Core i7-3612QE vs Core i3-7350K

Core i7-3612QE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i3-7350K

2 Cores4 Thrd60 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3612QE

4 / 8

4,929

+0.9%

4,886

0.0%

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

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 i7-3612QE is positioned at rank 1042 and the Core i3-7350K is on rank 636, so the Core i3-7350K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3612QE

#1029

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2536%

#1030

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2499%

#1031

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2294%

#1032

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2283%

#1033

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2263%

#1035

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2185%

#1036

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2095%

#1037

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2092%

#1038

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2035%

#1041

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

100%

#1042

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

100%

#1043

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1044

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

99%

#1045

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1046

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

98%

#1047

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

98%

#1048

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

98%

#1049

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

97%

#1050

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1051

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

96%

#1052

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

96%

#1053

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

95%

#1055

Athlon X2 QL-65

MSRP: $150|Avg: $22

94%

#1056

Pentium J2850

MSRP: $94|Avg: $94

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7350K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

11418%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

10789%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

7834%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2360%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1869%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1635%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

937%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

924%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

842%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

842%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

832%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

810%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

798%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

795%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

788%

#387

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

99%

#636

Core i3-7350K

MSRP: $179|Avg: $45

100%

#637

FX-4130

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

100%

#638

Athlon II X2 280

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

99%

#639

Celeron G540T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

99%

#640

FX-8300

MSRP: $197|Avg: $50

99%

#641

Core i5-6600

MSRP: $224|Avg: $90

99%

#642

Core i5-4460

MSRP: $182|Avg: $40

99%

#645

Core i3-4170T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $17

98%

#646

FX-8370E

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

98%

#647

Core i5-4590S

MSRP: $192|Avg: $45

98%

#648

Pentium G2020

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#649

Pentium G3450

MSRP: $82|Avg: $25

97%

#650

Core i7-6700

MSRP: $303|Avg: $143

97%

#651

Athlon II X4 631

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-7350K (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-3612QE	Core i3-7350K
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)	✅ More affordable ($45)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3612QE (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and **unknown Dual-channel**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-3612QE	Core i3-7350K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+10%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)	✅ More affordable ($45)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-3612QE Benchmark Check

Core i3-7350K Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3612QE and Core i3-7350K

Core i7-3612QE

The Core i7-3612QE 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,929 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-7350K

The Core i3-7350K 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 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,886 points. Launch price was $179.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3612QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-7350K offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-3612QE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QE versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K — a 30.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-7350K (base: 2.1 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-3612QE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-7350K uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3612QE scores 4,929 against the Core i3-7350K's 4,886 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-3612QE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 640 vs 1,298, a 67.9% lead for the Core i3-7350K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,200 vs 2,740 (21.9% advantage for the Core i3-7350K). L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3612QE vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7350K.

Feature	Core i7-3612QE	Core i3-7350K
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+35%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,929	4,886
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,100
Geekbench 6 Single	640	1,298+103%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,200	2,740+25%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3612QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7350K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3612QE versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7350K — the Core i3-7350K supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7350K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,QM77 (Core i7-3612QE) and Intel Z270,Intel Z170,Intel H270,Intel B250,Intel Q270,Intel Q250 (Core i3-7350K).

Feature	Core i7-3612QE	Core i3-7350K
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3612QE) vs true (Core i3-7350K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3612QE) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7350K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3612QE targets Industrial/Embedded.

Feature	Core i7-3612QE	Core i3-7350K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Intel HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Industrial/Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-3612QE launched at $426 MSRP, while the Core i3-7350K debuted at $179. At current prices ($50 vs $45), the Core i3-7350K is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3612QE delivers 98.6 pts/$ vs 108.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-7350K — making the Core i3-7350K the 9.7% better value option.