Core i7-620M vs Core i7-3689Y

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 i7-620M vs Core i7-3689Y 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 i7-620M vs Core i7-3689Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-620M

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (350 vs 507).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (800 vs 1,100).

Core i7-3689Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+44.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3689Y better than Core i7-620M?

Yes. Core i7-3689Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data, 37.5% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3689Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% more average FPS across 29 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3689Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 37.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-3689Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-3689Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-3689Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-620M vs Core i7-3689Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-620M

The Core i7-620M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,976 points. Launch price was $332.

Core i7-3689Y

The Core i7-3689Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,967 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-620M and Core i7-3689Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-620M versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-3689Y — a 24.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-620M (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-620M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3689Y uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-620M scores 1,976 against the Core i7-3689Y's 1,967 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-620M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 507, a 36.6% lead for the Core i7-3689Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 800 vs 1,100 (31.6% advantage for the Core i7-3689Y). Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-620M	Core i7-3689Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.33 GHz+28%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+77%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,976	1,967
Geekbench 6 Single	350	507+45%
Geekbench 6 Multi	800	1,100+38%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-620M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3689Y uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-620M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-3689Y — the Core i7-3689Y supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-3689Y supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,QM57,HM57,QS57 (Core i7-620M) and HM77,QM77 (Core i7-3689Y).

Feature	Core i7-620M	Core i7-3689Y
Socket	PGA988	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	32 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Core i7-620M) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3689Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-620M targets Performance Laptop, Core i7-3689Y targets Ultra-Low Power Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-620M rivals Core 2 Duo T9600; Core i7-3689Y rivals AMD A10-4655M.

Feature	Core i7-620M	Core i7-3689Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Ultra-Low Power Laptop