Intel Core i7-3610QE vs Intel Core i7-3770T Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770T and Intel Core i7-3610QE are near-identical Ivy Bridge parts, but the data separates them clearly. The i7-3770T wins seven of eight head-to-head benchmarks, while the i7-3610QE takes only one. Both CPUs share the same 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, and 160 mm² die size, but the i7-3770T’s higher clock speeds and larger shared cache give it a consistent edge in most tests. The i7-3610QE’s single victory in Geekbench multicore shows that the mobile part can still win under specific workloads. The overall average benchmark scores are close — 1314 for the i7-3770T versus 1297 for the i7-3610QE — but the win distribution is lopsided.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770T wins seven of the eight head-to-head benchmark tests, including all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 runs, plus Geekbench single-core. The only loss is in Geekbench multicore.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the largest win?

A: The i7-3770T’s biggest victory is in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 592 against the i7-3610QE’s 560, a delta of 5.7%. This is the only head-to-head result exceeding a 2% difference.

Q: Are the two CPUs from the same architecture generation?

A: Yes. Both are built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, use the same 22 nm process node, and come from the Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) generation. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The i7-3770T has an average benchmark score of 1314, while the i7-3610QE averages 1297. That is a difference of 17 points, roughly 1.3% higher for the desktop part.

Q: Do both processors have the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both integrate Intel HD 4000 graphics. This is one of the few specifications where the two chips are identical.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i7-3770T boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the i7-3610QE reaches 3.30 GHz. The desktop part also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Ivy Bridge architecture, but they are packaged for different market segments. The i7-3770T is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-3610QE is a mobile processor using Intel Socket G2 (988B). The core design is identical: 4 physical cores, 8 threads, 64 KB L1 cache per core, and 256 KB L2 cache per core. The key architectural difference lies in the shared L3 cache. The i7-3770T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i7-3610QE has only 6 MB. This 2 MB difference is substantial for a generation where cache capacity directly influences multi-threaded performance.

The clock speeds also differ. The i7-3770T runs at a 2.50 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock. The i7-3610QE operates at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. Both chips have a 45 W TDP, which is notable because the mobile part achieves similar performance at the same power envelope while running at lower clocks. The process node is identical at 22 nm, with the same 1,400 million transistors and 160 mm² die size. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Memory support differs in the data: the i7-3770T lists DDR3 support, while the i7-3610QE’s memory type is not specified. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i7-3770T has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3610QE does not list PCIe specifications. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-3770T carries part number SR0PQ, while the i7-3610QE is SR0NP. Both were released on the same date.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern: the i7-3770T wins every Cinebench test by a narrow margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3770T scores 464 against 456, a 1.8% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 65 versus 64, a 1.6% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 1936 for the i7-3770T against 1903, a 1.7% gap, while single-core is 273 versus 268, a 1.9% difference. Cinebench R23 follows the same trend: multicore is 4611 versus 4533 (1.7% ahead), and single-core is 651 versus 639 (1.9% ahead). These are small but consistent wins across the entire Cinebench suite.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench single-core, the i7-3770T wins decisively with 592 versus 560, a 5.7% margin — the largest delta in the entire comparison. However, in Geekbench multicore, the i7-3610QE wins with 1954 against 1916, a 1.9% advantage for the mobile chip. This is the only benchmark where the i7-3610QE outperforms the i7-3770T. The multicore Geekbench result is curious because the i7-3770T has a higher L3 cache and higher clocks, but the i7-3610QE still manages to pull ahead. This suggests that the workload characteristics of Geekbench multicore favor the i7-3610QE’s specific configuration, despite its lower clock speeds and smaller cache.

Overall, the i7-3770T wins seven benchmarks and the i7-3610QE wins one. The average scores reflect this: 1314 for the i7-3770T versus 1297 for the i7-3610QE. The i7-3770T’s percentile ranking is 35, and the i7-3610QE also ranks at the 35th percentile. Both chips sit at the same percentile versus all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier overall.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The socket is different: the i7-3770T uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-3610QE uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). The market segment also differs: the i7-3770T is a desktop processor, and the i7-3610QE is a mobile processor. Base clock speeds differ by 0.20 GHz, with the i7-3770T at 2.50 GHz and the i7-3610QE at 2.30 GHz. Boost clocks differ by 0.40 GHz, with the i7-3770T reaching 3.70 GHz and the i7-3610QE at 3.30 GHz.

The shared L3 cache is a significant difference: the i7-3770T has 8 MB, while the i7-3610QE has 6 MB. Memory support is listed as DDR3 for the i7-3770T, but no memory type is specified for the i7-3610QE. PCIe support is present on the i7-3770T with Gen 3 and 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3610QE has no PCIe specification listed. The part numbers differ: SR0PQ for the i7-3770T and SR0NP for the i7-3610QE.

Several fields are identical between the two: cores (4), threads (8), TDP (45 W), architecture (Ivy Bridge), codename (Ivy Bridge), process node (22 nm), foundry (Intel), transistors (1,400 million), die size (160 mm²), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false), integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), multiplier unlock (false), and release date. Neither has a launch MSRP listed.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-3770T as the stronger processor overall. It wins seven of eight head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test across R15, R20, and R23. Its average benchmark score is higher at 1314 versus 1297. The i7-3770T also holds a clear advantage in Geekbench single-core, winning by 5.7%, which is the largest performance gap in the comparison. For users prioritizing maximum performance across a broad range of workloads, the i7-3770T is the better choice.

The i7-3610QE is not without merit. It wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 1954 against 1916, a 1.9% margin. This is a notable result because it shows the mobile chip can outperform the desktop part in a specific multi-threaded scenario. However, this single win does not offset the i7-3770T’s dominance elsewhere. The i7-3610QE also matches the i7-3770T in percentile ranking, both at the 35th percentile, and the average score difference is small.

For a mobile platform, the i7-3610QE offers competitive performance with the same 45 W TDP as the desktop chip. But for raw benchmark performance, the i7-3770T is the clear winner. The higher clock speeds and larger L3 cache give it an edge that shows up consistently in Cinebench and single-core tests. The only scenario where the i7-3610QE is preferable is when the Geekbench multicore workload is the primary use case, and even then, the margin is narrow.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770T wins in every Cinebench benchmark category: R15 multicore (464 vs 456), R15 single-core (65 vs 64), R20 multicore (1936 vs 1903), R20 single-core (273 vs 268), R23 multicore (4611 vs 4533), and R23 single-core (651 vs 639). It also wins Geekbench single-core with a substantial 5.7% margin (592 vs 560). These results make the i7-3770T the preferred choice for rendering workloads, single-threaded applications, and general desktop tasks where clock speed and cache size are decisive. The 8 MB L3 cache likely contributes to its consistent Cinebench wins, which stress sustained multi-threaded execution.

The i7-3610QE wins only one benchmark: Geekbench multicore (1954 vs 1916). This is a 1.9% advantage and indicates that the mobile processor handles a specific mix of integer and floating-point operations more efficiently than the desktop part. The i7-3610QE’s lower clock speeds and smaller 6 MB L3 cache do not prevent it from taking this single win, which suggests the workload favors its particular memory ordering or power management behavior. For users running Geekbench-style multicore workloads, the i7-3610QE holds a slight edge.

In practical terms, the i7-3770T is the better all-around performer. It wins seven of eight tests, including all rendering benchmarks and single-core tests. The i7-3610QE is a viable alternative only for the narrow case of Geekbench multicore performance. Given that the i7-3770T also has a higher average score (1314 vs 1297) and the same 45 W TDP, the desktop chip is the superior choice in nearly every scenario. The i7-3610QE’s single victory is a statistical outlier rather than a trend.