Core i7-3667U
VS
Core i5-3210M

Core i7-3667U vs Core i5-3210M

Intel

Core i7-3667U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

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 i7-3667U is positioned at rank 1197 and the Core i5-3210M is on rank 158, so the Core i5-3210M 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 i7-3667U

#1184
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
5383%
#1185
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
5305%
#1186
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
4870%
#1187
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
4848%
#1188
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
4803%
#1190
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
4639%
#1191
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
4448%
#1192
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
4440%
#1193
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
4321%
#1197
Core i7-3667U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1198
Celeron 560
MSRP: $89|Avg: $5
98%
#1199
Core i3-2312M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
97%
#1200
Celeron 857
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
97%
#1201
Celeron 925
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
96%
#1202
Core 2 Duo E8135
MSRP: $200|Avg: $15
94%
#1203
Core 2 Duo U7700
MSRP: $262|Avg: $10
94%
#1204
Core Duo T2400
MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A
93%
#1205
Core 2 Duo U7600
MSRP: $250|Avg: $5
93%
#1206
Pentium M 735
MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A
91%
#1207
Core i7-620LM
MSRP: $300|Avg: N/A
90%
#1208
Core i7-740QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
89%
#1210
Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP: $262|Avg: $50
87%
#1211
Celeron 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
87%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3210M

#42
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A
100%
#146
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
333%
#147
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
328%
#148
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
301%
#149
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
300%
#150
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
297%
#152
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
287%
#153
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
275%
#154
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
274%
#155
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
267%
#158
Core i5-3210M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
100%
#173
Celeron N3060
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3667U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3210M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i7-3667UCore i5-3210M
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i7-3667UCore i5-3210M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)

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 i7-3667U and Core i5-3210M

Intel

Core i7-3667U

The Core i7-3667U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,451 points. Launch price was $346.

Intel

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3667U and Core i5-3210M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3667U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3667U (base: 2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-3667U scores 2,451 against the Core i5-3210M's 2,469 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-3210M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3667U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3210M.

FeatureCore i7-3667UCore i5-3210M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz+3%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)+33%
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
22 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
2,451
2,469
Geekbench 6 Single
600
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,400
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1023 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-3667U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3210M — the Core i7-3667U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3667U) and HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M).

FeatureCore i7-3667UCore i5-3210M
Socket
BGA1023
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
1600+53233%
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32
32 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-3667U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3667U) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3210M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3667U rivals AMD A10-4655M; Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

FeatureCore i7-3667UCore i5-3210M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop