CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-3635QM vs Intel Core i5-6350HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-3635QM is a high-performance mobile processor launched in late 2012 as part of the Ivy Bridge generation. Designed for premium laptops and mobile workstations, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering robust parallel processing capabilities. It operates at a base clock of 2.4 GHz and can boost up to 3.4 GHz using Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. Unlike the socketed 3630QM, the 3635QM utilizes a BGA 1224 package, meaning it is soldered directly to the motherboard. This allows for slightly thinner laptop designs but prevents CPU upgrades. With a 45-watt thermal design power, it balances high performance with the thermal constraints of premium mobile chassis. The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics offer capable multimedia decoding. This CPU was a popular choice for system integrators building compact, high-performance laptops where board space and component height were critical factors.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
8 threads handle everyday multitasking and office workloads without issues.
Quad-core performance handles everyday applications and moderate content creation well.
Gaming
Handles older or eSports titles well when paired with a discrete GPU.
Capable of playing older or well-optimized titles at 1080p thanks to the Iris Pro 580 graphics.
Virtualization
Can run light VMs, but limited by DDR3 bandwidth and 45W power.
Adequate for light virtual machine workloads but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
22nm Ivy Bridge is not as efficient as modern mobile processes.
The 14nm process and 45W TDP run warm compared to modern mobile chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- CPU inference is slow
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Iris Pro execution units can handle very basic inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Needs a discrete GPU for gaming
- Capable of 60fps in older titles
- Will bottleneck modern high-end mobile GPUs
- Iris Pro 580 provides playable framerates in older esports titles
- Lacks the horsepower of modern integrated solutions
- Benefited from 128MB eDRAM buffer for texture caching
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good quad-core performance for its era
- BGA design allows for thinner laptops
- Strong turbo boost frequencies
- Decent 6MB L3 cache
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard, cannot be upgraded
- Older 22nm process
- Supports only DDR3
- Weak integrated graphics
Pros
- Powerful Iris Pro 580 integrated graphics for its time
- True quad-core design for solid multitasking
- Configurable TDP for mobile flexibility
- Supports fast DDR4 memory
- Includes 128MB eDRAM cache
Cons
- End-of-life and outdated architecture
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- 45W TDP is inefficient by modern standards
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- Only 4 threads limits modern multitasking
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-3635QM
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3630QMRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3612QMRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3210MRival
Mobile
Newer Haswell architecture with better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
Modern mobile alternative with vastly superior efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
Much faster and more efficient for budget laptops.
- Alt
Incredible performance per watt.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-6350HQ
- AMD A10-8700PRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-8800PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-6700HQRival
Mobile
- NVIDIA GTX 950M (paired with standard CPU)Rival
Mobile Graphics
- AMD A12-9720PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-7700HQAlt
Offers 8 threads and better overall performance in the same form factor.
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500UAlt
A more modern alternative with Vega graphics and better efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
A quad-core low-power alternative with much better battery life.
- Alt
A revolutionary leap in mobile CPU and GPU efficiency and performance.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 3750HAlt
A newer mobile quad-core with superior integrated graphics performance.
Our Verdict on Each
A capable mobile CPU that provided excellent quad-core performance for laptops in its era, utilizing a space-saving BGA design.
Best for: Purchasing a budget, used laptop for basic tasks or retro gaming.
Read the full reviewA unique mobile processor that combined capable quad-core CPU performance with Intel's best integrated graphics of its era, though it is now outdated.
Best for: Purchasing a heavily discounted used laptop for basic retro gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-3635QM or Intel Core i5-6350HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-6350HQ comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. 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 i7-3635QM or Intel Core i5-6350HQ?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-6350HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i7-3635QM and Intel Core i5-6350HQ.
Do Intel Core i7-3635QM and Intel Core i5-6350HQ use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-3635QM: Intel BGA 1224, Intel Core i5-6350HQ: Intel BGA 1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-3635QM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-3635QM (4,900). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.