Core i7-3610QE vs Pentium Silver N6005

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 i7-3610QE vs Pentium Silver N6005 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 i7-3610QE vs Pentium Silver N6005: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3610QE

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium Silver N6005 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,234 vs 5,253).
❌Launch MSRP is still $315 MSRP, while Pentium Silver N6005 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌350% higher power demand at 45W vs 10W.

Pentium Silver N6005

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 10W instead of 45W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3610QE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3610QE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Silver N6005 better than Core i7-3610QE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3610QE is ahead with a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Silver N6005 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-3610QE also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Silver N6005 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Silver N6005 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Silver N6005 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $315 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-3610QE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on G2.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium Silver N6005 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 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 i7-3610QE vs Pentium Silver N6005 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3610QE

The Core i7-3610QE 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: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,234 points. Launch price was $149.

Pentium Silver N6005

The Pentium Silver N6005 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,253 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3610QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Pentium Silver N6005's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3610QE versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium Silver N6005 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-3610QE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Silver N6005 uses Jasper Lake (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3610QE scores 5,234 against the Pentium Silver N6005's 5,253 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium Silver N6005. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3610QE vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Silver N6005.

Feature	Core i7-3610QE	Pentium Silver N6005
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+15%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.5 MB (total)+500%
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Jasper Lake (2021)
PassMark	5,234	5,253

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3610QE uses the G2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Silver N6005 uses BGA1338 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3610QE	Pentium Silver N6005
Socket	G2	BGA1338
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3610QE) / not specified (Pentium Silver N6005). The Core i7-3610QE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium Silver N6005 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3610QE targets Mobile.