Quick Verdict
A great low-power quad-core mobile CPU for 2012, offering excellent efficiency, but its lower clocks limit single-threaded performance.
Overview
Launch
2012
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
3rd Gen
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i7-3612QM is a high-performance mobile processor launched in April 2012 as part of the Ivy Bridge lineup. This 22nm quad-core CPU features Hyper-Threading, allowing it to process 8 threads concurrently. It operates at a base frequency of 2.1 GHz and boosts up to 3.1 GHz. The key differentiator of this SKU is its 35W TDP, significantly lower than the standard 45W found on the i7-3610QM, making it ideal for thinner gaming laptops and portable workstations. The processor is available in both Socket G2 (rPGA988B) and BGA 1224 formats. It includes 6MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 handles basic display outputs and media decoding. The i7-3612QM offered an excellent compromise for users who wanted quad-core multi-threaded performance without the extreme heat and battery drain of higher-wattage mobile chips.
The Core i7-3612QM brought quad-core performance to the 35W thermal envelope. With 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 3.1 GHz turbo, it balanced power and heat for thinner laptops.
Its dual socket/BGA design offered flexibility for OEMs.
Specifications
Performance
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Ivy Bridge
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i7-3612QM is built on the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture, utilizing Intel's 22nm Tri-Gate process. The architecture features 4 physical cores with Hyper-Threading and 6MB of shared L3 cache. It supports 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0 natively, a major upgrade over the PCIe 2.0 limit of previous generations. The primary architectural distinction of this SKU is its strict 35W TDP binning. To achieve this lower power envelope, Intel reduced the base clock to 2.1 GHz, ensuring the chip stays within thermal limits during sustained all-core workloads. The integrated memory controller supports dual-channel DDR3-1600. The processor integrates Intel HD Graphics 4000 with 16 Execution Units, dynamically scaling up to 1100 MHz. The availability of both Socket G2 and BGA 1224 packages provided OEMs with the choice between modularity and space-saving designs, allowing quad-core performance to fit into thinner chassis without resorting to extreme cooling solutions.
CPU Design
4 cores, 8 threads, locked, 22nm process.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- 22nm process node
- PCIe 3.0 support
- Improved HD 4000 graphics
Key Highlights
- Lower 35W TDP for thinner designs
- Solid quad-core multi-threading
- Available in socketed design for upgrades
- Good balance of power and efficiency
- Low 2.1 GHz base clock
- Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
- Lacks official Windows 11 support
- HD 4000 graphics are weak
History
Launched in April 2012, the Core i7-3612QM addressed a specific need in the mobile market: quad-core performance in a constrained thermal envelope. As gaming laptops began to shrink, the standard 45W TDP of chips like the i7-3610QM proved too hot for thinner chassis. The 3612QM solved this by lowering the TDP to 35W and reducing the base clock to 2.
1 GHz. This allowed manufacturers to build thinner, more portable systems that still offered 8 threads of processing power. It was a popular choice for mid-range multimedia laptops and thinner gaming rigs, bridging the gap between ultra-low voltage dual-cores and heavy desktop replacements.
The 3612QM also offered dual packaging, available in both socketed and soldered formats. It demonstrated Intel's strategy of binning silicon to fit every possible market niche, ensuring that even users with thinner laptops could access workstation-class multitasking capabilities without melting their keyboards.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 22nm process node
- PCIe 3.0 support
- Improved HD 4000 graphics
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Upgrading an old Socket G2 laptop for cheap
Avoid if…
- You need high single-core speeds
- You are buying a new laptop
- You want DDR4 memory
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 'QM' suffix denotes a mobile quad-core processor, but the '2' indicates a lower TDP (35W).
Contains 1.4 billion transistors on a 160 mm² die.
Part numbers include SR0MQ and SR0MR.
Can be found in both rPGA988B and FC-BGA1224 packages.
Features HD 4000 graphics with a max dynamic frequency of 1100 MHz.
Often found in thinner multimedia laptops like the Acer Aspire TimelineU.
Can be swapped for an i7-3610QM if cooling allows.
Supports Intel Wireless Display (WiDi).
Launched alongside the initial Ivy Bridge mobile wave.
Max TDP is 35W.
People Also Ask
Is the i7-3612QM good for gaming?
It can handle older games fine, but its lower clock speeds will bottleneck modern GPUs more than the 3610QM.
Can the i7-3612QM be overclocked?
No, it has a locked multiplier.
What is the TDP of the i7-3612QM?
It has a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 35 Watts, lower than the standard 45W mobile quad-cores.
Does the i7-3612QM have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes Intel HD Graphics 4000.
What socket does the i7-3612QM use?
It uses either Intel Socket G2 (988B) or BGA 1224 depending on the laptop.
Does it support Hyper-Threading?
Yes, it has 4 cores and 8 threads.
What memory does it support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory.
What is the max turbo of the i7-3612QM?
The maximum turbo boost is 3.1 GHz.
Can I upgrade the i7-3612QM in my laptop?
Yes, if it uses the Socket G2 version, it can be upgraded to a faster MQ chip if cooling allows.
Does it support PCIe 3.0?
Yes, it supports 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base clock of the i7-3612QM?
The base clock is 2.1 GHz.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has 6 MB of L3 cache.
What generation is the i7-3612QM?
It is a 3rd Generation Intel Core processor (Ivy Bridge).
Is the i7-3612QM unlocked?
No, it has a locked multiplier.
What is the max graphics dynamic frequency?
The HD 4000 graphics can boost up to 1100 MHz.
What is the max memory bandwidth?
The max memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s.
Does it support AVX?
Yes, it supports AVX instructions.
Can it run Windows 11?
Officially unsupported, but workarounds exist.
Is it good for video editing?
It is decent for 1080p editing, but its lower clocks make it slower than the 3610QM.
Does it support VT-d?
Yes, it supports Intel Virtualization Technology.