Intel Core i7-3687U

The Intel Core i7-3687U is a dual-core mobile processor from the Ivy Bridge generation, manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process with a die size of 118 mm². It operates with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, supporting 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. Benchmark data places this chip at the 20th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 776, indicating it sits firmly in the entry-level performance tier for its era.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i7-3687U delivers consistently low-to-mid-range scores across all tested workloads. In Cinebench R23, it achieves a multi-core score of 2246 and a single-core score of 317. The multi-core result reflects the limitations of a 2-core/4-thread configuration, while the single-core figure shows modest per-thread efficiency for a 22 nm mobile part. Cinebench R20 results are proportionally similar: 943 multi-core and 133 single-core. The older Cinebench R15 test yields 226 multi-core points. Geekbench results follow the same pattern, with a multi-core score of 1044 and a single-core score of 526.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the performance delta is minimal. The processor's average score of 776 is statistically tied with the AMD Athlon X4 760K, which scores 777, representing a negligible delta of -0.1%. The same delta applies against the Intel Core i5-680, also at 777. Against the Intel Core i3-3250T, the i7-3687U is 0.2% ahead (775 vs. 776). The AMD A10-5800K leads by a razor-thin margin of 0.3%, with a score of 778. These sub-1% differences mean that in real-world applications, the i7-3687U is functionally interchangeable with all four rivals in aggregate benchmark terms.

The single-core Cinebench R23 score of 317 places the processor in a position where its per-thread performance is adequate for basic productivity tasks but notably behind any modern desktop part. The multi-core score of 2246, when compared to the 20th percentile ranking, indicates that this CPU will struggle with heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation. Benchmark results clearly show a processor designed for power efficiency over raw throughput, with the 17W TDP class being the dominant design constraint rather than absolute performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core i7-3687U uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, which means it is permanently soldered to the motherboard. This has significant implications for upgradeability: the processor cannot be removed or replaced by the end user. Any system built around this chip is effectively a sealed unit, and platform upgrades require a full motherboard replacement or a new laptop.

Memory support is limited to DDR3, operating in dual-channel mode. The integrated memory controller does not support ECC memory, which is consistent with its mobile consumer positioning. The lack of a dedicated PCIe specification in the available data suggests that expansion capabilities are limited to what the motherboard vendor integrates, typical for a low-power mobile platform. The 22 nm process node and 118 mm² die size indicate a compact, power-optimized design rather than a performance-oriented one.

The processor includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, which provides basic display output capabilities without requiring a discrete GPU. This is sufficient for office work, web browsing, and video playback, but not for gaming or GPU-accelerated compute tasks. The platform's upgrade path is essentially non-existent due to the BGA socket; the only realistic path forward is replacing the entire system. The architecture, codenamed Ivy Bridge, was released in early January 2013, placing it in a generation where the upgrade cycle has long since passed.

Power and Thermals

The Core i7-3687U carries a TDP of 17 watts, which classifies it as an ultra-low-power part designed for thin-and-light laptops and fanless or near-silent designs. This TDP figure is the defining characteristic of the chip, as it dictates the entire thermal and power delivery solution required. A 17W TDP demands only a modest cooling solution — a small heat pipe and a low-profile fan, or in some chassis, passive cooling with adequate airflow. The 22 nm process helps keep leakage currents low, contributing to the manageable thermal envelope.

The boost clock of 3.30 GHz is notably high for a 17W part, suggesting that Intel configured the processor to hit high single-core frequencies for short bursts while relying on the power limit to throttle sustained multi-core loads. This behavior is consistent with the benchmark scores: single-core performance is relatively respectable, while multi-core performance falls off sharply because the chip cannot sustain both cores at maximum boost within the 17W power envelope. The base clock of 2.10 GHz serves as the steady-state frequency when all cores are active.

For thermal management, a capable air cooler with a small heatsink is sufficient. The low TDP also enables fanless operation in well-ventilated chassis, though most systems will include a fan for burst workloads. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means there is no headroom for overclocking, which is expected for a mobile BGA part. The power characteristics make this processor well-suited for devices prioritizing battery life and quiet operation over computational throughput, and the 17W figure places it in the same class as other ultrabook processors of its era.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Core i7-3687U?

A: The average benchmark score is 776, placing it in the 20th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: How does the i7-3687U compare to the AMD Athlon X4 760K?

A: The two processors are statistically identical, with the Athlon X4 760K scoring 777 versus the i7-3687U's 776, a delta of -0.1%.

Q: What memory type does this processor support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, with no ECC support.

Q: Is the Core i7-3687U overclockable?

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

Q: What integrated graphics does the i7-3687U include?

A: It includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.

Q: What socket does this processor use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradable mobile socket.

How It Compares

vs. AMD Athlon X4 760K: The Athlon X4 760K holds a marginal 0.1% performance advantage, with an average score of 777 against the i7-3687U's 776. This is a statistical tie, though the Athlon is a desktop part with four physical cores, while the i7-3687U relies on two cores with Hyper-Threading. In multi-threaded workloads, the Athlon's extra physical cores likely give it an edge, but the i7's higher clock speeds and newer architecture close the gap in single-threaded tasks.

vs. Intel Core i5-680: The Core i5-680 also scores 777, matching the Athlon exactly and edging out the i7-3687U by 0.1%. The i5-680 is a desktop dual-core part from an older generation, yet it manages to slightly outperform the mobile i7 in aggregate benchmarks. This highlights that the i7-3687U's performance is constrained by its 17W power limit rather than its architectural capabilities, as the i5-680 operates at a much higher TDP.

vs. Intel Core i3-3250T: The i3-3250T scores 775, putting the i7-3687U 0.2% ahead. Both are low-power parts, but the i7-3687U offers a higher boost clock and larger L3 cache (4 MB shared) compared to the i3's typical configuration. The performance difference is negligible, making the choice between them dependent on platform features rather than raw speed.

vs. AMD A10-5800K: The A10-5800K leads with a score of 778, a 0.3% advantage over the i7-3687U. This is the largest delta among the four rivals, but still well within the margin of error for most benchmarks. The A10 is a desktop APU with a powerful integrated GPU, whereas the i7-3687U is a mobile part with Intel HD 4000. The i7's strength lies in its power efficiency, not its performance ceiling.