i3-3210 vs i7-2960XM

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1647	2225
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	0.20
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7	no data
Power efficiency	5.14	2.43
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date	4 September 2011 (13 years ago)	1 January 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,096	$120

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210 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	8	4
Base clock speed	2.7 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.7 GHz	3.2 GHz
Bus rate	5 GT/s	5 GT/s
L1 cache	64K (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256K (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	8 MB (shared)	3072 KB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Die size	216 mm2	94 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	65 °C
Number of transistors	1,160 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210 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	1	1
Socket	FCPGA988	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	+
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
FDI	+	+
Fast Memory Access	+	no data

Security technologies

Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	32 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card Compare	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video	+	+
Clear Video HD	+	+
Graphics max frequency	1.3 GHz	1.05 GHz
InTru 3D	+	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	2	3
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	-
HDMI	+	-
SDVO	+	no data
CRT	+	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	16	no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	2.99	1.41
Integrated graphics card	0.66	0.69
Recency	4 September 2011	1 January 2013
Physical cores	4	2
Threads	8	4
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2960XM and Core i3-3210, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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