i3-4170 vs i7-3612QM

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3612QM
2012
4 cores / 8 threads, 35 Watt
2.93
+28.5%
Core i3-4170
2014
2 cores / 4 threads, 54 Watt
2.28

Core i7-3612QM outperforms Core i3-4170 by a significant 29% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking16501807
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.52
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7no data
Power efficiency7.924.00
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Haswell (2013−2015)
Release date29 April 2012 (12 years ago)1 May 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$117

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.1 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.1 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size160 mm2177 mm2
Maximum core temperature105 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors1,400 million1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCPGA988FCLGA1150
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt54 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection+-
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 4000Intel HD Graphics 4400
Max video memoryno data2 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHz1.15 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++
DVIno data+
VGAno data+
SDVO+no data
CRT+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over VGAno data1920x1200@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data11.1/12
OpenGLno data4.3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170.

PCIe version3.0Up to 3.0
PCI Express lanes1616

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-3612QM 2.93
+28.5%
i3-4170 2.28

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-3612QM 4651
+28.3%
i3-4170 3626

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-3612QM 494
i3-4170 1123
+127%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-3612QM 1663
i3-4170 2162
+30%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.93 2.28
Integrated graphics card 1.18 1.35
Recency 29 April 2012 1 May 2014
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Power consumption (TDP) 35 Watt 54 Watt

i7-3612QM has a 28.5% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and 54.3% lower power consumption.

i3-4170, on the other hand, has 14.4% faster integrated GPU, and an age advantage of 2 years.

The Core i7-3612QM is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-4170 in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i7-3612QM is a notebook processor while Core i3-4170 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3612QM and Core i3-4170, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-3612QM
Core i7-3612QM
Intel Core i3-4170
Core i3-4170

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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