Core i7-3517U vs 3015Ce
Core i7-3517U
3015Ce
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 i7-3517U is positioned at rank 340 and the 3015Ce is on rank 999, so the Core i7-3517U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3517U
Performance Per Dollar 3015Ce
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3517U | 3015Ce |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Pollock (Zen) (2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3517U | 3015Ce |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
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 i7-3517U and 3015Ce
Core i7-3517U
The Core i7-3517U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 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/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,108 points. Launch price was $69.
3015Ce
The 3015Ce is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,099 points. Launch price was $50.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-3517U and 3015Ce share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-3517U versus 2.3 GHz on the 3015Ce — a 26.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i7-3517U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the 3015Ce uses Pollock (Zen) (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517U scores 2,108 against the 3015Ce's 2,099 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3517U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517U vs 4 MB on the 3015Ce.
| Feature | Core i7-3517U | 3015Ce |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+30% | 2.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz+58% | 1.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Pollock (Zen) (2020) |
| PassMark | 2,108 | 2,099 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3517U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the 3015Ce uses FT5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1600 memory speed. The Core i7-3517U supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-3517U) vs 1 (3015Ce). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3517U) vs 8 (3015Ce) — the Core i7-3517U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3517U) and FP5 (3015Ce).
| Feature | Core i7-3517U | 3015Ce |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FT5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600 | 1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32+100% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3517U) and Radeon Graphics (2-Core) (3015Ce) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3517U rivals AMD A10-4655M; 3015Ce rivals Celeron N4020.
| Feature | Core i7-3517U | 3015Ce |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Radeon Graphics (2-Core) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | true |
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