Core i5-680 vs Core i7-3687U
Core i5-680
Core i7-3687U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i5-680 is positioned at rank 1014 and the Core i7-3687U is on rank 654, so the Core i7-3687U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-680
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3687U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-680 | Core i7-3687U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-680 | Core i7-3687U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-680 and Core i7-3687U
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 i7-3687U
The Core i7-3687U 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,621 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-680 and Core i7-3687U 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 i7-3687U — a 15.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-680 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-680 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3687U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-680 scores 2,620 against the Core i7-3687U's 2,621 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-3687U. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-680 | Core i7-3687U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.86 GHz+17% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+71% | 2.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,620 | 2,621 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 640 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,240 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-680 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3687U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i7-3687U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i5-680 | Core i7-3687U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i5-680) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3687U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-680 targets Desktop, Core i7-3687U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i7-3687U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.
| Feature | Core i5-680 | Core i7-3687U |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Target Use | Desktop | Enthusiast |
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