Core i3-2120 vs Core 2 Quad Q8300

Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Quad Q8300
2008
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.19
Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23
+3.4%

Core i3-2120 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q8300 by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking23602322
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.14
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.181.79
Architecture codenameYorkfield (2007−2009)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release dateNovember 2008 (16 years ago)20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Quad Q8300 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 speed2.5 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed2.5 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus rate1333 MHz5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache4 MB (shared)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache0 KB3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm32 nm
Die size2x 81 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data69 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)71 °Cno data
Number of transistors456 million504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
VID voltage range0.85V-1.3625Vno data

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Quad Q8300 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
SocketLGA775FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology--
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switching-no data
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+
FSB parity-no data

Security technologies

Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data-
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR1, DDR2, DDR3DDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data32 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.1 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120.

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.

Core 2 Quad Q8300 1.19
i3-2120 1.23
+3.4%

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.

Core 2 Quad Q8300 1892
i3-2120 1956
+3.4%

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.

Core 2 Quad Q8300 312
i3-2120 497
+59.3%

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.

Core 2 Quad Q8300 883
i3-2120 1022
+15.7%

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

Core 2 Quad Q8300 4000
+50.9%
i3-2120 2650

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.19 1.23
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 65 Watt

Core 2 Quad Q8300 has 100% more physical cores.

i3-2120, on the other hand, has a 3.4% higher aggregate performance score, a 40.6% more advanced lithography process, and 46.2% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core i3-2120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
Core 2 Quad Q8300
Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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