Intel Core i7-3615QE vs Intel Core i7-3820QM Comparison

Intel Core i7-3615QE and Intel Core i7-3820QM are both quad-core mobile processors from the Ivy Bridge generation, launched on the same date. They share the same 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, 160 mm² die size, dual-channel memory bus, and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. Both carry a 45 W thermal design power and are locked from multiplier adjustment. The key differences appear in cache size, socket, and clock speeds, yet the recorded benchmark scores are nearly identical across all tested workloads. This analysis walks through the recorded data to clarify where each part holds an edge, if any, and what that means for a buyer choosing between them.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head results show a split that is mostly symbolic rather than performance-driven. The Intel Core i7-3615QE is credited with four wins out of six recorded comparisons, but every one of those wins is a tie in raw score. The Intel Core i7-3820QM takes two wins, also by negligible margins. The database records the wins based on the assigned winner field, but the delta percentages tell the real story: every single comparison is within 0.1% or exactly zero.

For single-threaded tasks, both processors deliver identical scores. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both score 67. In Cinebench R20 single-core, both score 283. In Cinebench R23 single-core, both score 674. The i7-3615QE is marked as the winner in each of these, but the scores are exactly equal. There is no measurable advantage for either chip in lightly threaded workloads.

For multi-threaded tasks, the i7-3820QM shows a microscopic edge. Cinebench R20 multi-core gives the i7-3820QM a 2006 against the i7-3615QE's 2005, a difference of one point. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives the i7-3820QM a 4777 against the i7-3615QE's 4774, a difference of three points. The delta percentage for R23 is -0.1%, meaning the i7-3820QM is 0.1% ahead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, both score exactly 481, a tie.

The practical takeaway is that neither processor wins a meaningful workload category. The i7-3615QE claims the single-core wins by virtue of identical scores, while the i7-3820QM claims the multi-core wins by single-digit point differences. A user running either chip would not perceive a difference in rendering, compiling, or everyday application responsiveness.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Ivy Bridge architecture, codename Ivy Bridge, from the same generation, Core i7 (Ivy Bridge). The process node is identical at 22 nm, the transistor count is the same at 1,400 million, and the die size is the same at 160 mm². Both use dual-channel memory and lack ECC support. Both integrate Intel HD 4000 graphics. The fundamental silicon is the same.

The main architectural divergence is the last-level cache. The i7-3615QE has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-3820QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. That is a 2 MB difference, or roughly 33% more L3 on the i7-3820QM. The L1 and L2 caches are identical per core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 for each of the four cores.

The sockets differ. The i7-3615QE uses Intel BGA 1023, while the i7-3820QM uses Intel BGA 1224. This affects physical compatibility with motherboards, but both are ball-grid array packages, meaning they are soldered rather than socketed. Neither processor is socketed in a user-replaceable manner.

Clock speeds also differ. The i7-3615QE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i7-3820QM has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. That gives the i7-3820QM a 0.40 GHz advantage in both base and boost clocks. Despite this, the benchmark scores do not reflect a corresponding performance gap.

The part numbers are different: SR0NC for the i7-3615QE and SR0MK for the i7-3820QM. The release date is identical: 2012-04-28. Both are mobile market segment parts. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests. The first test, Cinebench R15 multi-core, shows both processors at 481 points. The winner is listed as the i7-3615QE, but the delta is 0%. There is no performance difference.

Cinebench R15 single-core also shows a tie at 67 points. Again, the i7-3615QE is the assigned winner with a 0% delta. A single-core score of 67 is low in absolute terms, placing these chips well below modern processors, but the comparison here is between two parts that perform identically.

Cinebench R20 multi-core gives the i7-3820QM a 2006 against the i7-3615QE's 2005. The winner is the i7-3820QM, with a delta of 0%. That one-point difference is within measurement noise. The database records it as a win, but it holds no practical significance.

Cinebench R20 single-core is another exact tie at 283 points. The i7-3615QE is the winner with a 0% delta. For single-threaded rendering, both chips are indistinguishable.

Cinebench R23 multi-core gives the i7-3820QM a 4777 against the i7-3615QE's 4774. The delta is -0.1%, meaning the i7-3820QM is ahead by one-tenth of one percent. This is the largest margin in any recorded test, and it is still negligible.

Cinebench R23 single-core ties at 674 points. The i7-3615QE is the winner with a 0% delta. Across all six tests, the maximum delta is 0.1%. The average benchmark score for the i7-3615QE is 1381, while the i7-3820QM has an average of 1366. That puts the i7-3615QE slightly higher in aggregate, but both parts sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The i7-3820QM has additional Geekbench results not recorded for the i7-3615QE: a multi-core score of 2041 and a single-core score of 601. These are not head-to-head comparisons because the i7-3615QE lacks corresponding Geekbench entries. The presence of these scores does not indicate a win; it simply reflects more data points for the i7-3820QM.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i7-3615QE has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Do the two processors perform differently in multi-core workloads?

A: The recorded data shows nearly identical results. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-3820QM scores 4777 versus the i7-3615QE's 4774, a difference of 0.1%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the difference is one point (2006 versus 2005). In Cinebench R15 multi-core, both score 481.

Q: Are the clock speeds different?

A: Yes. The i7-3820QM has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i7-3615QE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i7-3820QM runs 0.40 GHz higher in both modes.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i7-3615QE uses Intel BGA 1023, while the i7-3820QM uses Intel BGA 1224. Both are ball-grid array packages, so they are soldered onto the motherboard.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i7-3615QE has an average benchmark score of 1381, while the i7-3820QM has an average of 1366. Both sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the i7-3820QM wins by a noticeable margin?

A: No. The largest margin in any head-to-head test is 0.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. All other tests are ties or one-point differences.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded fields: base clock, boost clock, socket, L3 cache, and part number. The i7-3820QM has a base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 2.30 GHz for the i7-3615QE. The boost clock is 3.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. The socket is Intel BGA 1224 for the i7-3820QM and Intel BGA 1023 for the i7-3615QE. The L3 cache is 8 MB for the i7-3820QM and 6 MB for the i7-3615QE. The part numbers are SR0MK and SR0NC, respectively.

All other specification fields are identical: 4 cores, 8 threads, 45 W TDP, 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, 160 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, dual-channel memory, no ECC, Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, mobile market segment, Ivy Bridge architecture, Ivy Bridge codename, Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) generation, and release date of 2012-04-28. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data shows that the Intel Core i7-3615QE and Intel Core i7-3820QM are functionally equivalent in benchmark performance despite their specification differences. The i7-3820QM has a higher base and boost clock and a larger 8 MB L3 cache, yet this does not translate into a meaningful score advantage. The largest recorded delta is 0.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which falls within normal run-to-run variance.

For a user prioritizing single-threaded performance, the i7-3615QE is the assigned winner in all three single-core head-to-head tests, but the scores are identical to the i7-3820QM (67 in R15, 283 in R20, 674 in R23). There is no real winner.

For a user prioritizing multi-threaded performance, the i7-3820QM takes the R20 and R23 multi-core tests by one and three points respectively, while the R15 multi-core test is a tie. Again, no real winner.

The i7-3615QE has a slightly higher average benchmark score (1381 versus 1366) and sits at the same 36th percentile. The i7-3820QM has more Geekbench data points, but those are not comparable to the i7-3615QE.

The deciding factor in the database is not performance. It is the socket. If a system requires Intel BGA 1023, the i7-3615QE is the only option. If a system requires Intel BGA 1224, the i7-3820QM is the only option. The benchmark results indicate that either chip will deliver the same user experience in Cinebench workloads. The higher clock speeds and larger cache of the i7-3820QM remain theoretical advantages that do not appear in the recorded scores. A buyer should select based on motherboard compatibility rather than performance expectations, because the measurements show no appreciable difference.