Core i5-7500T vs Core i7-3615QM

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 i5-7500T vs Core i7-3615QM 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 i5-7500T vs Core i7-3615QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7500T

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i7-3615QM needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3615QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $202 MSRP, while Core i7-3615QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-3615QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,167 vs 5,215).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7500T better than Core i7-3615QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3615QM is ahead with a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7500T pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-7500T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $202 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3615QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 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 i5-7500T vs Core i7-3615QM Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7500T

The Core i5-7500T 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. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,215 points. Launch price was $202.

Core i7-3615QM

The Core i7-3615QM 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,167 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7500T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3615QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-7500T versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QM — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-7500T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3615QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7500T scores 5,215 against the Core i7-3615QM's 5,167 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-7500T. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-7500T	Core i7-3615QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+17%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,215	5,167
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,023	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3615QM uses FCBGA1224 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7500T	Core i7-3615QM
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1224
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7500T) / not specified (Core i7-3615QM). The Core i5-7500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-3615QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7500T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-7500T rivals Ryzen 3 1200.