i3-6157U vs i7-3520M

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3520M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.80
+3.4%
Core i3-6157U
2016
2 cores / 4 threads, 28 Watt
1.74

Core i7-3520M outperforms Core i3-6157U by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking20062027
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i3
Power efficiency4.875.88
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Skylake (2015−2016)
Release date3 June 2012 (12 years ago)1 September 2016 (8 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$346$304

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed2.9 GHz2.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz2.4 GHz
Bus typeno dataOPI
Bus rate5 GT/s4 GT/s
Multiplierno data24
L1 cache64K (per core)128 KB
L2 cache256K (per core)512 KB
L3 cache4 MB (shared)3 MB
Chip lithography22 nm14 nm
Die size118 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature105 °C100 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCBGA1023,FCPGA988FCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt28 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
eDRAMno data64 MB
My WiFi++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Smart Responseno data+
Demand Based Switching-no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX-+
Identity Protection++
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3, DDR4
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s34.134 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 4000Intel Iris Graphics 550
Max video memoryno data32 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.25 GHz1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++
DVIno data+
SDVO+no data
CRT+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over VGAno dataN/A

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1612

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-3520M 1.80
+3.4%
i3-6157U 1.74

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-3520M 2866
+3.5%
i3-6157U 2770

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-3520M 573
i3-6157U 823
+43.6%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-3520M 1166
i3-6157U 1705
+46.2%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.80 1.74
Integrated graphics card 1.18 3.70
Recency 3 June 2012 1 September 2016
Chip lithography 22 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 35 Watt 28 Watt

i7-3520M has a 3.4% higher aggregate performance score.

i3-6157U, on the other hand, has 213.6% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 4 years, a 57.1% more advanced lithography process, and 25% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3520M and Core i3-6157U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3520M
Core i7-3520M
Intel Core i3-6157U
Core i3-6157U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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