Core i5-760 vs Core i5-3610ME

The Core i5-760 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3610ME offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-760 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i5-760 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3610ME — a 0.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-760 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-760 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3610ME uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-760 scores 2,667 against the Core i5-3610ME's 2,652 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-760. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 470 vs 585, a 21.8% lead for the Core i5-3610ME that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-760 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3610ME.

The Core i5-760 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3610ME uses G2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i5-760) and HM65,QM77,QM67 (Core i5-3610ME).

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i5-3610ME includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-760 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-760 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i5-3610ME targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-760 rivals Phenom II X4 970; Core i5-3610ME rivals Embedded R-Series.

The Core i5-760 launched at $230 MSRP, while the Core i5-3610ME debuted at $276. At current prices ($61 vs $22), the Core i5-3610ME is $39 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-760 delivers 43.7 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-3610ME — making the Core i5-3610ME the 93.5% better value option.