Core i7-3612QM vs N200

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 i7-3612QM vs N200 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 i7-3612QM vs N200: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3612QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while N200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,661 vs 4,729).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.3 vs 24.5 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
❌483.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1224, while N200 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

N200

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $185 less on MSRP ($193 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 98.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.5 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($193 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Draws 6W instead of 35W, a 29W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1224 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3612QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3612QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is N200 better than Core i7-3612QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3612QM is ahead with a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, N200 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, N200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

N200 is the better buy right now. N200 comes in $185 cheaper on MSRP at $193 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3612QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 98.7% better value on MSRP (24.5 vs 12.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

N200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2012), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1224, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-3612QM vs N200 Technical Specifications

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

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.

N200

The N200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 4,729 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3612QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the N200's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QM versus 3.7 GHz on the N200 — a 17.6% clock advantage for the N200. The Core i7-3612QM is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-3612QM scores 4,661 against the N200's 4,729 — a 1.4% lead for the N200. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3612QM vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N200.

Feature	Core i7-3612QM	N200
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	—
PassMark	4,661	4,729+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3612QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the N200 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3612QM	N200
Socket	FCBGA1224	FCBGA1264
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, EPT (Core i7-3612QM) / not specified (N200). The Core i7-3612QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the N200 requires 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	N200
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3612QM was priced at $378, while the N200 came in at $193. On launch pricing ($378 vs $193), N200 was $185 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3612QM delivers 12.3 pts/$ vs 24.5 pts/$ for the N200 — making the N200 the 66.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3612QM	N200
MSRP	$378	$193-49%
Performance per Dollar	12.3	24.5+99%
Release Date	2012	2023

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