i3-2120 vs Xeon E3-1226 v3

VS

Aggregate performance score

Xeon E3-1226 v3
2014
4 cores / 4 threads, 84 Watt
3.48
+183%
Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23

Xeon E3-1226 v3 outperforms Core i3-2120 by a whopping 183% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking15452322
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.300.14
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
SeriesXeon (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency3.921.79
Architecture codenameHaswell-WS (2013−2014)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date11 May 2014 (10 years ago)20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$213$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon E3-1226 v3 has 1543% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Xeon E3-1226 v3 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size160 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data69 °C
Number of transistors1,400 million504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E3-1226 v3 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1150FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)84 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
SIPP+-
FDI++
Fast Memory Access++

Security technologies

Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD P4600Intel HD Graphics 2000
Max video memory1.7 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHz1.1 GHz
Execution Units20no data
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported32
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
VGA+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.43840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over VGA2880x1800@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX11.2no data
OpenGL4.3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes1616

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.

Xeon E3-1226 v3 3.48
+183%
i3-2120 1.23

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.

Xeon E3-1226 v3 5533
+183%
i3-2120 1956

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.

Xeon E3-1226 v3 1155
+132%
i3-2120 497

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.

Xeon E3-1226 v3 3307
+224%
i3-2120 1022

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.48 1.23
Recency 11 May 2014 20 February 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 84 Watt 65 Watt

Xeon E3-1226 v3 has a 182.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 100% more physical cores, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

i3-2120, on the other hand, has 29.2% lower power consumption.

The Xeon E3-1226 v3 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon E3-1226 v3 is a server/workstation processor while Core i3-2120 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Core i3-2120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3
Xeon E3-1226 v3
Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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