i3-2100 vs i7-3960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1170	2356
Place by popularity	not in top-100	100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.37	0.28
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i7 (Desktop)	no data
Power efficiency	3.87	1.70
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	14 November 2011 (13 years ago)	20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$861	$73

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-3960X has 32% better value for money than i3-2100.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100 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	6 (Hexa-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	12	4
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.9 GHz	3.1 GHz
Bus rate	5 GT/s	5 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	32 nm
Die size	435 mm2	131 mm2
Maximum core temperature	no data	69 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	504 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100 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	FCLGA2011	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	+
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	Intel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video	-	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.1 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	40	16

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	5.32	1.17
Recency	14 November 2011	20 February 2011
Physical cores	6	2
Threads	12	4
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	65 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X and Core i3-2100, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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