Core i5-3210M vs Core i7-3667U

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i7-3667U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3210M

2 / 4

2,469

+0.7%

2,451

0.0%

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 Core i5-3210M is positioned at rank 158 and the Core i7-3667U is on rank 1197, so the Core i5-3210M 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 Core i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3667U

#1184

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

5383%

#1185

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

5305%

#1186

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4870%

#1187

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4848%

#1188

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4803%

#1190

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4639%

#1191

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

4448%

#1192

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

4440%

#1193

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

4321%

#1197

Core i7-3667U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1198

Celeron 560

MSRP: $89|Avg: $5

98%

#1199

Core i3-2312M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1200

Celeron 857

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

97%

#1201

Celeron 925

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

96%

#1202

Core 2 Duo E8135

MSRP: $200|Avg: $15

94%

#1203

Core 2 Duo U7700

MSRP: $262|Avg: $10

94%

#1204

Core Duo T2400

MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A

93%

#1205

Core 2 Duo U7600

MSRP: $250|Avg: $5

93%

#1206

Pentium M 735

MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A

91%

#1207

Core i7-620LM

MSRP: $300|Avg: N/A

90%

#1208

Core i7-740QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

89%

#1210

Core 2 Solo SU3300

MSRP: $262|Avg: $50

87%

#1211

Celeron 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3667U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3210M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-3667U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-3667U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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.

Core i5-3210M Benchmark Check

Core i7-3667U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3210M and Core i7-3667U

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i7-3667U

The Core i7-3667U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 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 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,451 points. Launch price was $346.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3210M and Core i7-3667U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3667U — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3667U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-3210M scores 2,469 against the Core i7-3667U's 2,451 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-3210M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3210M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3667U.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-3667U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,469	2,451
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,400	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1023 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3210M versus 1600 on the Core i7-3667U — the Core i7-3667U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M) and HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3667U).

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-3667U
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+104857500%	32
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M) vs true (Core i7-3667U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3210M) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3667U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M; Core i7-3667U rivals AMD A10-4655M.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-3667U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	—