i3-3120M vs i3-4170T

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Aggregate performance score

Core i3-4170T
2015
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
2.03
+89.7%
Core i3-3120M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.07

Core i3-4170T outperforms Core i3-3120M by an impressive 90% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19232428
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i3
Power efficiency5.492.89
Architecture codenameHaswell (2013−2015)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date30 March 2015 (9 years ago)30 September 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$160

Detailed specifications

Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M 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 speed3.2 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz2.5 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size177 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data90C (PGA); 105C (BGA)
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M 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
SocketFCLGA1150FCBGA1023,FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® AVX
AES-NI+-
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology--
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d--
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 4400Intel HD Graphics 4000
Max video memory2 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++
DVI+no data
VGA+no data
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over VGA1920x1200@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX11.1/12no data
OpenGL4.3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M.

PCIe versionUp to 3.02.0
PCI Express lanes1616

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.

i3-4170T 2.03
+89.7%
i3-3120M 1.07

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.

i3-4170T 3218
+89.9%
i3-3120M 1695

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.

i3-4170T 966
+142%
i3-3120M 399

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.

i3-4170T 1918
+134%
i3-3120M 820

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.03 1.07
Integrated graphics card 1.36 1.18
Recency 30 March 2015 30 September 2012

i3-4170T has a 89.7% higher aggregate performance score, 15.3% faster integrated GPU, and an age advantage of 2 years.

The Core i3-4170T is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3120M in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-4170T is a desktop processor while Core i3-3120M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-4170T and Core i3-3120M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-4170T
Core i3-4170T
Intel Core i3-3120M
Core i3-3120M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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