Intel Core i7-3615QM vs Intel Core i7-3630QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a clear split between these two Ivy Bridge mobile processors. The Intel Core i7-3615QM wins the majority of the head-to-head comparisons, taking 6 out of 8 tests, while the Intel Core i7-3630QM counters with decisive victories in the Geekbench suite. The overall average benchmark score favors the i7-3630QM at 1289 versus 1260 for the i7-3615QM, a difference of roughly 2.3% in aggregate.

The i7-3615QM's wins are consistent across all three Cinebench versions, though the margins are narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3615QM scores 442 against 439 for the i7-3630QM, a 0.7% advantage. Single-core R15 shows 62 versus 61, a 1.6% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 1845 versus 1832 (0.7% lead), and single-core is 260 versus 258 (0.8% lead). The pattern repeats in Cinebench R23: multicore 4393 versus 4364 (0.7% lead), and single-core 620 versus 616 (0.6% lead). These are consistent, repeatable small wins for the i7-3615QM across rendering workloads.

The i7-3630QM's wins are far more dramatic. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 2111 against 1907, a 10.7% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test shows 633 versus 554, a 14.3% lead. These are substantial gaps, suggesting the i7-3630QM has a significant advantage in the specific workloads that Geekbench exercises, despite losing all Cinebench tests by small margins.

When placed against the wider database, the i7-3630QM sits at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-3615QM sits at the 34th percentile. Their nearest rivals reflect this close positioning. The i7-3630QM's closest competitor is the AMD Opteron 6272 with an average score of 1288, a 0.1% delta, followed by the Intel Core i5-4670R and i5-3570 at 1286. The i7-3615QM's nearest rival is the AMD Athlon 200GE at 1261, essentially a tie, with the Intel Core i3-7100T at 1258 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Xeon W-2102 at 1264 (0.3% ahead).

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a workload-dependent choice. The i7-3615QM dominates Cinebench rendering benchmarks across the board, from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multicore tests. If the target application relies on Cinebench-style rendering performance, the i7-3615QM is consistently ahead, albeit by less than 2% in every instance. The consistency of these wins across three Cinebench versions strengthens the case: this is not a one-off result but a repeatable pattern.

The i7-3630QM wins decisively in Geekbench, both single-core and multicore. The 14.3% single-core lead and the 10.7% multicore lead are the largest margins recorded in any of the head-to-head tests. These results indicate that the i7-3630QM has a meaningful performance advantage in general-purpose integer and floating-point workloads as measured by Geekbench, which often reflects real-world application responsiveness better than sustained rendering loads.

The overall average benchmark score gives the i7-3630QM the edge at 1289 versus 1260, but this aggregate figure is influenced strongly by the two large Geekbench wins. For users prioritizing rendering throughput, the i7-3615QM's six-test winning streak is the more relevant signal. For users prioritizing general application performance, the i7-3630QM's Geekbench dominance carries more weight.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3630QM has an average benchmark score of 1289, while the Intel Core i7-3615QM scores 1260. This places the i7-3630QM at the 35th percentile of all CPUs and the i7-3615QM at the 34th percentile.

Q: How large is the Geekbench multicore gap between the two?

A: The i7-3630QM scores 2111 in Geekbench multicore versus 1907 for the i7-3615QM, a 10.7% advantage. This is the largest multicore margin recorded in any head-to-head test between the two processors.

Q: Does the i7-3615QM win any test by a large margin?

A: No. The i7-3615QM's largest win is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 62 versus 61, a 1.6% margin. All other wins are between 0.6% and 0.8%.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor in the database?

A: For the i7-3630QM, the nearest rival is the AMD Opteron 6272 with an average score of 1288 (0.1% delta), followed by the Intel Core i5-4670R and i5-3570 at 1286. For the i7-3615QM, the nearest rival is the AMD Athlon 200GE at 1261 (0% delta), followed by the Intel Core i3-7100T at 1258 (0.2% delta).

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Geekbench score?

A: The i7-3630QM scores 633 in Geekbench single-core, while the i7-3615QM scores 554. This gives the i7-3630QM a 14.3% lead, the largest margin in any test between the two.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-3615QM scores 4393 versus 4364 for the i7-3630QM, a 0.7% advantage. This is consistent with the Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore results, where the i7-3615QM also leads by 0.7%.

Specification Differences

The two processors share the same core and thread configuration: 4 cores and 8 threads each. Both have a 45 W TDP. The base clock differs slightly, with the i7-3630QM running at 2.40 GHz and the i7-3615QM at 2.30 GHz. Boost clock also favors the i7-3630QM at 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz for the i7-3615QM.

The socket is different: the i7-3630QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i7-3615QM uses Intel BGA 1224. This is a critical distinction for system compatibility. The i7-3630QM supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and has a stated memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i7-3615QM also uses dual-channel DDR3, but the database does not record a memory bandwidth figure or explicit memory support type for it.

The i7-3630QM lists PCIe support as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while no PCIe information is recorded for the i7-3615QM. The i7-3630QM has a recorded launch MSRP of $378; no launch MSRP is recorded for the i7-3615QM. The i7-3630QM is marked as end-of-life in production status, while no production status is recorded for the i7-3615QM. Release dates differ: the i7-3630QM was released on 2012-09-29, and the i7-3615QM on 2012-04-28. Part numbers are SR0UX for the i7-3630QM and SR0MP for the i7-3615QM.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture, using the 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The die size is identical at 160 mm². Transistor count differs slightly: the i7-3630QM has 1,480 million transistors, while the i7-3615QM has 1,400 million.

Cache organization is identical. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both integrate Intel HD 4000 graphics. Both are unlocked multipliers set to false, meaning neither supports overclocking via multiplier adjustment. Both target the mobile market segment.

The integrated graphics solution is the same, which means any performance difference in graphics-related tasks would come from other factors such as clock speeds or memory configuration. The transistor count difference of 80 million is notable, though it does not directly translate to a benchmark advantage in the recorded results.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the i7-3630QM is the stronger overall processor, driven primarily by its substantial Geekbench victories. The 14.3% single-core and 10.7% multicore leads are the defining margins in this comparison, and they push the average benchmark score to 1289 versus 1260. For general-purpose computing, the i7-3630QM is the clear choice.

However, the i7-3615QM is not without merit. It wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, all in the Cinebench family. The margins are small, ranging from 0.6% to 1.6%, but they are consistent across R15, R20, and R23. For rendering workloads that mirror Cinebench's test methodology, the i7-3615QM delivers slightly better results. The i7-3630QM's higher base and boost clocks (2.40 GHz and 3.40 GHz versus 2.30 GHz and 3.30 GHz) do not translate into Cinebench wins, which suggests the i7-3615QM has some efficiency advantage in those specific workloads.

The socket difference is a practical consideration. The i7-3630QM uses Socket G2 (988B), while the i7-3615QM uses BGA 1224, which may limit the latter to specific motherboard designs. The i7-3630QM also has recorded PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes, a feature absent from the i7-3615QM's recorded data. The i7-3630QM's later release date (2012-09-29 versus 2012-04-28) and higher transistor count (1,480 million versus 1,400 million) further support its position as the more refined implementation.

For buyers choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload. Rendering-focused users who prioritize Cinebench scores should select the i7-3615QM, which wins every rendering test. Users who prioritize general application performance, as measured by Geekbench, should select the i7-3630QM, which wins those tests by double-digit margins. The i7-3630QM's higher average benchmark score and superior Geekbench results make it the recommended pick for most scenarios, with the i7-3615QM reserved for rendering-specific use cases.