
Core i7-680UM vs Core i3-2312M

Core i7-680UM

Core i3-2312M
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 i7-680UM is positioned at rank 1036 and the Core i3-2312M is on rank 1200, so the Core i7-680UM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-680UM
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2312M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-680UM | Core i3-2312M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-680UM | Core i3-2312M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
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 i7-680UM and Core i3-2312M

Core i7-680UM
The Core i7-680UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.46 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,196 points. Launch price was $317.

Core i3-2312M
The Core i3-2312M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,189 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-680UM and Core i3-2312M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i7-680UM versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2312M — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-680UM (base: 1.46 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-680UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-2312M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-680UM scores 1,196 against the Core i3-2312M's 1,189 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-680UM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-680UM vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2312M.
| Feature | Core i7-680UM | Core i3-2312M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.53 GHz+20% | 2.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.46 GHz | 2.1 GHz+44% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,196 | 1,189 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 731 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-680UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2312M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-680UM | Core i3-2312M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-680UM) / true (Core i3-2312M). The Core i3-2312M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-680UM requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i7-680UM | Core i3-2312M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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