Core i5-6300HQ vs Core i7-3612QM

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 i5-6300HQ vs Core i7-3612QM 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 i5-6300HQ vs Core i7-3612QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6300HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3612QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Core i7-3612QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,661 vs 4,672).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i5-6300HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3612QM better than Core i5-6300HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3612QM is ahead with a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-3612QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-3612QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-6300HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-6300HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6300HQ vs Core i7-3612QM Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6300HQ

The Core i5-6300HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,672 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i7-3612QM

The Core i7-3612QM 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: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,661 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6300HQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3612QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6300HQ versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QM — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-6300HQ (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-6300HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3612QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6300HQ scores 4,672 against the Core i7-3612QM's 4,661 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6300HQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,000 vs 600, a 50% lead for the Core i5-6300HQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6300HQ vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3612QM.

Feature	Core i5-6300HQ	Core i7-3612QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+3%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+10%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,672	4,661
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000+67%	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6300HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3612QM uses FCBGA1224 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6300HQ versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3612QM — the Core i5-6300HQ supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6300HQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM170,QM170 (Core i5-6300HQ) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77 (Core i7-3612QM).

Feature	Core i5-6300HQ	Core i7-3612QM
Socket	BGA1440	FCBGA1224
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6300HQ) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3612QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300HQ targets Gaming Laptop, Core i7-3612QM targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300HQ rivals A12-9730P; Core i7-3612QM rivals AMD A10-5750M.

Feature	Core i5-6300HQ	Core i7-3612QM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Laptop	Mainstream Laptop