Intel Core i7-3632QM vs Intel Core i7-8665UE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-8665UE across every head-to-head benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8665UE scores 415 against the i7-3632QM's 406, a 2.2% lead. The single-core R15 result is tighter: 58 versus 57, a 1.7% advantage for the newer chip. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-8665UE posts 1732 multi-core versus 1693, a 2.3% margin, and 244 single-core versus 238, a 2.5% edge. In the most demanding test, Cinebench R23, the i7-8665UE scores 4124 multi-core and 582 single-core, while the i7-3632QM reaches 4033 and 569, respectively; both margins sit at 2.2%.

The pattern is consistent: the i7-8665UE wins all six head-to-head comparisons, though every victory is narrow, ranging from 1.7% to 2.5%. No benchmark in the database shows the i7-3632QM ahead. The largest single margin is the 2.5% gap in Cinebench R20 single-core, while the smallest is the 1.7% difference in R15 single-core. These are modest but uniform gains, indicating the i7-8665UE holds a steady edge across both lightly threaded and fully loaded workloads.

It is importantly the absolute score differences are small in raw terms. In R15 multi-core, the gap is just nine points; in R23 multi-core, it is 91 points. The i7-8665UE's advantage is real but not transformative, and the overall average benchmark scores reflect this: the i7-3632QM averages 1219, while the i7-8665UE averages 1193. That puts the older chip slightly higher in the aggregate, despite losing every direct comparison. The discrepancy arises because the i7-3632QM has additional Geekbench results (2142 multi-core, 613 single-core) that are not present for the i7-8665UE, which only has Cinebench data. Those Geekbench figures lift the i7-3632QM's average, even though its Cinebench scores trail.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8665UE wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is straightforward: it is the better performer in all tested scenarios. For multi-threaded tasks such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or batch processing, the i7-8665UE's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 4124 puts it 2.2% ahead of the i7-3632QM's 4033. For single-threaded workloads like web browsing, office applications, or legacy software that relies on one core, the i7-8665UE also leads, with a 582 R23 single-core score versus 569.

The i7-3632QM does not have a single win in the head-to-head data. However, its average benchmark score of 1219 is 2.2% higher than the i7-8665UE's 1193, which means that in the broader database context, the older chip sits at a slightly higher percentile. The i7-3632QM ranks in the 34th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-8665UE ranks in the 33rd. This is a reversal driven entirely by the Geekbench results. For users who prioritize Geekbench-style synthetic loads, the i7-3632QM may appear competitive, but in the Cinebench family, the i7-8665UE is consistently ahead.

For practical purposes, the i7-8665UE is the pick for any workload that stresses sustained performance, whether that is compiled code, media encoding, or scientific simulations. The i7-3632QM's only claim to a niche is its higher average score, which stems from a benchmark suite that the i7-8665UE did not run. If a user relies exclusively on Geekbench, the i7-3632QM looks slightly stronger, but the head-to-head Cinebench results tell the opposite story.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by six years of Intel design. The i7-3632QM uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, while the i7-8665UE uses Whiskey Lake on a 14 nm node. Ivy Bridge is built on a 22 nm planar process with 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. Whiskey Lake is a 14 nm design, though the database does not list its transistor count or die size. The process shrink from 22 nm to 14 nm is significant, enabling higher clock speeds and better power efficiency, even if the core count remains identical.

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the difference is not in parallelism but in per-core efficiency. The i7-3632QM has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost of 3.20 GHz, while the i7-8665UE has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz (the database records it in MHz, which is 1.70 GHz) and a boost of 4.40 GHz. The newer chip's boost clock is 1.20 GHz higher, which explains its single-core advantage. The base clock is lower on the i7-8665UE, but the boost ceiling is much higher, and Whiskey Lake's newer microarchitecture extracts more instructions per clock.

Cache allocation also differs. The i7-3632QM carries 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-8665UE has 8 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, so the extra 2 MB of L3 is the only cache difference. The larger L3 helps the i7-8665UE in workloads that reuse data across cores, contributing to its multi-core edge. Memory support is another split: the i7-8665UE supports DDR3 and DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-3632QM's memory support is not listed in the database, though it does use dual-channel memory. The i7-8665UE also has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-3632QM's PCIe configuration is not recorded.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the i7-3632QM pairs with Intel HD 4000, while the i7-8665UE uses UHD Graphics 620. The newer GPU architecture is more efficient and supports modern display outputs, though the database does not provide frame-rate or feature comparisons. Both chips are mobile parts, but the i7-8665UE is marked end-of-life, while the i7-3632QM's production status is not listed.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3632QM | Intel Core i7-8665UE |

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

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 1700.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Whiskey Lake |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Whiskey Lake-U |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,480 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | Not listed | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 38.4 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Release Date | 2012-10-18 | 2018-09-30 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $409 |

| Part Number | Not listed | SRF9W |

The most striking differences are TDP and boost clock. The i7-8665UE draws 15 W versus the i7-3632QM's 35 W, a 57% reduction in thermal design power, yet delivers a higher boost clock (4.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz). This is a direct result of the 14 nm process and Whiskey Lake's efficiency improvements. The socket change from Intel Socket G2 (988B) to BGA 1528 reflects the move from a replaceable mobile CPU to a soldered-down design, which is typical for ultra-portable laptops. The i7-8665UE also has a listed launch MSRP of $409, while the i7-3632QM's launch price is not recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665UE boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-3632QM reaches 3.20 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i7-8665UE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, and the i7-3632QM has 6 MB.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-8665UE is rated at 15 W, while the i7-3632QM is rated at 35 W.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-8665UE scores 4124 versus 4033 for the i7-3632QM, a 2.2% lead.

Q: Does the i7-3632QM have a higher average benchmark score?

A: Yes, the i7-3632QM averages 1219, compared to 1193 for the i7-8665UE, though the i7-8665UE wins every head-to-head test.

Q: What process nodes are used?

A: The i7-3632QM is built on Intel's 22 nm process, and the i7-8665UE is built on Intel's 14 nm process.