Core i7-3520M

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-3520M

Sysbuilds Alpha Stage!

Please take all results with a big grain of salt. Sysbuilds is in alpha stage at the moment which can lead to wrong data, strange counting errors, silly results and more. This site is under active development.

Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i7-3520M based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,712 Rank: 1094
Rank Name Score Visual
1090 Core i7-3612QM 4,716
+0.1%
1091 A6-7470K 4,716
+0.1%
1092 Core i3-6100TE 4,713
+0%
1093 Core i7-4600U 4,713
+0%
1094 Core i7-3520M 4,712
1095 Core i7-2820QM 4,709
-0.1%
1096 Core i5-5300U 4,708
-0.1%
1097 Xeon D-1559 4,707
-0.1%
1098 Core i7-3940XM 4,705
-0.1%
1099 Core i5-3340 4,705
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-3520M based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,493 Rank: 1242
Rank Name Score Visual
1238 A12-9800E 4,494
+0%
1239 A10-6700 4,494
+0%
1240 Phenom II X6 1035T 4,494
+0%
1241 Core i7-960 4,494
+0%
1242 Core i7-3520M 4,493
1243 Ryzen 3 2200U 4,491
+-0%
1244 Core i7-875K 4,491
+-0%
1245 Athlon II X4 651 4,490
-0.1%
1246 Phenom II X6 1090T 4,489
-0.1%
1247 Core M 5Y10 4,488
-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-3520M based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,858 Rank: 1035
Rank Name Score Visual
1031 Core i3-4330T 4,864
+0.1%
1032 Celeron G3930T 4,863
+0.1%
1033 Core i7-6500U 4,860
+0%
1034 Core i5-3330S 4,860
+0%
1035 Core i7-3520M 4,858
1036 Core i7 975 4,856
+-0%
1037 Core i3-6100TE 4,850
-0.2%
1038 Celeron G3930 4,850
-0.2%
1039 Core i5-2450P 4,849
-0.2%
1040 Pentium G4400T 4,848
-0.2%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i7-3520M based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,547 Rank: 1185
Rank Name Score Visual
1181 Pentium G3450 4,548
+0%
1182 Pentium N6415 4,548
+0%
1183 Pentium G4520 4,547
+0%
1184 Core i5-5287U 4,547
+0%
1185 Core i7-3520M 4,547
1186 Core i7-4558U 4,547
+0%
1187 A12-9720P 4,547
+0%
1188 Core i5-4300M 4,546
+-0%
1189 Core i3-3220 4,546
+-0%
1190 Core i5-3380M 4,546
+-0%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-3520M based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,525 Rank: 1189
Rank Name Score Visual
1185 Core i3-1000NG4 4,526
+0%
1186 Core i7-6560U 4,525
+0%
1187 Core i7-6500U 4,525
+0%
1188 Core i3-3240 4,525
+0%
1189 Core i7-3520M 4,525
1190 A10-5700 4,525
+0%
1191 A6-3670 4,525
+0%
1192 Core i5-2560M 4,524
+-0%
1193 Core i7-5650U 4,524
+-0%
1194 Core i7-4558U 4,524
+-0%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-3520M based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,547 Rank: 1122
Rank Name Score Visual
1118 Core i7-4510U 4,548
+0%
1119 Core i3-5157U 4,548
+0%
1120 Core i3-6100U 4,547
+0%
1121 A10-7890K 4,547
+0%
1122 Core i7-3520M 4,547
1123 Core i5-5257U 4,547
+0%
1124 Core i5-3380M 4,547
+0%
1125 A10-7870K 4,547
+0%
1126 Core i5-5300U 4,547
+0%
1127 Core i3-3240 4,546
+-0%

View full ranking →

Core i7-3520M Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i7-3520M remains a notable example of mid-tier mobile performance from the Ivy Bridge era, launched in June 2012. Despite its age, the processor holds a competitive edge in certain workloads due to its balanced design and integrated graphics capabilities. The i7-3520M features a dual-core architecture with Hyper-Threading, enabling four logical threads, and operates at a base frequency of 2.9 GHz with a turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz. Built on Intel's 22 nm process, it integrates 4 MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory with a maximum capacity of 32 GB. Its 35 W TDP ensures efficient power use, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops of its time.

The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics deliver up to 1250 MHz in burst mode and support up to three displays, offering capable performance for light gaming and multimedia tasks. The processor supports a range of modern instruction sets, including AVX, AES-NI, and virtualization technologies such as VT-x and VT-d, enabling secure and efficient virtual machine operation. While it lacks ECC memory support and has a locked multiplier, limiting overclocking potential, it remains stable under sustained loads.

In benchmark testing, the i7-3520M achieves an Overall Score of 4712, placing it at #1094 out of 2060 processors, with a Singlecore Score of 4858 (#1035) and a Multicore Score of 4493 (#1242). These results place it just behind higher-tier mobile processors like the Core i7-4600U and ahead of older quad-core designs such as the Core i7-2820QM. While its single-core performance is respectable, its multicore performance is more modest, reflecting the limitations of its dual-core design in modern multi-threaded applications.

The i7-3520M’s positioning is best suited for users who prioritize integrated graphics and power efficiency over raw performance. It remains a viable option for basic productivity, web browsing, and light content creation, particularly in older laptops still in use. However, in today's computing landscape, it falls well behind contemporary processors, with even mid-range modern CPUs like the Ryzen 5 9600X outperforming it by a significant margin. For users requiring high performance, the i7-3520M should be considered a legacy solution rather than a current choice.
Frequently Compared

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Intel Xeon W-3245M 16 views

AMD EPYC 7452 14 views

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Intel Core i7-3520M

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-3520M
Model Number: i7-3520M
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 2900 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 29x (locked)
Core Name: Ivy Bridge
Socket: FCBGA1023, FCPGA988
Package: FC-PGA12F
Target Segment: Mobile
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 35 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 62.464 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 3.815 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 3.0
PCIe Lanes: 16
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 4000
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1250 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 22 nm
Die Area: 118 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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