Core i7-3520M vs Core i5-4278U
Core i7-3520M
Core i5-4278U
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 i7-3520M is positioned at rank 1127 and the Core i5-4278U is on rank 726, so the Core i5-4278U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3520M
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4278U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3520M | Core i5-4278U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($346) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3520M | Core i5-4278U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($346) | ✅ 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 i7-3520M and Core i5-4278U
Core i7-3520M
The Core i7-3520M 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,842 points. Launch price was $346.
Core i5-4278U
The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-3520M and Core i5-4278U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3520M versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U — a 14.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-3520M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-3520M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4278U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3520M scores 2,842 against the Core i5-4278U's 2,826 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-3520M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3520M vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4278U.
| Feature | Core i7-3520M | Core i5-4278U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+16% | 3.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz+12% | 2.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,842 | 2,826 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,688 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 889 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,860 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4278U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-3520M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4278U — the Core i7-3520M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-3520M supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3520M) vs 12 (Core i5-4278U) — the Core i7-3520M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3520M) and Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i5-4278U).
| Feature | Core i7-3520M | Core i5-4278U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | 16 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3520M) and Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4278U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3520M rivals AMD A10-5750M.
| Feature | Core i7-3520M | Core i5-4278U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Intel Iris Graphics 5100 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | true |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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