i3-2120 vs i9-7900X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	545	2274
Place by popularity	not in top-100	87
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	3.20	0.14
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i9 (Desktop)	no data
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	30 May 2017 (7 years ago)	20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$999	$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-7900X has 2186% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120 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	10 (Deca-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	20	4
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	3.3 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	no data
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	5 GT/s
Multiplier	33	no data
L1 cache	640 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	10 MB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	13.75 MB	3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Die size	no data	131 mm2
Maximum core temperature	95 °C	69 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	no data
Number of transistors	no data	504 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120 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 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	Socket R4	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	-
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	-
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
FDI	no data	+
Fast Memory Access	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	+
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	-	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR3
Maximum memory size	128 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	85.33 GB/s	21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	N/A	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 i9-7900X and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120.

PCIe version	3.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	44	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.

---

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.

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	13.68	1.27
Recency	30 May 2017	20 February 2011
Physical cores	10	2
Threads	20	4
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	65 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7900X and Core i3-2120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---