i3-2120 vs Xeon X3480

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Aggregate performance score

Xeon X3480
2010
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
2.14
+67.2%

Xeon X3480 outperforms Core i3-2120 by an impressive 67% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon X3480 and Core i3-2120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking18842299
Place by popularitynot in top-10093
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.14
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Power efficiency2.051.80
Architecture codenameno dataSandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date1 April 2010 (14 years ago)20 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$95

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Xeon X3480 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 speed3.06 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.73 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cacheno data64 KB (per core)
L2 cacheno data256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB Intel® Smart Cache3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data131 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C69 °C
Number of transistorsno data504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Xeon X3480 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 Xeon X3480 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

Xeon X3480 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 Xeon X3480 and Core i3-2120 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon X3480 and Core i3-2120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s21 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel 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 Xeon X3480 and Core i3-2120 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon X3480 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.

Xeon X3480 2.14
+67.2%
i3-2120 1.28

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.

Xeon X3480 3273
+67.3%
i3-2120 1956

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.14 1.28
Recency 1 April 2010 20 February 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 65 Watt

Xeon X3480 has a 67.2% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-2120, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 10 months, a 40.6% more advanced lithography process, and 46.2% lower power consumption.

The Xeon X3480 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon X3480 is a server/workstation processor while Core i3-2120 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon X3480 and Core i3-2120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Xeon X3480
Xeon X3480
Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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