Core i3-3220T vs Core i7-3689Y

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.

Core i3-3220T vs Core i7-3689Y FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-3220T vs Core i7-3689Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-3220T

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3689Y.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (465 vs 507).
❌Lower PassMark (1,953 vs 1,967).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Core i7-3689Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-3689Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-3220T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3689Y better than Core i3-3220T?

Yes. Core i7-3689Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3689Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% more average FPS across 29 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3689Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-3689Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-3689Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-3220T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-3689Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3220T vs Core i7-3689Y Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-3220T

The Core i3-3220T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,953 points. Launch price was $201.

Core i7-3689Y

The Core i7-3689Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,967 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3220T and Core i7-3689Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-3220T versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-3689Y — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-3220T (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-3220T scores 1,953 against the Core i7-3689Y's 1,967 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-3689Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 465 vs 507, a 8.6% lead for the Core i7-3689Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3220T vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3689Y.

Feature	Core i3-3220T	Core i7-3689Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+87%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,953	1,967
Geekbench 6 Single	465	507+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,100

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3220T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3689Y uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B75,Z75,Z77,H77,Q75,Q77,H61,H67,P67,Z68 (Core i3-3220T) and HM77,QM77 (Core i7-3689Y).

Feature	Core i3-3220T	Core i7-3689Y
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3689Y). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2500 (Core i3-3220T) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3689Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3220T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i7-3689Y targets Ultra-Low Power Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3220T rivals A8-5500; Core i7-3689Y rivals AMD A10-4655M.

Feature	Core i3-3220T	Core i7-3689Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Ultra-Low Power Laptop