Core i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1200

Intel

Core i7-3615QE

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 1200

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2017
Similar parts
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Core i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 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 i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1200: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3615QE

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 51.5 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Ryzen 3 PRO 1200

2017

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Costs $291 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
  • Delivers 266.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.5 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3615QE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (5,609 vs 5,617).
  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3615QE better than Ryzen 3 PRO 1200?
Yes. Core i7-3615QE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3615QE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3615QE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-3615QE is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-3615QE comes in 267.0% more expensive on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $109 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 5,609 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-3615QE

The Core i7-3615QE 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: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,617 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 1200

The Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i7-3615QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QE versus 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 — a 3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-3615QE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3615QE scores 5,617 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200's 5,609 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-3615QE. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3615QE vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200.

FeatureCore i7-3615QERyzen 3 PRO 1200
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.4 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
3.1 GHz+35%
L3 Cache
6144 kB (total)
8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark
5,617
5,609
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3615QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-3615QERyzen 3 PRO 1200
Socket
BGA1023
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3615QE was priced at $400, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 came in at $109. On launch pricing ($400 vs $109), Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 was $291 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3615QE delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 51.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 — making the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 the 114.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-3615QERyzen 3 PRO 1200
MSRP
$400
$109-73%
Performance per Dollar
14.0
51.5+268%
Release Date
2012
2017

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