Intel Core i7-3610QM vs Intel Core i7-3632QM Comparison

Intel Core i7-3610QM and Intel Core i7-3632QM are both 4-core/8-thread Ivy Bridge mobile processors sharing the same Intel Socket G2 (988B) and 22 nm process node. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the i7-3610QM dominates Cinebench tests across the board, while the i7-3632QM counters decisively in Geekbench. The i7-3610QM wins 6 of 8 head-to-head comparisons, yet the overall average benchmark scores are remarkably close — 1244 for the i7-3610QM versus 1219 for the i7-3632QM, a gap of only about 2%. Both sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in similar performance tiers despite their divergent workload-specific results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the consistency of the i7-3610QM's Cinebench advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3610QM scores 440 against 406 for the i7-3632QM, an 8.4% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a nearly identical margin: 62 versus 57, or 8.8% ahead. This pattern holds through newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the i7-3610QM posts 1836 versus 1693, again 8.4% higher, and in R20 single-core it scores 259 against 238, maintaining the 8.8% edge. The R23 results continue the trend: 4373 versus 4033 in multi-core (8.4% delta) and 617 versus 569 in single-core (8.4% delta). The i7-3610QM's clock advantage — 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost versus 2.20 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost — aligns with these consistent Cinebench wins.

The Geekbench results invert the picture entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the i7-3632QM scores 2142 against the i7-3610QM's 1831, a 14.5% margin in favor of the i7-3632QM. The single-core Geekbench test shows a similar reversal: 613 versus 537, a 12.4% lead for the i7-3632QM. These are substantial deltas — larger in percentage terms than the i7-3610QM's Cinebench advantages. The i7-3632QM's wins are not marginal; they represent a fundamentally different performance profile that favors Geekbench's workload characteristics.

Looking at the absolute scores, the i7-3632QM's Geekbench multi-core result of 2142 is higher than any single Cinebench score from either chip, while the i7-3610QM's best multi-core result in R23 is 4373. The average benchmark score calculation — 1244 for the i7-3610QM versus 1219 for the i7-3632QM — masks these workload-specific divergences. The i7-3610QM's six wins come with deltas ranging from 8.4% to 8.8%, while the i7-3632QM's two wins carry deltas of 12.4% and 14.5%. The i7-3632QM wins by larger margins but in fewer tests.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3610QM is the clear winner in rendering-style workloads. All four Cinebench versions — R15, R20, and R23 — in both multi-core and single-core configurations favor the i7-3610QM with consistent 8.4% to 8.8% advantages. Cinebench relies heavily on CPU clock speed and per-core throughput, and the i7-3610QM's higher base and boost clocks translate directly into these wins. The i7-3610QM's transistor count of 1,400 million versus 1,480 million for the i7-3632QM does not appear to hinder its Cinebench performance.

The i7-3632QM wins exclusively in Geekbench, both multi-core and single-core. Its 14.5% multi-core and 12.4% single-core advantages over the i7-3610QM are the largest deltas in the entire head-to-head comparison. Geekbench includes memory-related and integer workloads that may respond differently to the i7-3632QM's configuration. The i7-3632QM's lower TDP of 35 watts versus 45 watts suggests it may sustain different power management behavior, potentially boosting more aggressively in shorter burst workloads typical of Geekbench tests.

For users prioritizing sustained multi-threaded rendering, the i7-3610QM is the stronger choice. For workloads resembling Geekbench's mixed integer and memory patterns, the i7-3632QM shows a decisive edge. The i7-3632QM's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2500 with an average score of 1220 and a delta of -0.1%, indicating the i7-3632QM sits at parity with that desktop chip. The i7-3610QM's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 and Intel Core i3-8109U, both at 1235 average score with 0.7% deltas, placing it slightly ahead of those parts.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Ivy Bridge, 22 nm process, 4 cores, 8 threads, Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core and L2 is 256 KB per core on both. The die size is identical at 160 mm². The transistor counts differ slightly — 1,400 million for the i7-3610QM versus 1,480 million for the i7-3632QM — though both are built by Intel on the same 22 nm node.

Clock speeds are the primary architectural differentiator. The i7-3610QM runs at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, while the i7-3632QM runs at 2.20 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The i7-3610QM thus has a 100 MHz advantage at both base and boost clocks. The TDP differs substantially: 45 watts for the i7-3610QM versus 35 watts for the i7-3632QM. This 10-watt TDP gap likely explains the i7-3632QM's inclusion in thinner or more power-constrained laptops, despite its lower clocks.

Memory support differs in the data: the i7-3610QM lists DDR3 support with dual-channel memory bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3632QM lists dual-channel bus but no memory type or bandwidth figures. Both are non-ECC. The i7-3610QM specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3632QM has no PCIe data listed. Both use the Intel Socket G2 (988B) and are non-unlocked (multiplier locked). The i7-3610QM was released on 2012-04-22 with a launch MSRP of $378; the i7-3632QM followed on 2012-10-18 without MSRP data. The i7-3610QM is marked end-of-life, while the i7-3632QM has no production status listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QM has a 2.30 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Core i7-3632QM has a 2.20 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The i7-3610QM is 100 MHz higher at both settings.

Q: How much faster is the i7-3610QM in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-3610QM scores 4373 versus 4033 for the i7-3632QM, a delta of 8.4% in favor of the i7-3610QM.

Q: Does the i7-3632QM ever beat the i7-3610QM?

A: Yes, in Geekbench. The i7-3632QM scores 2142 multi-core versus 1831 (14.5% advantage) and 613 single-core versus 537 (12.4% advantage).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-3610QM has a 45-watt TDP, while the i7-3632QM has a 35-watt TDP, a 10-watt difference favoring the i7-3632QM for power efficiency.

Q: Do both processors have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes, both feature 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i7-3610QM has an average benchmark score of 1244, compared to 1219 for the i7-3632QM. Both are at the 34th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3610QM | Intel Core i7-3632QM |

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

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 35 W |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,480 million |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | Not listed |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Release Date | 2012-04-22 | 2012-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $378 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR0MN | Not listed |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not listed |

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward choice based on workload. The Intel Core i7-3610QM is the superior processor for Cinebench-style rendering tasks, winning all six Cinebench comparisons with margins between 8.4% and 8.8%. Its higher base and boost clocks — 2.30 GHz and 3.30 GHz versus 2.20 GHz and 3.20 GHz — deliver consistent advantages that scale across R15, R20, and R23 versions. The i7-3610QM also carries a higher TDP of 45 watts versus 35 watts, which may reflect a less constrained power envelope. Its average benchmark score of 1244 edges out the i7-3632QM's 1219, and its nearest rivals (Pentium Gold G6600, i3-8109U) trail by 0.7% in average score.

The Intel Core i7-3632QM wins the Geekbench comparison decisively, with a 14.5% multi-core and 12.4% single-core advantage. These are the largest deltas of any benchmark in the comparison. The i7-3632QM achieves this despite lower clocks, suggesting architectural or power-management differences that favor Geekbench's workload profile. Its 35-watt TDP makes it the more power-efficient choice, and its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-2500, sits at parity with a -0.1% delta. However, the i7-3632QM wins only 2 of 8 head-to-head tests.

For rendering and sustained multi-threaded performance, the i7-3610QM is the pick from the data. For Geekbench-style mixed workloads where the i7-3632QM's 14.5% multi-core lead matters, the i7-3632QM is the better option. The i7-3610QM's six wins and higher average score give it the overall edge, but the i7-3632QM's Geekbench dominance is too large to ignore for users whose applications resemble that benchmark's characteristics. Both processors sit at the 34th percentile, meaning neither is a standout in the broader CPU landscape, but within this pairing the choice hinges entirely on whether Cinebench or Geekbench better represents your target workloads.