Phenom II X4 925 vs i3-2120

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23
Phenom II X4 925
2009
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.43
+16.3%

Phenom II X4 925 outperforms Core i3-2120 by a moderate 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking23182197
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.140.15
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.781.42
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Deneb (2009−2011)
Release date20 February 2011 (13 years ago)11 May 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$95$160

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Phenom II X4 925 has 7% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925 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 cores2 (Dual-core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.8 GHz
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz2.8 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)128 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512 KB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm45 nm
Die size131 mm2258 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °Cno data
Number of transistors504 million758 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925 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
SocketFCLGA1155AM3
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925 are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d-no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes16no data

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.

i3-2120 1.23
Phenom II X4 925 1.43
+16.3%

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.

i3-2120 1955
Phenom II X4 925 2272
+16.2%

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.

i3-2120 497
+54.3%
Phenom II X4 925 322

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.

i3-2120 1022
+6.1%
Phenom II X4 925 963

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.23 1.43
Recency 20 February 2011 11 May 2009
Physical cores 2 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 95 Watt

i3-2120 has an age advantage of 1 year, a 40.6% more advanced lithography process, and 46.2% lower power consumption.

Phenom II X4 925, on the other hand, has a 16.3% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores.

The Phenom II X4 925 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-2120 and Phenom II X4 925, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120
AMD Phenom II X4 925
Phenom II X4 925

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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