Ivy Bridge has almost six months behind it and Intel has started sneaking out new models for notebooks. First to be updated is the cheapest version of the Core i7-3600QM series and as usual it is a small boost in frequency.
At the launch of Ivy Bridge we tested MSI GT70 that used Intel’s cheapest solution with four cores; Core i7-3610QM. Despite what could be considered a budget model performance was on par with desktop models. The successor Core i7-3630QM has been listed and the changes are not big, but well worth mentioning.
The new Core i7-3630QM is on the large side identical to Core i7-3610QM and the only difference is a higher clock frequency, with 100 MHz. This means the base frequency is at 2,4 GHz with max turbo at 3.4 GHz, but in nine cases out of ten it will operate at 3.2 GHz, which is good since it has four cores, Hyper-threading 45 W TDP.
| Model | Core i7-3612QM | Core i7-3632QM | Core i7-3610QM | Core i7-3630QM |
| Node | 22 nanometer P1270 | |||
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | |||
| Cores | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Clock frequency | 2.1 GHz | 2.2 GHz | 2.3 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Turbo (Multiple threads) |
2.9 GHz | 3.0 GHz | 3.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Turbo (One thread) |
3.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.3 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | 6 MB | 6 MB | 6 MB | 6 MB |
| Graphics | HD 4000 | HD 4000 | HD 4000 | HD 4000 |
| Graphics frequency | 650 MHz | 650 MHz | 650 MHz | 650 MHz |
| Graphics turbo | 1 100 MHz | 1 100 MHz | 1 100 MHz | 1 100 MHz |
| TDP | 35W | 35W | 45W | 45W |
The refreshed Ivy Bridge architecture and a new manufacturing technology as allowed Intel to offer quad-core processors with lower TDPs 35 watt. What makes this special is that 35 W is more or less standard on the market. This means partners does not have to spend money on developing new cooling and cases, but can use existing solutions.
Core i7-3612QM will be replaced by Core i7-3632QM and it has also been lifted by 100 MHz. This model is identical to Core i7-3630QM besides the overall frequency being 200 MHz lower in all modes. Considering the lower TDP this is a fair compromise.
The energy efficient Core i7-3632QM is already being used in Razer’s latest version of the game computer Blade and we have seen Core i7-3630QM listed by Alienware. It is only a matter of time before it will be in stores. We expect Core i7-3632QM and Core i7-3630QM to replace Core i7-3612QM and Core i7-3610QM.
Can you tell us the price of Core i7-3632QM processor in retail market.
I am unable to find this in Amazon.