Core i5-680 vs Core i5-3610ME

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 i5-680 vs Core i5-3610ME 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 i5-680 vs Core i5-3610ME: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-680

2010

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,620 vs 2,652).
❌
6.5% HIGHER MSRP
$294 MSRPvs$276 MSRP
❌108.6% higher power demand at 73W vs 35W.

Core i5-3610ME

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($276 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 73W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3610ME better than Core i5-680?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-680 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3610ME pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i5-680 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3610ME is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3610ME is the better buy right now. Core i5-3610ME comes in $18 cheaper on MSRP at $276 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-680 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 7.8% better value on MSRP (9.6 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3610ME makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) 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 i5-680 vs Core i5-3610ME Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-680

The Core i5-680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,620 points. Launch price was $272.

Core i5-3610ME

The Core i5-3610ME 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,652 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-680 and Core i5-3610ME share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.86 GHz on the Core i5-680 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3610ME — a 15.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-680 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-680 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-3610ME uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-680 scores 2,620 against the Core i5-3610ME's 2,652 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-3610ME. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-680 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3610ME.

Feature	Core i5-680	Core i5-3610ME
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.86 GHz+17%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,620	2,652+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	585

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-680 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3610ME uses G2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-680 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3610ME — the Core i5-3610ME supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-680	Core i5-3610ME
Socket	LGA1156	G2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 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, VT-d (Core i5-680) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3610ME). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i5-680) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3610ME) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-680 targets Desktop, Core i5-3610ME targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-3610ME rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i5-680	Core i5-3610ME
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-680 was priced at $294, while the Core i5-3610ME came in at $276. On launch pricing ($294 vs $276), Core i5-3610ME was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-680 delivers 8.9 pts/$ vs 9.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-3610ME — making the Core i5-3610ME the 7.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-680	Core i5-3610ME
MSRP	$294	$276-6%
Performance per Dollar	8.9	9.6+8%
Release Date	2010	2012

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