13.1 percent for the 4500U. The pattern holds across newer Cinebench versions: in R20 multicore, the 3520M scores 1018 versus 887 (negative 12.9 percent), and in R23 multicore, it scores 2426 versus 2113 (negative 12.9 percent). Single-core Cinebench results tell the same story, with the 3520M leading by 12.6 percent in R20 (143 vs 125) and by 12.9 percent in R23 (342 vs 298). These are consistent, repeatable margins across every iteration of the Cinebench workload.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. The Core i7-4500U posts a multicore score of 1562 against the 3520M's 1156, a massive 35.1 percent advantage. The single-core gap is even more pronounced: 818 versus 570, giving the 4500U a 43.5 percent lead. This is a dramatic divergence from the Cinebench results and suggests the two processors have very different performance characteristics depending on how the workload is structured.

The head-to-head tally shows the 3520M winning 5 of the 7 recorded benchmarks, but the magnitude of the 4500U's Geekbench victories means the average benchmark scores are close. The 4500U has an average benchmark score of 859, while the 3520M sits at 843. Both processors occupy the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they are aimed at similar market tiers despite their differing strengths.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different architectural generations from Intel. The Core i7-4500U is built on the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-ULT codename, while the Core i7-3520M uses the Ivy Bridge architecture. Both are fabricated on Intel's 22 nm process node, and both have a die size of 118 mm². The 4500U integrates 1,300 million transistors, while the transistor count for the 3520M is not recorded in the database.

The cache configurations are identical on paper: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Both chips have 2 cores and 4 threads, so the core count does not explain the benchmark differences. The distinguishing factors lie elsewhere.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The 4500U has a base clock of 1800 MHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The 3520M runs at a 2900 MHz base clock with a 3.60 GHz boost. The 3520M's higher sustained clock speeds likely explain its Cinebench advantage, as that workload tends to scale with raw clock frequency. However, the 4500U's higher Geekbench scores suggest architectural improvements in Haswell that benefit certain instruction patterns or memory access behaviors.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The 4500U is rated at 15 watts TDP, while the 3520M draws 35 watts. This is a fundamental design split: the 4500U is engineered for power efficiency in thin-and-light laptops, while the 3520M is a higher-power part for more traditional mobile workstations. The socket types reflect this, with the 4500U using Intel BGA 1168 and the 3520M using Intel BGA 1023.

Integrated graphics also differ. The 4500U pairs with Intel HD 4400, while the 3520M carries Intel HD 4000. Memory support is listed as DDR3 for the 4500U, while the 3520M's memory support field is not specified, though it does have dual-channel memory bus support. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M wins every recorded Cinebench test. It leads by 13.1 percent in R15 multicore, 12.9 percent in R20 multicore, 12.6 percent in R20 single-core, 12.9 percent in R23 multicore, and 12.9 percent in R23 single-core.

Q: How does the Core i7-4500U compare in Geekbench?

A: The 4500U wins decisively. It scores 1562 versus 1156 in multicore, a 35.1 percent advantage, and 818 versus 570 in single-core, a 43.5 percent advantage.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Core i7-3520M has a base clock of 2900 MHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Core i7-4500U has a base clock of 1800 MHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes. Both the Core i7-4500U and the Core i7-3520M have 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical L1, L2, and L3 cache sizes.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Core i7-4500U is rated at 15 watts, while the Core i7-3520M is rated at 35 watts. This makes the 4500U the more power-efficient option by a wide margin.

Q: What are the architectural differences?

A: The 4500U uses the Haswell architecture (Haswell-ULT codename), while the 3520M uses Ivy Bridge. Both are on a 22 nm process, but the 4500U has a newer microarchitecture.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4500U | Intel Core i7-3520M |

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

| Base Clock | 1800 MHz | 2900 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | Intel BGA 1023 |

| Architecture | Haswell (Haswell-ULT) | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Haswell-ULT | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,300 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 118 mm² | 118 mm² |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4400 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | Not specified (dual-channel bus) |

| Release Date | 2013-06-03 | 2012-06-02 |

Both processors share identical L1 (64 KB per core), L2 (256 KB per core), and L3 (4 MB shared) cache configurations. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture of two processors designed for different purposes within the mobile segment. The Intel Core i7-3520M is the stronger raw performer in Cinebench workloads, leveraging its higher clock speeds to deliver consistent 12 to 13 percent advantages across every Cinebench test iteration. For users running applications that behave like Cinebench, which is typically sustained, multi-threaded rendering or compute, the 3520M is the better choice based on the recorded measurements.

However, the Intel Core i7-4500U's Geekbench results cannot be dismissed. A 35.1 percent multicore lead and a 43.5 percent single-core lead over the 3520M represent a significant performance advantage in that benchmark suite. Geekbench tends to emphasize memory bandwidth, latency, and certain cryptographic or compression workloads, and the Haswell architecture's improvements clearly pay off there.

The average benchmark scores nearly cancel out: 859 for the 4500U versus 843 for the 3520M. Both sit at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are broadly comparable in overall database ranking. The nearest rivals for each processor reinforce this: the 4500U sits within a 0.4 percent margin of the AMD A8-7650K, Intel Core i5-2500T, Intel Xeon W3520, and Intel Core i5-5250U. The 3520M is similarly clustered with the AMD FX-8800P, Intel Core i7-920, Intel Xeon X5470, and Intel Core i5-3380M.

The deciding factor is power. The 4500U achieves its Geekbench dominance at 15 watts TDP, less than half the 3520M's 35 watts. For thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are paramount, the 4500U is the obvious pick. For machines that can accommodate a 35-watt chip and need maximum Cinebench-class performance, the 3520M is the stronger option. The release dates show the 4500U launched on 2013-06-03, roughly a year after the 3520M's 2012-06-02, so the newer Haswell design brought architectural efficiency gains that did not translate to universal performance wins.

Users should choose based on their workload profile. Cinebench-centric users should pick the 3520M. Geekbench-centric users should pick the 4500U. Those who need a balance of efficiency and responsiveness in everyday tasks may find the 4500U's advantages in single-core Geekbench more relevant, given its substantial 43.5 percent lead in that specific test.