i3-3120ME vs i3-2120

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2322not rated
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.14no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Power efficiency1.79no data
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date20 February 2011 (13 years ago)1 August 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$95no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME 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 speed3.3 GHz2.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz2.4 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size131 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °Cno data
Number of transistors504 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME 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
SocketFCLGA1155Intel BGA1023
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME 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 i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3unknown Dual-channel
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel HD 4000
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME.

PCIe version2.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no data

Pros & cons summary


Recency 20 February 2011 1 August 2012
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 35 Watt

i3-3120ME has an age advantage of 1 year, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 85.7% lower power consumption.

We couldn't decide between Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME. We've got no test results to judge.

Note that Core i3-2120 is a desktop processor while Core i3-3120ME is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-2120 and Core i3-3120ME, 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.


Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120
Intel Core i3-3120ME
Core i3-3120ME

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.4 1721 vote

Rate Core i3-2120 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.5 2 votes

Rate Core i3-3120ME on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-2120 or Core i3-3120ME, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.