Intel Core i7-3667U

The Intel Core i7-3667U is a 2-core, 4-thread mobile processor built on Intel's 22 nm Ivy Bridge architecture, with a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Its 17 W TDP targets thin-and-light laptops, and it integrates Intel HD 4000 graphics. Benchmark results place it at the 18th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 720. Its nearest rivals—Intel Core i3-3250, Core i5-661, Core i5-2390T, and Core i3-5015U—show performance deltas ranging from 0.7% faster to 0.5% slower, indicating that the i7-3667U sits in a tightly contested performance band.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Core i3-3250, the i7-3667U posts an average benchmark score of 720 versus 719, a delta of 0.1%. This is a statistical tie; the 1-point difference is well within run-to-run variance. Both CPUs are effectively interchangeable in aggregate performance, though the i7-3667U’s lower TDP (17 W) gives it an efficiency edge in mobile chassis.

The Intel Core i5-661 trails slightly, with an average score of 718. The i7-3667U is 0.3% faster, again a negligible margin. The i5-661 is a desktop part from an older generation, so the i7-3667U’s ability to match it while consuming far less power (17 W vs. the i5-661’s unspecified but higher TDP) underscores the architectural efficiency of the Ivy Bridge process node.

The Intel Core i5-2390T is the only rival that outpaces the i7-3667U, with an average score of 724. Here the i7-3667U is 0.5% slower. This is a small but consistent deficit, likely stemming from the i5-2390T’s higher base frequency and similar core count. Still, the i7-3667U remains within 5 points of the i5-2390T, a remarkable closeness given the i5-2390T’s desktop-oriented design.

Finally, the Intel Core i3-5015U, a newer 14 nm mobile chip, scores 715 on average. The i7-3667U is 0.7% faster, demonstrating that the older 22 nm architecture can still hold its own against a later-generation part in aggregate benchmarks, despite the i3-5015U’s more modern manufacturing process.

Who Should Consider It

The i7-3667U is best suited for users whose workloads are dominated by single-threaded tasks and light multitasking. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 293 is modest, but it is sufficient for everyday office applications, web browsing, and document editing. The multi-core score of 2078 indicates that it can handle some parallel workloads, but the 2-core/4-thread design limits scaling in heavily threaded applications like video rendering or 3D simulation.

For productivity users who rely on spreadsheets, word processors, and email, the i7-3667U delivers acceptable performance, as evidenced by its Geekbench single-core score of 479. However, creative professionals working with 4K video or complex 3D scenes will find the multi-core throughput (Geekbench multi-core 986, Cinebench R23 multi-core 2078) insufficient for real-time previews or rapid exports. The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics further restrict gaming and GPU-accelerated tasks; only older or very light titles are playable at reduced settings.

The 17 W TDP makes the i7-3667U a candidate for fanless or passively cooled designs, where sustained performance is secondary to power efficiency. Users who prioritize battery life and low heat output over raw speed will find this chip appropriate. Conversely, anyone needing high frame rates or heavy computational throughput should look at parts with higher core counts and more powerful iGPUs.

Benchmark Performance

The i7-3667U’s benchmark results paint a picture of a balanced, low-power processor. In Cinebench R20, it scores 872 multi-core and 123 single-core. The R23 version yields 2078 multi-core and 293 single-core. The R23 multi-core figure is 2.5× the R20 multi-core score, but this reflects workload differences rather than a performance change. More telling is the single-core progression: 123 (R20) to 293 (R23) is a 2.4× jump, again due to benchmark scaling, not silicon behavior.

Geekbench scores are 986 multi-core and 479 single-core. The multi-core to single-core ratio is roughly 2.06, which aligns with the 2-core/4-thread topology—hyper-threading provides a modest parallel gain. This ratio is typical for dual-core parts with SMT.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the i7-3667U’s average score of 720 places it within 0.7% of the fastest rival (i3-5015U, 715) and 0.5% behind the slowest (i5-2390T, 724). The deltaPct values—0.1%, 0.3%, -0.5%, and 0.7%—are all under 1%, meaning that in real-world use, the differences are imperceptible. For instance, a 0.5% deficit translates to roughly 0.1 seconds in a 20-second render, far below human perception.

The 18th percentile ranking among all CPUs indicates that the i7-3667U outperforms only 18% of the processors in the benchmark database. This is consistent with its position as a low-power mobile part from 2012; modern desktop and high-end mobile chips far exceed it. However, within its own power class, it competes effectively, as the near-identical scores of its rivals show.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-3667U use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, which is a ball-grid array package designed for soldered mobile installation.

Q: Does the i7-3667U support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; the processor is limited to non-ECC DDR3 modules.

Q: What integrated graphics does it feature?

A: It includes Intel HD 4000 graphics, which is a basic integrated solution suitable for everyday display output and light media playback.

Q: How does the i7-3667U compare to the Intel Core i3-5015U in average benchmark score?

A: The i7-3667U is 0.7% faster, with an average score of 720 versus 715 for the i3-5015U.

Q: When was the i7-3667U released?

A: The release date is 2012-06-02, placing it in the second quarter of 2012.

Q: What is the memory configuration of this processor?

A: It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, with a shared L3 cache of 4 MB.

Power and Thermals

The i7-3667U has a TDP of 17 W, classifying it as an ultra-low-power processor. This rating, combined with a 22 nm process node and a die size of 118 mm², suggests that thermal management is straightforward. A modest cooling solution—such as a small heatpipe or a low-profile fan—is sufficient to maintain operation within its design envelope. The low TDP also implies that the chip can be integrated into passively cooled systems, though sustained heavy loads may cause thermal throttling if the chassis lacks airflow.

The 17 W figure is particularly notable when compared to the performance deltas against its rivals: the i7-3667U matches or nearly matches desktop parts like the i5-661 and i5-2390T, yet consumes a fraction of the power. This efficiency stems from the Ivy Bridge architecture’s 22 nm transistors and the chip’s conservative clock speeds. The base clock of 2000 MHz and boost of 3.20 GHz are modest, but they are tuned for power-limited environments.

For system builders, the 17 W TDP means that a standard laptop cooling solution—often a single heatpipe and a small fan—is adequate. The processor does not require high-end cooling hardware, and its thermal output is low enough to allow for compact form factors. In summary, the i7-3667U is a power-efficient part that delivers adequate performance for its class, with thermal characteristics that are easy to manage in thin-and-light designs.