Core i5-7442EQ vs Core i7-3612QE

Core i5-7442EQ

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2017

Core i7-3612QE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-7442EQ

4 / 4

4,834

0.0%

4,929

+2.0%

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 i5-7442EQ is positioned at rank 807 and the Core i7-3612QE is on rank 1042, so the Core i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

16118%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15230%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11058%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3331%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2639%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2308%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1322%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1305%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1188%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1188%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1175%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1143%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1127%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1122%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1112%

#805

Pentium G620

MSRP: $64|Avg: $12

100%

#806

Pentium G645T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

100%

#807

Core i5-7442EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

100%

#810

Core i3-3250T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $15

99%

#811

Core i5-5575R

MSRP: $265|Avg: $50

99%

#813

Core i3-3210

MSRP: $117|Avg: $25

99%

#814

Celeron G3900E

MSRP: $107|Avg: $35

98%

#815

Athlon II X3 435

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

98%

#816

Core i7-6822EQ

MSRP: $294|Avg: $190

98%

#817

Athlon II X4 645

MSRP: $126|Avg: $20

97%

#818

Core i5-7400

MSRP: $294|Avg: $70

96%

#819

Pentium E5800

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

96%

#820

Core i7-6820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $344

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3612QE

#1029

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2536%

#1030

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2499%

#1031

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2294%

#1032

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2283%

#1033

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2263%

#1035

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2185%

#1036

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2095%

#1037

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2092%

#1038

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2035%

#1041

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

100%

#1042

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

100%

#1043

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1044

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

99%

#1045

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1046

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

98%

#1047

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

98%

#1048

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

98%

#1049

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

97%

#1050

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1051

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

96%

#1052

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

96%

#1053

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

95%

#1055

Athlon X2 QL-65

MSRP: $150|Avg: $22

94%

#1056

Pentium J2850

MSRP: $94|Avg: $94

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-7442EQ (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3L-1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-3612QE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3612QE (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and **unknown Dual-channel**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-3612QE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+2%)
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i5-7442EQ Benchmark Check

Core i7-3612QE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-7442EQ and Core i7-3612QE

Core i5-7442EQ

The Core i5-7442EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,834 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i7-3612QE

The Core i7-3612QE 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: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,929 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-7442EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3612QE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QE — a 38.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-3612QE. The Core i5-7442EQ uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3612QE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7442EQ scores 4,834 against the Core i7-3612QE's 4,929 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i7-3612QE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 728 vs 640, a 12.9% lead for the Core i5-7442EQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,387 vs 2,200 (8.2% advantage for the Core i5-7442EQ). L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3612QE.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-3612QE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	3.1 GHz+48%
Base Clock	—	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,834	4,929+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	728+14%	640
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,387+9%	2,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7442EQ versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3612QE — the Core i5-7442EQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7442EQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: QM175,HM175,CM238 (Core i5-7442EQ) and HM76,QM77 (Core i7-3612QE).

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-3612QE
Socket	—	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3612QE). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7442EQ) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3612QE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7442EQ targets Embedded, Core i7-3612QE targets Industrial/Embedded.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-3612QE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Embedded	Industrial/Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-7442EQ launched at $250 MSRP, while the Core i7-3612QE debuted at $426. At current prices ($50 vs $50), the Core i7-3612QE is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7442EQ delivers 96.7 pts/$ vs 98.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-3612QE — making the Core i7-3612QE the 1.9% better value option.