Core i3-2100 vs Core 2 Extreme QX9300

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2273	2256
Place by popularity	not in top-100	77
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	0.28
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Core 2 Extreme	no data
Architecture codename	Penryn (2008−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	August 2008 (15 years ago)	20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	no data	$73
Current price	$844	$70 (1x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100 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 cores	4 (Quad-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	4	4
Base clock speed	2.53 GHz	3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed	2.53 GHz	3.1 GHz
Bus support	1066 MHz	no data
L1 cache	64 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	12 MB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	0 KB	3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	45 nm	32 nm
Die size	2x 107 mm2	131 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	69 °C
Number of transistors	no data	504 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
VID voltage range	1.05V-1.175V	no data

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100 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 configuration	2	1
Socket	PGA478	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	45 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	no data	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	no data	-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	-	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	-	+
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	no data	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
FDI	no data	+
Fast Memory Access	no data	+
AMT	+	no data
FSB parity	-	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100 are enumerated here.

VT-d	no data	-
VT-x	+	+
EPT	no data	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	no data	DDR3
Maximum memory size	no data	32 GB
Max memory channels	no data	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	no data	21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	Intel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video	no data	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.1 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100.

PCIe version	no data	2.0
PCI Express lanes	no data	16

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.

Core i3-2100 outperforms Core 2 Extreme QX9300 by 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	1.17	1.20
Physical cores	4	2
Chip lithography	45 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	45 Watt	65 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i3-2100, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---