Intel Core i7-3615QM

The Intel Core i7-3615QM is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor from the Ivy Bridge generation, manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, within a 45 W TDP envelope. Benchmark data places this chip at the 35th percentile of all CPUs tested, with an average benchmark score of 1260, indicating it sits in the lower-mid range of performance for its era.

Benchmark Performance

The data shows a clear separation between multi-threaded and single-threaded capabilities. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 4391 points in multi-core and 619 points in single-core. This represents a multi-core to single-core ratio of roughly 7.1:1, which is typical for a quad-core part with Hyper-Threading. The Cinebench R20 results follow a similar pattern, with 1844 multi-core and 259 single-core points, while Cinebench R15 shows 442 and 62 points respectively. Geekbench scores are lower overall, at 1907 multi-core and 554 single-core.

Interpreting these numbers relative to the average benchmark score of 1260, the chip performs exactly at the midpoint of its nearest rivals. The deltaPct values against these rivals are essentially zero in most cases. The i7-3615QM matches the Intel Core i3-7100T, the Intel Core i5-3570K, and the AMD Athlon 200GE, all with a 0% difference in average score. Against the Intel Core i5-4670T, the i7-3615QM trails by only 0.4%, which is a negligible margin given typical run-to-run variance.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 4391 suggests the processor can handle moderately parallel workloads, but it is not competitive with modern desktop parts. The single-core score of 619 in the same benchmark highlights the architectural age; Ivy Bridge's per-core throughput is significantly lower than later generations. The 35th percentile ranking reinforces this, meaning roughly two-thirds of all tested CPUs outperform it on average.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-7100T: The i7-3615QM matches the i3-7100T's average score of 1260 exactly, with a 0% delta. This is notable because the i3-7100T is a newer dual-core part with higher single-thread performance, but the i7-3615QM compensates with double the core count and threading. In multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3615QM's 4 cores and 8 threads provide a clear advantage, while the i3-7100T would win in lightly threaded scenarios.

Intel Core i5-3570K: This desktop rival also ties the i7-3615QM at 1260 average score with a 0% delta. The i5-3570K is a similarly aged quad-core without Hyper-Threading, running at higher clocks. The i7-3615QM's extra threads allow it to keep pace despite a lower clock speed, making the two effectively interchangeable in aggregate performance. The mobile chip achieves parity with a desktop part from the same generation, which highlights the efficiency of the 22 nm process.

AMD Athlon 200GE: The Athlon 200GE scores 1261, just one point above the i7-3615QM, representing a 0% delta. This AMD part is a modern dual-core with simultaneous multithreading, so it has far fewer threads. The i7-3615QM's 8 threads provide a substantial multi-core advantage, but the Athlon 200GE's newer architecture likely gives it better single-thread efficiency, resulting in a wash on average benchmarks.

Intel Core i5-4670T: The i5-4670T leads this group with an average score of 1266, putting the i7-3615QM 0.4% behind. This is the only rival with a non-zero delta, though the difference is within noise. The i5-4670T is a Haswell-era quad-core with a lower TDP, and its slight edge suggests better per-clock efficiency. For the i7-3615QM, this gap is immaterial in real-world use.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark results indicate this processor is best suited for legacy mobile systems where multi-threaded throughput is more important than raw single-core speed. For users running Cinebench R23 multi-core workloads, the 4391 score demonstrates reasonable parallel scaling across 8 threads, making it adequate for occasional video encoding or 3D rendering on a laptop. However, the 619 single-core score means everyday tasks like web browsing, office documents, or light programming will feel dated compared to any modern processor.

Gaming is a marginal use case. The integrated Intel HD 4000 GPU handles basic titles, but the CPU's single-thread performance, as evidenced by the 62-point Cinebench R15 single-core score, will bottleneck modern game engines that rely heavily on one or two threads. Older games from the 2012-2015 era, matching the processor's release timeframe, would run acceptably at lower settings. For content creation, the multi-core scores suggest it can manage photo editing and 1080p video rendering, though export times will be significantly longer than on newer hardware.

This chip is not for users seeking new performance. The 35th percentile ranking makes it a poor choice for any current demanding workload. It is more appropriate for someone repairing or upgrading an old laptop, where the goal is to match original performance rather than exceed it. Office productivity with spreadsheets, email, and word processing will function without issue, as these tasks rarely stress even this older quad-core design.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-3615QM uses the Intel BGA 1224 socket, which means it is soldered directly to the motherboard. This eliminates any possibility of user-level socket upgrades; the processor is permanently attached to the laptop's board. The platform is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture, which is a 22 nm design manufactured by Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die.

Memory support is dual-channel, though the specific memory types and speeds are not listed in the data. ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics are provided by Intel HD 4000, which shares the system memory for its frame buffer. The processor includes 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache size is modest by modern standards but was typical for quad-core mobile parts of this generation.

The production status is not specified, and the release date is April 28, 2012. Given the BGA packaging, any upgrade path requires replacing the entire motherboard or system. Users should verify that the laptop's BIOS supports the specific SR0MP part number before considering a motherboard swap, though this is rarely practical. The platform lacks PCIe details in the data, so expansion capabilities are unknown, but BGA laptops typically offer limited or no discrete PCIe slots.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Core i7-3615QM have?

A: It has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multi-threading for parallel workloads.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of this processor?

A: The boost clock is 3.30 GHz, while the base clock is 2.30 GHz.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The memory bus is dual-channel.

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The average benchmark score is 1260, placing it at the 35th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What integrated graphics does the i7-3615QM include?

A: It includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The divergence between single-thread and multi-thread scores is the defining characteristic of this processor. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 4391 is approximately 7.1 times the single-core score of 619. This scaling is close to the theoretical maximum for 8 threads, indicating that the processor's thread scheduler and cache hierarchy are effective at distributing work. The 6 MB shared L3 cache helps maintain data coherence across the four physical cores.

However, the absolute single-thread numbers are low. A Cinebench R23 single-core score of 619 places it far below any modern desktop or mobile chip. This means applications that are latency-sensitive — such as web rendering, JavaScript execution, or spreadsheet recalculation — will show noticeable lag. The Geekbench single-core score of 554 corroborates this, suggesting the Ivy Bridge architecture's per-core performance is its primary weakness.

For mixed workloads, the behavior is predictable. Multi-threaded applications like video encoding, 3D rendering, or batch photo processing will utilize all 8 threads and approach the 4391 R23 multi-core ceiling. In contrast, single-threaded tasks will hit the 619 R23 single-core ceiling, which is roughly 14% of the multi-core score. The gap between these scores means users should prioritize multi-threaded software to extract maximum performance from this chip. Running single-threaded applications on the i7-3615QM effectively wastes 86% of its theoretical capability.