Core i3-3120M vs Core 2 Quad Q9100

Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Quad Q9100
2008
4 cores / 4 threads, 45 Watt
1.23
+12.8%
Core i3-3120M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.09

Core 2 Quad Q9100 outperforms Core i3-3120M by a moderate 13% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-3120M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking23282409
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesCore 2 QuadIntel Core i3
Power efficiency2.542.89
Architecture codenamePenryn (2008−2011)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release dateAugust 2008 (16 years ago)30 September 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$160

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Quad Q9100 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed2.26 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed2.26 GHz2.5 GHz
Bus rate1066 MHz5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB64K (per core)
L2 cache6 MB (per die)256K (per core)
L3 cache0 KB3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm22 nm
Die size2x 107 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C90C (PGA); 105C (BGA)
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
VID voltage range1.05V-1.175Vno data

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Quad Q9100 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 configuration21
SocketPGA478FCBGA1023,FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)45 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad Q9100 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)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology--
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switching--
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+
AMT+no data
FSB parity-no data

Security technologies

Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-3120M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-3120M are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad Q9100 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 cardno dataIntel 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 Core 2 Quad Q9100 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 Core 2 Quad Q9100 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.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 1.23
+12.8%
i3-3120M 1.09

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 Q9100 1915
+12.6%
i3-3120M 1701

Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core

Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 2905
i3-3120M 3428
+18%

Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 10081
+46.8%
i3-3120M 6867

3DMark06 CPU

3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 3310
+8.3%
i3-3120M 3057

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.23 1.09
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 45 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 45 Watt 35 Watt

Core 2 Quad Q9100 has a 12.8% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores.

i3-3120M, on the other hand, has a 104.5% more advanced lithography process, and 28.6% lower power consumption.

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3120M in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-3120M, 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.


Intel Core 2 Quad Q9100
Core 2 Quad Q9100
Intel Core i3-3120M
Core i3-3120M

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.


3.8 47 votes

Rate Core 2 Quad Q9100 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.5 437 votes

Rate Core i3-3120M on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core 2 Quad Q9100 or Core i3-3120M, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.