Intel Core i7-3630QM vs Intel Core i7-3770T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two Ivy Bridge processors. Across six Cinebench tests, the desktop-oriented Intel Core i7-3770T takes a consistent lead, while the mobile Intel Core i7-3630QM counters with two wins in the Geekbench suite.

Starting with multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3770T records 464 in Cinebench R15 multicore against 439 for the i7-3630QM, a 5.7% advantage. That same margin repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the desktop chip scores 1936 versus 1832, again a 5.7% gap. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7-3770T posts 4611 compared to 4364, maintaining precisely the same 5.7% delta. These are not isolated results; the pattern is remarkably consistent across all three generations of the Cinebench test.

Single-core Cinebench results follow the same trajectory. The i7-3770T leads in Cinebench R15 singlecore with 65 points to 61, a 6.6% margin. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows 273 versus 258, a 5.8% difference. Cinebench R23 singlecore closes the set at 651 against 616, a 5.7% edge. The consistency of these deltas across both single and multi-threaded tests points to a fundamental clock-speed advantage for the desktop part rather than any workload-specific quirk.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-3630QM scores 2111 against 1916 for the i7-3770T, a 9.2% victory for the mobile chip. Geekbench singlecore also favors the i7-3630QM, with 633 points versus 592, a 6.5% margin. This is a notable divergence: the same two processors, sharing the same Ivy Bridge architecture, produce opposite winners depending on the benchmark suite.

The overall win count is 6 to 2 in favor of the i7-3770T. But the aggregate benchmark scores tell a closer story. The i7-3770T averages 1314 across all recorded tests, while the i7-3630QM averages 1289. That is a difference of roughly 25 points, or about 1.9%. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite their divergent test-by-test results.

Nearest rival data reinforces this positioning. The i7-3770T sits within 0.5% of the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U, Intel Core i5-4570R, Intel Celeron G6900E, and Intel Celeron G6900T in average score. The i7-3630QM is similarly clustered near the AMD Opteron 6272, Intel Core i5-4670R, Intel Core i5-3570, and Intel Core i5-3570K, with deltas no larger than 0.3% in either direction. Neither chip dramatically outperforms its nearest neighbors; both are firmly mid-pack parts for their era.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process at Intel's own foundry. They share the same die size of 160 mm² and the same 4-core, 8-thread configuration. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both support DDR3 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. Integrated graphics are identical as well, with both carrying Intel HD 4000.

The differences begin with transistor count. The i7-3770T contains 1,400 million transistors, while the i7-3630QM contains 1,480 million. That is an 80 million transistor difference, a roughly 5.7% higher count on the mobile part. Despite this, both chips share the same physical die area, suggesting the additional transistors in the i7-3630QM are allocated to features other than core logic.

Cache configuration also diverges. Both parts feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, differs: the i7-3770T has 8 MB shared, while the i7-3630QM has 6 MB shared. That gives the desktop chip 2 MB more last-level cache, which may contribute to its consistent lead in Cinebench workloads.

Clock speeds favor the i7-3770T as well. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i7-3630QM runs at a 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The desktop part holds a 0.10 GHz advantage at base and a 0.30 GHz advantage at boost. Both processors are rated at a 45 W TDP, which is notable given the i7-3630QM's mobile segment classification.

Socket and platform differences are substantial. The i7-3770T uses Intel Socket 1155 and is classified as a desktop part. The i7-3630QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B) and is classified as mobile. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. The i7-3630QM lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; no comparable figure is recorded for the i7-3770T.

Release timing separates the two by about five months. The i7-3770T launched on 2012-04-28, while the i7-3630QM followed on 2012-09-29. The mobile chip is marked as end-of-life in the database; the desktop part has no production status recorded. The i7-3630QM carries a launch MSRP of $378 and part number SR0UX, while the i7-3770T has no recorded launch price and uses part number SR0PQ.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770T is the stronger choice for Cinebench-style rendering workloads. Its 5.7% lead in every Cinebench multicore test, from R15 through R23, indicates a consistent advantage in sustained multi-threaded compute. The single-core Cinebench results are even more decisive, with margins ranging from 5.7% to 6.6%. For users running rendering tasks, video encoding, or any software that behaves like the Cinebench suite, the desktop chip delivers measurable gains.

The extra 2 MB of L3 cache and higher boost clock are the likely contributors to this pattern. The i7-3770T's 3.70 GHz boost clock is 0.30 GHz higher than the i7-3630QM's 3.40 GHz, and that raw frequency advantage shows up directly in the single-core numbers. The 8 MB shared L3 cache versus 6 MB may help in workloads with larger working sets that benefit from additional cache capacity.

The i7-3630QM wins in Geekbench, both single-core and multi-core. Its Geekbench multicore score of 2111 is 9.2% higher than the i7-3770T's 1916, and its single-core score of 633 beats 592 by 6.5%. This suggests the mobile part excels in the specific mix of integer, floating-point, and memory operations that Geekbench exercises. The higher transistor count, 1,480 million versus 1,400 million, may play a role here, possibly enabling additional execution resources or improved memory handling that Geekbench rewards.

For users whose primary applications resemble Geekbench's workload mix, the i7-3630QM is the better performer despite its lower clock speeds. The Geekbench wins are not marginal; a 9.2% multicore advantage is substantial and reverses the overall trend set by Cinebench.

In terms of platform flexibility, the i7-3770T offers desktop Socket 1155 compatibility, which typically allows for a wider range of motherboards, cooling solutions, and upgrade paths. The i7-3630QM's Socket G2 (988B) is a mobile socket, meaning it is generally found in laptops or all-in-one systems where upgrades are limited. The i7-3630QM also carries an end-of-life production status, which may affect long-term availability.

The i7-3770T's launch date of April 2012 makes it the earlier release. The i7-3630QM's September 2012 launch came later, and its recorded launch MSRP of $378 provides a reference point for its original market positioning. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is constrained on both platforms.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770T boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-3630QM boosts to 3.40 GHz. The desktop part holds a 0.30 GHz advantage.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i7-3770T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-3630QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which chip won more benchmark comparisons?

A: The i7-3770T won 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The i7-3630QM won 2, both in the Geekbench suite.

Q: Are both processors built on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process. They share the same die size of 160 mm² and the same 4-core, 8-thread configuration.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i7-3770T averages 1314 across all tests, while the i7-3630QM averages 1289. The difference is approximately 25 points in favor of the desktop part.

Q: Do both processors have the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both integrate Intel HD 4000 graphics. Neither supports ECC memory, and both use dual-channel DDR3 memory.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear but nuanced conclusion. The Intel Core i7-3770T is the better processor for Cinebench-style rendering and general desktop compute, winning all six Cinebench tests with margins between 5.7% and 6.6%. Its higher boost clock and larger L3 cache give it a measurable edge in these workloads, and its desktop Socket 1155 platform offers broader system compatibility.

The Intel Core i7-3630QM is the better processor for Geekbench-style workloads, winning both single-core and multi-core tests with margins of 6.5% and 9.2% respectively. Its higher transistor count appears to provide benefits that the benchmark suite detects, even though its clock speeds are lower.

For users prioritizing rendering performance, the i7-3770T is the straightforward pick. For users whose applications align with Geekbench's measurement methodology, the i7-3630QM delivers superior results. Both sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only about 1.9%, placing them in the same performance class.

The i7-3630QM's end-of-life status and mobile socket make it less suitable for new desktop builds, while the i7-3770T's lack of a recorded production status leaves its availability open. Neither chip offers an unlocked multiplier, so enthusiasts seeking overclocking should look elsewhere. The decision ultimately rests on which benchmark suite best represents the intended workload.