Intel Core i7-3635QM vs Intel Core i7-8665UE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a remarkably consistent picture. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-8665UE finishes ahead of the Intel Core i7-3635QM. The margins are narrow, but they are uniform. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i7-8665UE scores 415 against 408 for the i7-3635QM, a delta of 1.7%. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 58 versus 57, a 1.8% advantage. These are not dramatic victories, but they are wins nonetheless.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-8665UE posts 1732 in multicore, while the i7-3635QM manages 1703. That is another 1.7% gap. In single-core R20, the scores are 244 and 240, again a 1.7% difference. The trend continues in Cinebench R23. The i7-8665UE reaches 4124 in multicore, the i7-3635QM trails at 4057, and the delta remains 1.7%. Single-core R23 shows 582 versus 572, a 1.7% edge for the newer chip.

What does this consistency imply? The i7-8665UE does not blow the i7-3635QM out of the water in any single test. Instead, it wins every round by a small but repeatable margin. The data suggests a fundamental efficiency advantage rather than a raw power advantage. The i7-8665UE achieves these scores with a 15 W TDP, while the i7-3635QM operates at 45 W. That is a threefold difference in thermal design power, yet the newer part still comes out ahead. The benchmark results indicate that the i7-8665UE delivers more performance per watt, a critical factor for mobile workloads.

The i7-3635QM does have a higher base clock at 2.40 GHz compared to 1.70 GHz for the i7-8665UE. However, the i7-8665UE boosts to 4.40 GHz, a full 1.0 GHz higher than the i7-3635QM's 3.40 GHz. The single-core tests, where boost clocks matter most, show the i7-8665UE ahead by 1.7% to 1.8%. The multicore tests, which rely more on sustained throughput, also favor the i7-8665UE by 1.7%. The higher base clock of the older chip does not translate into a win in any recorded benchmark.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The i7-8665UE has an average score of 1193, while the i7-3635QM sits at 1170. The i7-8665UE also holds a 33rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, matching the i7-3635QM's percentile. Both chips land in the same performance tier, but the i7-8665UE is consistently at the top of that tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665UE boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-3635QM tops out at 3.40 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each CPU have?

A: The i7-8665UE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-3635QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-8665UE has a TDP of 15 W, whereas the i7-3635QM has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-8665UE scores 4124, beating the i7-3635QM's 4057 by 1.7%.

Q: What integrated graphics do they use?

A: The i7-8665UE features UHD Graphics 620, while the i7-3635QM uses Intel HD 4000.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, both have the multiplier locked, so neither supports overclocking.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i7-8665UE is built on Whiskey Lake, a 14 nm process, while the i7-3635QM uses Ivy Bridge on a 22 nm node. The newer 14 nm process allows for higher transistor density and better power efficiency, which helps explain the i7-8665UE's performance despite its much lower TDP.

The cache hierarchy differs as well. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is larger on the i7-8665UE at 8 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the i7-3635QM. This additional cache can reduce memory latency and improve performance in workloads that fit within the cache.

The integrated graphics are also from different generations. The i7-8665UE carries UHD Graphics 620, while the i7-3635QM has Intel HD 4000. The newer graphics solution is part of the Whiskey Lake platform and benefits from architectural improvements.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-8665UE supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, with a dual-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-3635QM also has a dual-channel memory bus, but the database does not list its memory support or bandwidth. The i7-8665UE also has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3635QM has no PCIe information recorded.

The socket types are different: the i7-8665UE uses Intel BGA 1528, and the i7-3635QM uses Intel BGA 1224. This means they are not interchangeable in a system. The i7-3635QM has a recorded transistor count of 1,480 million and a die size of 160 mm², while the i7-8665UE does not have those figures in the database.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications. The base clock of the i7-8665UE is 1.70 GHz, while the i7-3635QM runs at 2.40 GHz. The boost clock flips the comparison: the i7-8665UE reaches 4.40 GHz, and the i7-3635QM stops at 3.40 GHz. The TDP is a major differentiator, with the i7-8665UE at 15 W and the i7-3635QM at 45 W.

The process node is another clear difference: 14 nm for the i7-8665UE versus 22 nm for the i7-3635QM. The L3 cache is 8 MB on the i7-8665UE and 6 MB on the i7-3635QM. Memory support is listed for the i7-8665UE as DDR3 and DDR4, while the i7-3635QM has no memory support data. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the i7-8665UE at 38.4 GB/s. The i7-8665UE has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i7-3635QM has no PCIe data.

The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 620 on the i7-8665UE versus Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3635QM. The release dates are far apart, with the i7-8665UE launching in 2018 and the i7-3635QM in 2012. The i7-8665UE has a launch MSRP of $409, while the i7-3635QM has no recorded launch price. The i7-3635QM has a transistor count of 1,480 million and a die size of 160 mm², neither of which is listed for the i7-8665UE.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the i7-8665UE wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. It takes the multicore and single-core versions of R15, R20, and R23. The margins are consistent, ranging from 1.7% to 1.8%. This makes the i7-8665UE the clear choice for any workload that relies on Cinebench-style rendering or CPU compute.

The i7-3635QM does not win a single recorded benchmark. However, it does have a higher base clock of 2.40 GHz, which could theoretically benefit workloads that run at a constant frequency without boosting. The database does not include any tests that capture this scenario, so the practical advantage remains unmeasured. The i7-3635QM also has a larger die size and a recorded transistor count, but these are physical characteristics, not performance metrics.

For mobile users, the i7-8665UE's 15 W TDP is a significant advantage. It allows for thinner, lighter laptops with longer battery life, while still delivering slightly better performance than the 45 W i7-3635QM. The i7-3635QM, with its higher TDP, would require more robust cooling and a larger battery, making it less suitable for ultraportable designs.

The i7-8665UE also benefits from newer memory support, including DDR4, and a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. This can improve performance in memory-intensive applications, though the recorded benchmarks do not isolate this factor.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for the recorded workloads. The Intel Core i7-8665UE outperforms the Intel Core i7-3635QM in every Cinebench test, with margins of 1.7% to 1.8%. It achieves this while consuming only one-third of the power, as indicated by the 15 W versus 45 W TDP. The i7-8665UE also has a newer architecture, a smaller process node, more L3 cache, and support for DDR4 memory.

The i7-3635QM is not without its merits. It has a higher base clock, which could be useful in specific scenarios, and it has a recorded transistor count and die size that suggest a more complex physical design. However, none of these translate into a benchmark win in the database.

For anyone choosing between these two processors, the i7-8665UE is the better option based on the recorded data. It wins all measured performance tests, uses less power, and comes from a newer generation. The i7-3635QM, while still a capable processor, falls behind in every recorded metric. The verdict is straightforward: the i7-8665UE is the superior choice for the workloads represented in the database.