i3-3120M vs Apple M1 Pro

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Aggregate performance score

Apple M1 Pro
2021
10 cores / 10 threads
10.83
+912%
Core i3-3120M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.07

Apple M1 Pro outperforms Core i3-3120M by a whopping 912% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking7212425
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple M-SeriesIntel Core i3
Power efficiencyno data2.89
Architecture codenameno dataIvy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date18 October 2021 (3 years ago)30 September 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$160

Detailed specifications

M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads104
Base clock speed2.064 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.22 GHz2.5 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cache2.9 MB64K (per core)
L2 cache28 MB256K (per core)
L3 cache24 MB3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography5 nm22 nm
Die sizeno data118 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data90C (PGA); 105C (BGA)
Number of transistors33700 Millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-

Compatibility

Information on M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M 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 configurationno data1
Socketno dataFCBGA1023,FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)no data35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® AVX
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data-
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data-
EDBno data+
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-dno data-
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data32 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Apple M1 Pro 16-Core GPUIntel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.1 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M.

PCIe versionno data2.0
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.

Apple M1 Pro 10.83
+912%
i3-3120M 1.07

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.

Apple M1 Pro 17201
+912%
i3-3120M 1699

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 10.83 1.07
Recency 18 October 2021 30 September 2012
Physical cores 10 2
Threads 10 4
Chip lithography 5 nm 22 nm

Apple M1 Pro has a 912.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 400% more physical cores and 150% more threads, and a 340% more advanced lithography process.

The M1 Pro is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3120M in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M1 Pro and Core i3-3120M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Apple M1 Pro
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Intel Core i3-3120M
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Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


4.2 410 votes

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3.5 444 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about M1 Pro or Core i3-3120M, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.