CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-3517UE vs Intel Core i3-1000G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-3517UE is a specialized ultra-low voltage mobile processor launched in June 2012 as part of the Ivy Bridge family. The 'UE' suffix denotes its focus on embedded and ultra-thin systems, operating at a 17-watt TDP. Built on Intel's 22nm process, it features 2 cores and 4 threads. The processor runs at a base clock of 1.7 GHz and can boost up to 2.8 GHz. It includes 4MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory. A standout feature of the 3517UE is its support for ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory, making it suitable for small-scale servers, industrial PCs, and critical embedded systems where data integrity is paramount. While its dual-core design limits multi-threaded performance, its combination of low power consumption, ECC support, and Intel HD Graphics 4000 makes it a versatile chip for specialized industrial applications rather than consumer laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Slow for modern office tasks but okay for basic embedded UI.
Basic office tasks run fine, but the 2-core CPU will choke on heavy Excel sheets or multiple browser tabs.
Gaming
Not intended for gaming.
The 48EU Iris Plus can actually run older e-sports titles like CS:GO or League of Legends at 720p/1080p low, a novelty for a 9W chip.
Virtualization
Capable of running one light VM, but limited by 2 cores.
Virtually impossible to run useful virtual machines on 2 cores and a 9W power limit.
Efficiency
17W TDP was efficient in 2012, but outdated now.
Outstanding efficiency that allows for all-day battery life in premium ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- DLBoost provides basic AI acceleration, but the 2-core CPU limits practical applications
Content Creation
Gaming
- Not intended for gaming
- HD 4000 is too weak for modern titles
- Can handle older e-sports titles at low settings thanks to the 48EU GPU
- The 2-core CPU will bottleneck heavily in any CPU-intensive game scene
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- ECC memory support
- 17W TDP for fanless designs
- VT-x and VT-d virtualization
- HD 4000 graphics
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- Very slow for modern tasks
- No Windows 11 support
- Soldered to motherboard
Pros
- 48EU Iris Plus graphics are surprisingly capable for a 9W chip
- True fanless operation is possible, resulting in zero noise
- 10nm process provides excellent idle battery life
- Can drive multiple 4K external displays
- Supports hardware-accelerated video encoding
Cons
- Only 2 CPU cores make modern Windows 11 feel incredibly sluggish
- Base clock of 1.1 GHz is too low for snappy UI responsiveness
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
- Completely obsolete for any modern productivity workflow
- Soldered RAM and CPU mean no upgrade path
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-3517UE
- AMD Embedded G-T40NRival
Embedded
- Intel Core i7-2655LERival
Embedded
- Intel Core i5-3517UERival
Embedded
- AMD Embedded R-464LRival
Embedded
- Intel Atom E3827Rival
Embedded
- Intel Core i7-4600UEAlt
Successor with better performance and efficiency.
Modern embedded alternative with 6 cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605BAlt
Modern embedded alternative with Vega graphics.
Quad-core alternative with ECC support.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Atom C3758Alt
Modern low-power embedded alternative.
Intel Core i3-1000G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200URival
Budget Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-1000G1Rival
Lower-Tier Ice Lake-Y
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Mainstream Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1035G4Rival
Higher-Tier Ice Lake-U
- Apple A12Z BionicRival
Tablet/ARM
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
A modern 6-core Windows laptop CPU that offers vastly superior multitasking.
- Intel N100Alt
For low-power tasks, this modern chip offers 4 efficiency cores and better performance.
A modern 10-core (2P+8E) Alder Lake chip that redefines low-power laptop performance.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
If open to macOS, the efficiency and performance gap is monumental.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A reliable 2012 embedded chip with ECC support, but too slow for modern consumer workloads.
Best for: If you are considering the Intel Core i7-3517UE, you are likely maintaining an older industrial PC or a specialized embedded system. This processor should not be sought for consumer use, as its dual-core design is severely outdated for modern multitasking and productivity workloads. It is only recommended if you need to keep a specific legacy system running that requires a direct replacement part with ECC memory support. Avoid using this CPU for general web browsing or modern office work, as its performance is too low and inefficient. It is best utilized in its original context: low-power, always-on embedded systems where stability is paramount. For any new industrial builds, modern embedded processors offer vastly superior performance, security, and power efficiency.
Read the full reviewThe i3-1000G4 offered a compelling graphics upgrade over the G1 for ultra-thin Windows devices in 2019, but its 2-core CPU severely limits its usefulness today.
Best for: Consider a laptop with the i3-1000G4 only if it is being given away for free or costs under $50, and you need a disposable machine for basic word processing or playing old 2D games. The 48EU graphics are genuinely capable for legacy gaming, which might appeal to retro gamers looking for a silent, portable machine.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-3517UE or Intel Core i3-1000G4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-3517UE comes out ahead with a score of 5/10. 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 i7-3517UE or Intel Core i3-1000G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-1000G4 leads with a gaming performance score of 15/100 among Intel Core i7-3517UE and Intel Core i3-1000G4.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-1000G4 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-3517UE (17 W), Intel Core i3-1000G4 (9 W).
Do Intel Core i7-3517UE and Intel Core i3-1000G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-3517UE: Intel BGA 1023, Intel Core i3-1000G4: BGA 1377), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-1000G4 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-1000G4 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.