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.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for basic office tasks but slow.
Slow for modern office tasks and multitasking.
Gaming
Cannot handle modern games.
Cannot run modern games; struggles with basic 3D.
Virtualization
Limited by 2 cores and low voltage.
Not recommended due to 2 cores.
Efficiency
Great efficiency for 2013, outdated now.
17W TDP was efficient in 2012, but outdated now.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware acceleration
- No AI hardware
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 is insufficient
- Thermal throttling limits sustained play
- HD 4000 is too weak
- Only suitable for older 2D games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
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- 22nm process is outdated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
- AMD A10-4655MRival
Mobile ULV APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3667URival
Mobile ULV
- AMD A8-4555MRival
Mobile ULV APU
- Intel Core i5-3317URival
Mobile ULV
Slightly slower but essentially identical
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-2467MAlt
Older generation ULV
- Intel Core i3-2367MAlt
Budget ULV dual-core
- Intel Pentium 987Alt
Low-end ULV
- Intel Celeron 1037UAlt
Cheaper ULV alternative
Intel Core i7-3667U
- AMD A10-4655MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-3427URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2677MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-4555MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3517URival
Mobile
Successor with better efficiency and performance.
Compare head-to-headModern budget CPU with vastly superior performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5300UAlt
Modern budget alternative.
Excellent modern ultrabook chip.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Unmatched efficiency for basic use.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewA 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 reviewFrequently 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.