i3-2120 vs i7-870

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-870
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
1.98
+61%
Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23

Core i7-870 outperforms Core i3-2120 by an impressive 61% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-870 and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19422322
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.240.14
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.971.79
Architecture codenameLynnfield (2009−2010)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date8 September 2009 (15 years ago)20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$305$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-870 has 71% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-870 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 speed2.93 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.3 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)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm32 nm
Die size296 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C69 °C
Number of transistors774 million504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-870 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1156,LGA1156FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-2120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i7-870 and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-2120. 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/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel 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 i7-870 and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-870 and Core i3-2120.

PCIe version2.02.0
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.

i7-870 1.98
+61%
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.

i7-870 3141
+60.6%
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.

i7-870 475
i3-2120 497
+4.6%

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.

i7-870 1554
+51.9%
i3-2120 1023

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-870 4590
+73.2%
i3-2120 2650

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.98 1.23
Recency 8 September 2009 20 February 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 65 Watt

i7-870 has a 61% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-2120, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, a 40.6% more advanced lithography process, and 46.2% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-870 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-870 and Core i3-2120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-870
Core i7-870
Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-870 or Core i3-2120, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.