i3-2120T vs i3-3240T

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-3240T
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.31
+33.7%
Core i3-2120T
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
0.98

Core i3-3240T outperforms Core i3-2120T by a substantial 34% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking22722488
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.15
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency3.482.60
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date3 September 2012 (12 years ago)4 September 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$50

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T 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 speed2.9 GHz2.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3 GHz2.6 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
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 lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size94 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data65 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)65 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T 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
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key-no data
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T are enumerated here.

VT-d--
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 2500Intel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported32

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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.

i3-3240T 1.31
+33.7%
i3-2120T 0.98

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-3240T 2046
+33.9%
i3-2120T 1528

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i3-3240T 465
+16%
i3-2120T 401

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i3-3240T 1012
+32.6%
i3-2120T 763

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.31 0.98
Integrated graphics card 0.69 0.55
Recency 3 September 2012 4 September 2011
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm

i3-3240T has a 33.7% higher aggregate performance score, 25.5% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 11 months, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i3-3240T is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120T in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240T and Core i3-2120T, 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 i3-3240T
Core i3-3240T
Intel Core i3-2120T
Core i3-2120T

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.


4.4 11 votes

Rate Core i3-3240T on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
2.9 22 votes

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

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-3240T or Core i3-2120T, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.