i3-3220 vs i7-965

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-965
2008
4 cores / 8 threads, 130 Watt
2.16
+51%
Core i3-3220
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.43

Core i7-965 outperforms Core i3-3220 by an impressive 51% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-965 and Core i3-3220 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking18482187
Place by popularitynot in top-10082
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.450.14
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i3 (Desktop)
Power efficiency1.572.45
Architecture codenameBloomfield (2008−2010)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release dateNovember 2008 (16 years ago)3 September 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,509$117

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-965 has 1650% better value for money than i3-3220.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-965 and Core i3-3220 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 speed3.2 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus rate6.4 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 nm22 nm
Die size263 mm294 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C67 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data65 °C
Number of transistors731 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-965 and Core i3-3220 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
SocketFCLGA1366FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-965 and Core i3-3220. 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 i7-965 and Core i3-3220 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 i7-965 and Core i3-3220 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-965 and Core i3-3220. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB32 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel 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 i7-965 and Core i3-3220 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-965 and Core i3-3220.

PCIe versionno data2.0

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.

i7-965 2.16
+51%
i3-3220 1.43

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.

i7-965 3424
+51.2%
i3-3220 2265

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.

i7-965 490
i3-3220 528
+7.8%

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.

i7-965 1708
+57.4%
i3-3220 1085

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.16 1.43
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 55 Watt

i7-965 has a 51% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-3220, on the other hand, has a 104.5% more advanced lithography process, and 136.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-965 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3220 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-965 and Core i3-3220, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-965
Core i7-965
Intel Core i3-3220
Core i3-3220

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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