Intel Core Processor: i5-3230M or i7-3632QM?

Hey everyone,

Having a hard time deciding between two processors (mostly due to a lack of knowledge!).

Trying to decide between:

Intel Core i5-3230M Processor (3.20GHz, 3MB Cache, 1600MHz)​

and

Intel Core i7-3632QM Processor (6M Cache, 2.20 GHz)​

The 1GHz difference is what I'm concerned about. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[For context: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thinkpad-edge-x1-x100e-x120e-sl-l/729233-thinkpad-edge-e531-specs.html ]

 

Quad is faster most of the time, but consumes more power = less bettery life.

Take a look at this:

Intel Core i7 3632QM vs i5 3230M

 

You got the spec sheet wrong. The i5-3230M is 2.6-3.2 GHz, while the i7-3632QM is 2.2-3.2 GHz. If you look at the Turbo bins, the i7 is actually faster all-around no matter how many cores are loaded. Plus, they have the same 35W TDP so power consumption should be around the same. The i7 is almost twice as fast when all its cores are utilized, and it's still faster when just 2 cores are loaded, so definitely get the i7 if you can.

 

aw Ninja-ed, but yeah I was about to say the TDP are both 35W, and get i7 if you can.
Unless if price difference is important to you and you don't need the additional processing power.

 

Great - I'll definitely go with the i7 so (difference in price is marginal to be honest)!

 

The 3632qm is almost twice as fast as the 3230m, so it's the better choice. Ivy Bridge has extremely good power saving features, so both of these processors will use the same amount of power and generate the same amount of heat running any applications - while the quad has a big advantage if you ever run something really processor intensive.