i3-2120 vs i9-7940X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	403	2305
Place by popularity	not in top-100	98
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	3.20	0.14
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	no data
Power efficiency	9.37	1.79
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	1 September 2017 (7 years ago)	20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,399	$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-7940X has 2186% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7940X 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 cores	14 (Tetradeca-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	28	4
Base clock speed	3.1 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.4 GHz	3.3 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	no data
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	5 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	19.25 MB (shared)	3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Die size	484 mm2	131 mm2
Maximum core temperature	102 °C	69 °C
Number of transistors	no data	504 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7940X 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 configuration	1 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	FCLGA2066	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	-
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
FDI	no data	+
Fast Memory Access	no data	+

Security technologies

Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	+
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	-	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	-
VT-x	+	+
EPT	no data	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR3
Maximum memory size	128 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	85.33 GB/s	21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	N/A	Intel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video	-	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.1 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120.

PCIe version	3.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	44	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	16.34	1.23
Recency	1 September 2017	20 February 2011
Physical cores	14	2
Threads	28	4
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	65 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7940X and Core i3-2120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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