i3-2120 vs i7-7740X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-7740X
2017
4 cores / 8 threads, 112 Watt
6.06
+393%
Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23

Core i7-7740X outperforms Core i3-2120 by a whopping 393% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-7740X and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking11022322
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.310.14
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency5.121.79
Architecture codenameKaby Lake-X (2017)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date26 June 2017 (7 years ago)20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$339$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-7740X has 1550% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-7740X 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 speed4.3 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data131 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C69 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-7740X 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)112 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-7740X 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+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-7740X and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-7740X and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-7740X and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth42.671 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardHD 630Intel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.1 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-7740X and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-7740X 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.

i7-7740X 6.06
+393%
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.

i7-7740X 9621
+392%
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.

i7-7740X 1655
+233%
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.

i7-7740X 5341
+423%
i3-2120 1022

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.06 1.23
Recency 26 June 2017 20 February 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 112 Watt 65 Watt

i7-7740X has a 392.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

i3-2120, on the other hand, has 72.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-7740X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-7740X 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 i7-7740X
Core i7-7740X
Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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