Core i7-3612QE
VS
Processor N100

Core i7-3612QE vs Processor N100

Intel

Core i7-3612QE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Processor N100

4 Cores4 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

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 i7-3612QE is positioned at rank 1042 and the Processor N100 is on rank 583, so the Processor N100 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 Processor N100

#571
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
771%
#572
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
760%
#573
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
698%
#574
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
695%
#575
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
688%
#577
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
665%
#578
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
637%
#579
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
636%
#580
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
619%
#583
Processor N100
MSRP: $128|Avg: $100
100%
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 Processor N100 (2023) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i7-3612QEProcessor N100
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($50)
⚠️ Higher cost ($100)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / 10 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.
InsightCore i7-3612QEProcessor N100
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+102%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($50)
⚠️ Higher cost ($100)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3612QE and Processor N100

Intel

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.

Intel

Processor N100

The Processor N100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 4,869 points. Launch price was $128.

Processing Power

The Core i7-3612QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Processor N100's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QE versus 3.4 GHz on the Processor N100 — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Processor N100 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i7-3612QE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Processor N100 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3612QE scores 4,929 against the Processor N100's 4,869 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-3612QE. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3612QE vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N100.

FeatureCore i7-3612QEProcessor N100
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.1 GHz
3.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz+2000%
0.1 GHz
L3 Cache
6144 kB (total)
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2 MB (total)+700%
Process
22 nm
10 nm-55%
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark
4,929+1%
4,869
Geekbench 6 Single
640
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,200
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3612QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N100 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-3612QEProcessor N100
Socket
BGA1023
FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3612QE) / not specified (Processor N100). The Core i7-3612QE includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Processor N100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3612QE targets Industrial/Embedded.

FeatureCore i7-3612QEProcessor N100
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Industrial/Embedded
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-3612QE launched at $426 MSRP, while the Processor N100 debuted at $128. At current prices ($50 vs $100), the Core i7-3612QE is $50 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3612QE delivers 98.6 pts/$ vs 48.7 pts/$ for the Processor N100 — making the Core i7-3612QE the 67.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-3612QEProcessor N100
MSRP
$426
$128-70%
Avg Price (30d)
$50-50%
$100
Performance per Dollar
98.6+102%
48.7
Release Date
2012
2023