i3-2120T vs i7-975

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-975
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 130 Watt
2.20
+127%
Core i3-2120T
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
0.97

Core i7-975 outperforms Core i3-2120T by a whopping 127% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking18482499
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.130.15
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency1.602.62
Architecture codenameBloomfield (2008−2010)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date2 June 2009 (15 years ago)4 September 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$476$50

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i3-2120T has 15% better value for money than i7-975.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T 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 speed3.33 GHz2.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz2.6 GHz
Bus rate1333 MHz5 GT/s
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 nm32 nm
Die size263 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data65 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)68 °Cno data
Number of transistors731 million504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T 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
SocketFCLGA1366FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T 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 i7-975 and Core i3-2120T are enumerated here.

VT-dno data-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB32 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.1 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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.

i7-975 2.20
+127%
i3-2120T 0.97

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.

i7-975 3493
+128%
i3-2120T 1533

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.

i7-975 539
+35.1%
i3-2120T 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.

i7-975 1884
+150%
i3-2120T 753

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.20 0.97
Recency 2 June 2009 4 September 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 35 Watt

i7-975 has a 126.8% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-2120T, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, a 40.6% more advanced lithography process, and 271.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-975 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120T in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-975 and Core i3-2120T, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-975
Core i7-975
Intel Core i3-2120T
Core i3-2120T

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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