i3-2120 vs i7-2760QM

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-2760QM
2011
4 cores / 8 threads, 45 Watt
2.76
+124%
Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23

Core i7-2760QM outperforms Core i3-2120 by a whopping 124% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking16982323
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.14
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7no data
Power efficiency5.801.79
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date4 September 2011 (13 years ago)20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$378$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.4 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate4 × 5 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier24no data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size216 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C69 °C
Number of transistors1,160 million504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1224,FCPGA988FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)45 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI+-
FMA+-
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Demand Based Switching-no data
FDI++
Fast Memory Access++

Security technologies

Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.598 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 3000Intel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.3 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported22
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
SDVO+no data
CRT+no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120.

PCIe version2.02.0
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.

i7-2760QM 2.76
+124%
i3-2120 1.23

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.

i7-2760QM 4392
+125%
i3-2120 1956

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.

i7-2760QM 537
+8%
i3-2120 497

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.

i7-2760QM 1630
+59.5%
i3-2120 1022

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.76 1.23
Integrated graphics card 0.66 0.55
Recency 4 September 2011 20 February 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Power consumption (TDP) 45 Watt 65 Watt

i7-2760QM has a 124.4% higher aggregate performance score, 20% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 6 months, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and 44.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-2760QM is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i7-2760QM is a notebook processor while Core i3-2120 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2760QM and Core i3-2120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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


Intel Core i7-2760QM
Core i7-2760QM
Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-2760QM or Core i3-2120, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.