Intel Core i5-3210M vs Intel Core i7-3520M

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-3210M or Intel Core i5-3210M – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i5-3210M features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-3210M, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1023 socket.
The Intel Core i7-3520M features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-3520M, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1023 socket.
Mobile Segment Mobile
Intel Core i5-3210M Name Intel Core i7-3520M
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i7
3 Generation 3
Intel Core i 3000M Group Intel Core i 3000M
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-3210M has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-3210M is 2.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.1 GHz.
The Intel Core i7-3520M has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3520M is 2.9 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
3.1 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.6 GHz
No Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
2.5 GHz Frequency 2.9 GHz
4 Threads 4
3.1 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.4 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
2 CPU Cores 2
2x Cores 2x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-3210M has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-3210M uses the Intel HD Graphics 4000, which has 128 texture shaders
and 16 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i7-3520M has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-3520M uses the Intel HD Graphics 4000, which has 128 texture shaders
0.65 GHz GPU frequency 0.65 GHz
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2011
11.0 Direct X 11.0
Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 4000
22 nm Technology 22 nm
-- Max. displays --
128 Shaders 128
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
16 Execution units 16
7 Generation 7
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.25 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
Decode VC-1 Decode
No VP9 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
No VP8 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode JPEG Decode
No AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
32.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1333, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
-- Tjunction max --
35 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 35 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-3210M is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-3520M is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q2/2012 Release date Q2/2012
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Ivy Bridge H Architecture Ivy Bridge H
22 nm Technology 22 nm
BGA 1023 Socket BGA 1023
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
-- Release price 346 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
3.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3520M
2C 4T @ 2.9 GHz
1613
1613
Intel Core i5-3210M
2C 4T @ 2.5 GHz
1366
1366

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3520M
2C 4T @ 2.9 GHz
1446
1446
Intel Core i5-3210M
2C 4T @ 2.5 GHz
1102
1102

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3520M
2C 4T @ 2.9 GHz
685
685
Intel Core i5-3210M
2C 4T @ 2.5 GHz
540
540

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3520M
2C 4T @ 2.9 GHz
663
663
Intel Core i5-3210M
2C 4T @ 2.5 GHz
534
534