Core i3-3220 vs Core i7-990X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1213	2063
Place by popularity	not in top-100	58
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.57	0.22
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	no data	Intel Core i3 (Desktop)
Architecture codename	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date	24 February 2011 (13 years ago)	3 September 2012 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,104	$117
Current price	$175 (0.2x MSRP)	$59 (0.5x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-990X has 614% better value for money than i3-3220.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220 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	3.46 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.73 GHz	3.3 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	12 MB (shared)	3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Die size	239 mm2	94 mm2
Maximum core temperature	68 °C	65 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	65 °C
Number of transistors	1,170 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220 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	FCLGA1366,LGA1366	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	1.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
PAE	36 Bit	no data
FDI	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220 are enumerated here.

VT-d	no data	-
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	24 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	3	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	Intel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video	no data	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.05 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220.

PCIe version

2.0

2.0

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.

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i3-3220 by 214% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	4.59	1.46
Recency	24 February 2011	3 September 2012
Physical cores	6	2
Threads	12	4
Cost	$1104	$117
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	55 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-990X and Core i3-3220, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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