i3-3120M vs Apple M2

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M2
2022
8 cores / 8 threads, 20 Watt
9.40
+779%
Core i3-3120M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.07

Apple M2 outperforms Core i3-3120M by a whopping 779% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M2 and Core i3-3120M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8142427
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple Apple M-SeriesIntel Core i3
Power efficiency44.452.89
Architecture codenameno dataIvy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date10 June 2022 (2 years ago)30 September 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$160

Detailed specifications

M2 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.424 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.48 GHz2.5 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cache2 MB64K (per core)
L2 cache20 MB256K (per core)
L3 cacheno data3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography5 nm22 nm
Die sizeno data118 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data90C (PGA); 105C (BGA)
Number of transistors20000 Millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-

Compatibility

Information on M2 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)20 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M2 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

M2 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 M2 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 M2 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 cardApple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)Intel 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 M2 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 M2 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 M2 9.40
+779%
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 M2 14933
+781%
i3-3120M 1695

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.40 1.07
Recency 10 June 2022 30 September 2012
Physical cores 8 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 5 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 20 Watt 35 Watt

Apple M2 has a 778.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 300% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 340% more advanced lithography process, and 75% lower power consumption.

The M2 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3120M in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M2 and Core i3-3120M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Apple M2
M2
Intel Core i3-3120M
Core i3-3120M

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Community ratings

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


3.5 621 vote

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about M2 or Core i3-3120M, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.