Core i3-3225 vs Core i7-870

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-870
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
2.02
+40.3%

Core i7-870 outperforms Core i3-3225 by a considerable 40% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking18282103
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.950.08
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Architecture codenameLynnfield (2009−2010)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release dateSeptember 2009 (14 years ago)3 September 2012 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$305$264
Current price$114 (0.4x MSRP)$254 (1x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-870 has 1088% better value for money than i3-3225.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225 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 speed2.93 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.3 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm22 nm
Die size296 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C65 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data65 °C
Number of transistors774 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225 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
SocketFCLGA1156,LGA1156FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI--
AVXno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDIno data+
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data-
Identity Protectionno data+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support--

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.05 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes16no 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.


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.

i7-870 2.02
+40.3%
i3-3225 1.44

Core i7-870 outperforms Core i3-3225 by 40% based on our aggregate benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i7-870 3126
+40.2%
i3-3225 2229

Core i7-870 outperforms Core i3-3225 by 40% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-870 479
i3-3225 540
+12.7%

Core i3-3225 outperforms Core i7-870 by 13% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-870 1564
+37%
i3-3225 1142

Core i7-870 outperforms Core i3-3225 by 37% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.02 1.44
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Cost $305 $264
Chip lithography 45 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 55 Watt

The Core i7-870 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3225 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-870 and Core i3-3225, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-870
Core i7-870
Intel Core i3-3225
Core i3-3225

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-870 or Core i3-3225, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.