i3-3210 vs i7-860

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-860
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
1.89
+35%
Core i3-3210
2013
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.40

Core i7-860 outperforms Core i3-3210 by a substantial 35% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19692211
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.140.13
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.882.41
Architecture codenameLynnfield (2009−2010)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date8 September 2009 (15 years ago)1 January 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$229$120

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-860 has 8% better value for money than i3-3210.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210 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 speed2.8 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)3072 KB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm22 nm
Die size296 mm294 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data65 °C
Number of transistors774 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210 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
SocketFCLGA1156,LGA1156FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data-
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210 are enumerated here.

VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.05 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210.

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.

i7-860 1.89
+35%
i3-3210 1.40

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.

i7-860 2999
+34.7%
i3-3210 2227

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.

i7-860 449
i3-3210 506
+12.7%

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.

i7-860 1461
+42.3%
i3-3210 1027

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.89 1.40
Recency 8 September 2009 1 January 2013
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 55 Watt

i7-860 has a 35% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-3210, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 years, a 104.5% more advanced lithography process, and 72.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-860 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3210 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-860 and Core i3-3210, 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 i7-860
Core i7-860
Intel Core i3-3210
Core i3-3210

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.


3.8 753 votes

Rate Core i7-860 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.3 266 votes

Rate Core i3-3210 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-860 or Core i3-3210, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.