CPU
GPU
Core i7-3612QM
Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
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. The Core i7-3612QM is positioned at rank #1030 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3612QM
Performance Per Dollar Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3612QM | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Picasso (2019−2022) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3612QM | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+437%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
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 i7-3612QM and Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
Core i7-3612QM
The Core i7-3612QM 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: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,661 points. Launch price was $69.
Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 4,633 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3612QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-3612QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QM versus 3.4 GHz on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-3612QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE uses Picasso (2019−2022) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3612QM scores 4,661 against the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE's 4,633 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-3612QM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3612QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE.
| Feature | Core i7-3612QM | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.4 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.4 GHz+62% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm | 12 nm-45% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Picasso (2019−2022) |
| PassMark | 4,661 | 4,633 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 600 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3612QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3612QM versus DDR4-2667 on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE — the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3612QM) vs 8 (Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE) — the Core i7-3612QM offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77 (Core i7-3612QM) and AMD AM4 (Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE).
| Feature | Core i7-3612QM | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1224 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2667+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3612QM) / not specified (Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3612QM) and AMD Radeon Vega 3 (Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3612QM targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3612QM rivals AMD A10-5750M.
| Feature | Core i7-3612QM | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | AMD Radeon Vega 3 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-3612QM launched at $378 MSRP, while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE debuted at $108.
| Feature | Core i7-3612QM | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $378 | $108-71% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $70 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2020 |
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