i3-8121U vs i7-3770

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3770
2012
4 cores / 8 threads, 77 Watt
4.04
+46.4%
Core i3-8121U
2018
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
2.76

Core i7-3770 outperforms Core i3-8121U by a considerable 46% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking14181698
Place by popularity22not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.70no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i3
Power efficiency4.969.32
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
Release date29 April 2012 (12 years ago)5 May 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$294no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U 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 speed3.4 GHz2.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.9 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataOPI
Bus rate5 GT/s4 GT/s
Multiplierno data22
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm10 nm
Die size160 mm2123 mm2
Maximum core temperature105 °C105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °C72 °C
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1155Intel BGA1440
Power consumption (TDP)77 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
QuickAssistno data-
Speed Shiftno data+
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Smart Responseno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDI+no data
HD Audiono data+
RSTno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX-+
Identity Protection+-
SGXno data-
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
VT-ino data-
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s38.397 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 4000Iris Pro Plus
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U.

PCIe version3.03.0
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.

i7-3770 4.04
+46.4%
i3-8121U 2.76

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.

i7-3770 6411
+46%
i3-8121U 4391

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.

i7-3770 673
i3-8121U 1165
+73.1%

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.

i7-3770 2314
i3-8121U 2367
+2.3%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.04 2.76
Recency 29 April 2012 5 May 2018
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 77 Watt 15 Watt

i7-3770 has a 46.4% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-8121U, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 6 years, a 120% more advanced lithography process, and 413.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-3770 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-8121U in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-3770 is a desktop processor while Core i3-8121U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3770 and Core i3-8121U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3770
Core i7-3770
Intel Core i3-8121U
Core i3-8121U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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