i5-3210M vs i7-860

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-860
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
1.89
+21.9%
Core i5-3210M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.55

Core i7-860 outperforms Core i5-3210M by a significant 22% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19672114
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.14no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5
Power efficiency1.884.19
Architecture codenameLynnfield (2009−2010)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date8 September 2009 (15 years ago)1 June 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$229$225

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M 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 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz3.1 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm22 nm
Die size296 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C105 °C
Number of transistors774 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M 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,LGA1156FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® AVX
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology1.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switching--
PAE36 Bitno data
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M 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 i5-3210M are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M. 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 4000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.1 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M.

PCIe version2.03.0
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.

i7-860 1.89
+21.9%
i5-3210M 1.55

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
+21.7%
i5-3210M 2464

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
i5-3210M 494
+10%

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
+46.4%
i5-3210M 998

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-860 4280
+31.7%
i5-3210M 3250

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.89 1.55
Recency 8 September 2009 1 June 2012
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 35 Watt

i7-860 has a 21.9% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i5-3210M, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, a 104.5% more advanced lithography process, and 171.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-860 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-3210M in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-860 is a desktop processor while Core i5-3210M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-860 and Core i5-3210M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-860
Core i7-860
Intel Core i5-3210M
Core i5-3210M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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