Intel Core i7-3612QM Mobiler SR0MQ 2.1GHz 4 Kern 6MB L3 PGA988B

The Intel Core i7-3612QM is a fast mobile quad-core processor based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. In summer 2012, the 3612QM is the fastest CPU with a TDP of 35 watts. Thanks to Hyperthreading, the 4 cores can process up to 8 threads simultaneously. In contrast to the predecessor Sandy Bridge, which was still produced in 32 nanometres, the production takes place in a smaller 22 nanometre process with 3D transistors. With a clock speed of 2.1 GHz (maximum Turbo: 2.8 GHz for 4 cores, 3.0 GHz for 2 cores, 3.1 GHz for 1 core), the i7-3612QM is below the i7-3610QM (2.3 GHz) and has a 6 MB L3 cache. The Core i7-3612QM is available for the plugged-in PGA988 socket and also as a BGA version for direct soldering. The BGA version also offers support for VT-d virtualisation as a special feature. Both lack vPro support. However, the remaining features such as VT-x or AES of the Ivy Bridge generation are supported.

Ivy Bridge is a die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture, which has only been improved in a few places. Among other things, PCI Express in the new version 3.0 and DDR3(L)-1600 are now supported. There were no changes in the feature set, which still includes, for example, the encryption technology AES-NI, the instruction set extension AVX and Turbo-Boost 2.0. The biggest changes were in the integrated processor graphics card and the multimedia features.

The performance of the i7-3612QM is about 5% higher than an equivalent clocked model of the Sandy Bridge architecture due to minor improvements in per-MHz performance. This positions the Core i7-3612QM in our benchmark tests at about the same level as a Core i7-2820QM of the previous generation. This is enough to master even demanding applications like HD video editing or current 3D games with ease.

The Intel HD Graphics 4000 integrated in the processor with 16 so-called Execution Units (EUs) is responsible for the graphics output. Using Turbo mode, the output clock rate can increase from 650 MHz to 1100 MHz. The performance is about 40 % higher than that of the predecessor (HD Graphics 3000), which means that the graphics solution of Llano (Radeon HD 6620G as the fastest model) is also just reached or partly surpassed.

In contrast to other quad-core models from Intel, the i7-3612QM has a TDP of only 35 watts, which also includes the graphics unit. This makes the CPU suitable for notebooks from 13-14 inches.