i3-8121U vs i7-3770K

Primary details

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

Place in performance ranking	1364	1649
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.66	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	Intel Core i7 (Desktop)	Intel Core i3
Architecture codename	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Cannon-Lake (2018)
Release date	8 April 2012 (12 years ago)	15 May 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$294	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3770K 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 cores	4 (Quad-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	8	4
Base clock speed	3.5 GHz	2.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.9 GHz	3.2 GHz
Bus type	DMI	OPI
Bus rate	5 GT/s	4 GT/s
Multiplier	35	22
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	128 KB
L2 cache	1 MB	512 KB
L3 cache	8 MB	4 MB
Chip lithography	22 nm	10 nm
Die size	160 mm2	123 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	72 °C
Number of transistors	0 Million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3770K 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 configuration	1	1 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	FCLGA1155	Intel BGA1440
Power consumption (TDP)	77 Watt	15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

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

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
QuickAssist	no data	-
Speed Shift	no data	+
My WiFi	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
Smart Response	no data	+
Demand Based Switching	no data	-
FDI	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Launched
HD Audio	no data	+
RST	no data	+

Security technologies

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

TXT	-	-
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	+
MPX	-	+
Identity Protection	+	-
SGX	no data	-
OS Guard	no data	+
Anti-Theft	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

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

VT-d	-	+
VT-x	+	+
VT-i	no data	-
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

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

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR4
Maximum memory size	32 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	38.397 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Iris Pro Plus
Quick Sync Video	+	-
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.15 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

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

Number of displays supported

3

no data

Peripherals

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

PCIe version	3.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	16	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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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.

Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	4.18	2.84
Recency	8 April 2012	15 May 2018
Physical cores	4	2
Threads	8	4
Chip lithography	22 nm	10 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	77 Watt	15 Watt

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

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