Athlon Gold 7220U vs Core i7-3612QE

Athlon Gold 7220U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022

Core i7-3612QE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Athlon Gold 7220U

2 / 4

4,904

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Core i7-3612QE

4 / 8

4,929

+0.5%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon Gold 7220U is positioned at rank 655 and the Core i7-3612QE is on rank 1042, so the Athlon Gold 7220U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon Gold 7220U

#643

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

898%

#644

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

884%

#645

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

812%

#646

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

808%

#647

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

801%

#649

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

773%

#650

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

742%

#651

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

740%

#652

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

720%

#655

Athlon Gold 7220U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#662

Athlon II P360

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

99%

#665

Athlon X2 QL-64

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

99%

#666

Core 3 N350

MSRP: $225|Avg: $220

99%

#668

FX-7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3612QE

#1029

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2536%

#1030

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2499%

#1031

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2294%

#1032

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2283%

#1033

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2263%

#1035

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2185%

#1036

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2095%

#1037

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2092%

#1038

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2035%

#1041

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

100%

#1042

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

100%

#1043

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1044

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

99%

#1045

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1046

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

98%

#1047

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

98%

#1048

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

98%

#1049

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

97%

#1050

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1051

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

96%

#1052

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

96%

#1053

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

95%

#1055

Athlon X2 QL-65

MSRP: $150|Avg: $22

94%

#1056

Pentium J2850

MSRP: $94|Avg: $94

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Athlon Gold 7220U (2022) utilizes 6 nm technology and **DDR5 Dual-channel**, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Athlon Gold 7220U	Core i7-3612QE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) / 6 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3612QE (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and **unknown Dual-channel**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Athlon Gold 7220U	Core i7-3612QE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Athlon Gold 7220U Benchmark Check

Core i7-3612QE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon Gold 7220U and Core i7-3612QE

Athlon Gold 7220U

The Athlon Gold 7220U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,904 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-3612QE

The Core i7-3612QE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,929 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon Gold 7220U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3612QE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-3612QE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Athlon Gold 7220U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QE — a 17.6% clock advantage for the Athlon Gold 7220U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Athlon Gold 7220U uses the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) architecture (6 nm), while the Core i7-3612QE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Gold 7220U scores 4,904 against the Core i7-3612QE's 4,929 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-3612QE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon Gold 7220U vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3612QE.

Feature	Athlon Gold 7220U	Core i7-3612QE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+19%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+14%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	6 nm-73%	22 nm
Architecture	Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,904	4,929
Geekbench 6 Single	—	640
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon Gold 7220U uses the FT6 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-3612QE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5500 on the Athlon Gold 7220U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3612QE — the Athlon Gold 7220U supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Athlon Gold 7220U) vs 16 (Core i7-3612QE) — the Core i7-3612QE offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FT6 (Athlon Gold 7220U) and HM76,QM77 (Core i7-3612QE).

Feature	Athlon Gold 7220U	Core i7-3612QE
Socket	FT6	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	5500+183233%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16	16 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon Gold 7220U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3612QE). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon 610M (Athlon Gold 7220U) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3612QE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3612QE targets Industrial/Embedded. Direct competitor: Athlon Gold 7220U rivals Core i3-1115G4.