CPU Comparison

Intel Core i5-3437U vs Intel Core i7-3667U

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3437U is an ultra-low voltage dual-core mobile processor from the third-generation Ivy Bridge lineup, launched in early 2013. Designed specifically for thin-and-light ultrabooks, it operates with a 17-watt thermal design power, enabling deployment in sleek, portable form factors. The processor features two physical cores and four threads, utilizing Hyper-Threading to handle parallel tasks. It runs at a base frequency of 1.9 GHz and can turbo boost up to 2.9 GHz when thermal headroom allows. Built on Intel's 22-nanometer process, it integrates 3 MB of L3 cache and Intel HD Graphics 4000, which features a base frequency of 350 MHz and a max dynamic frequency of 1200 MHz. The 3437U is a slight clock speed bump over the 3337U, offering marginally better performance in bursty workloads. It was engineered to provide a responsive computing experience while maximizing battery life, making it a staple in premium business and consumer ultrabooks of its era.

Top pick
Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-3437U
2C / 4T2.9 GHz17 W
5.2
Full review
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-3667U
2C / 4T3.2 GHz17 W
4
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile Ultra-Low Voltage
Mobile
Generation
3rd Generation
3rd Gen Core i7
Launched
2013
2012
Status
Discontinued
End-of-life
Codename
Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge
Series
Core i5
Core i7
Family
Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge
Predecessor
Sandy Bridge ULV
Intel Core i7-2677M
Successor
Haswell ULV
Intel Core i7-4500U

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
2
2
Threads
4
4
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
2 GHz
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz
3.2 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
3 MB
4 MB
TDP
17 W
17 W
Architecture
Architecture
Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge
Process Node
22nm
22nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3-1600
1600 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
16 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1023
Intel BGA 1023
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i5-3437UBest37

Adequate for basic office tasks but slow.

Intel Core i7-3667U25

Slow for modern office tasks and multitasking.

Gaming

Intel Core i5-3437UBest22

Cannot handle modern games.

Intel Core i7-3667U10

Cannot run modern games; struggles with basic 3D.

Virtualization

Intel Core i5-3437UBest28

Limited by 2 cores and low voltage.

Intel Core i7-3667U10

Not recommended due to 2 cores.

Efficiency

Intel Core i5-3437UBest60

Great efficiency for 2013, outdated now.

Intel Core i7-3667U30

17W TDP was efficient in 2012, but outdated now.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i5-3437UNone
  • No AI hardware acceleration
Intel Core i7-3667UNone
  • No AI hardware

Content Creation

Intel Core i5-3437UPoor
Basic Photo Viewing
Intel Core i7-3667UNone
Basic Photo Viewing

Gaming

Intel Core i5-3437UPoor
  • HD 4000 is insufficient
  • Thermal throttling limits sustained play
Intel Core i7-3667UNone
  • HD 4000 is too weak
  • Only suitable for older 2D games

Industry Impact

Gaming
None
Low
Workstations
None
Low
Content Creation
Low
Low
Virtualization
Low
None

Best CPU by Use Case

Web Browsing
Poor
Fair
Office Applications
Fair
1080p Video
Good
Modern Gaming
Poor
Video Editing
Poor
Office Productivity
Fair
1080p Video Playback
Good
Light Multitasking
Poor
Programming
Poor

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students
Targeted
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i5-3437U

Pros

  • Good battery life
  • Low 17W TDP
  • Slightly faster than 3337U
  • Good for basic media playback

Cons

  • Obsolete performance
  • Soldered to motherboard
  • Low base clock
  • No Windows 11 support
  • Weak integrated graphics
Intel Core i7-3667U

Pros

  • Was efficient in 2012
  • Good single-core burst performance
  • 17W TDP
  • Enabled thin-and-light designs

Cons

  • Only 2 cores
  • Very slow for modern tasks
  • No Windows 11 support
  • 22nm process is outdated

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i5-3437U

Intel Core i7-3667U

Our Verdict on Each

A marginal upgrade over the 3337U, offering slightly better burst performance for legacy laptops.

Best for: Using an existing legacy business laptop for basic tasks.

Read the full review

A top-tier 2012 ultrabook chip, but its dual-core design is too slow for modern multitasking.

Best for: When considering the Intel Core i7-3667U today, it should only be purchased in the used market at a rock-bottom price. It remains capable of basic web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, but its 2-core design is a major bottleneck for modern multitasking and heavy web applications. Avoid purchasing a laptop with this CPU if you need to do any modern productivity work, video editing, or gaming. It is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who need a cheap, secondary machine for light web browsing or for students who need a basic word processor on the go. For any primary computing needs, investing in a newer platform is strongly recommended for better efficiency, security, and overall performance.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i5-3437U or Intel Core i7-3667U?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3437U comes out ahead with a score of 5.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-3437U or Intel Core i7-3667U?

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3437U leads with a gaming performance score of 22/100 among Intel Core i5-3437U and Intel Core i7-3667U.

Do Intel Core i5-3437U and Intel Core i7-3667U use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1023 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i5-3437U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3437U (2,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.