i3-2120 vs i5-8279U

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-8279U
2019
4 cores / 8 threads, 28 Watt
4.71
+283%
Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23

Core i5-8279U outperforms Core i3-2120 by a whopping 283% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking12762322
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.14
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5no data
Power efficiency15.921.79
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-U (2018−2019)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date3 April 2019 (5 years ago)20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$320$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-8279U 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)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.4 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.1 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus rate4 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size126 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C69 °C
Number of transistors2,300 million504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-8279U 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
SocketFCBGA1528FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)28 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
eDRAM128 MBno data
Speed Shift+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
MPX+-
Identity Protection++
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth37.5 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655Intel HD Graphics 2000
Max video memory32 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported32
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@30Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096x2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096x2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes1616

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.

i5-8279U 4.71
+283%
i3-2120 1.23

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.

i5-8279U 7482
+283%
i3-2120 1956

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.

i5-8279U 1197
+141%
i3-2120 497

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.

i5-8279U 3720
+264%
i3-2120 1023

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.71 1.23
Integrated graphics card 4.49 0.55
Recency 3 April 2019 20 February 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 28 Watt 65 Watt

i5-8279U has a 282.9% higher aggregate performance score, 716.4% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 8 years, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 132.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-8279U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-8279U is a notebook processor while Core i3-2120 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-8279U and Core i3-2120, 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 i5-8279U
Core i5-8279U
Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120

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.


4.3 95 votes

Rate Core i5-8279U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.4 1719 votes

Rate Core i3-2120 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-8279U or Core i3-2120, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.