Intel Core i7-3920XM vs Intel Core i3-3120M. Specifications, performance, tests

Comprehensive background on the processors being compared, detailing their series, generation, and targeted market segment.

• Segment
  Mobile Mobile
• Family
  Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Intel Core i3
• Generation
  3 3
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 3000M Intel Core i 3000M

Essential parameters including the number of cores, threads, base and turbo frequencies, and cache size. These metrics provide insight into the processor’s speed—higher values generally indicate better performance.

• Frequency
  2.90 GHz 2.50 GHz
• CPU Cores
  4 2
• Turbo (1 Core)
  3.80 GHz No turbo
• CPU Threads
  8 4
• Hyperthreading
  Yes Yes
• Overclocking
  Yes No
• Core architecture
  normal normal

The integrated graphics (iGPU) do not influence the CPU performance significantly; they serve as a substitute for a dedicated graphics card in the absence of one or are utilized in mobile devices.

• GPU name
  Intel HD Graphics 4000 Intel HD Graphics 4000
• GPU frequency
  0.65 GHz 0.65 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  1.30 GHz 1.10 GHz
• Execution units
  16 16
• Shader
  128 128
• Max. displays
  3 3
• Generation
  7 7
• DirectX Version
  11.0 11.0
• Technology
  22 nm 22 nm
• Release date
  Q1/2011 Q1/2011

This section details the built-in codecs used for encoding and decoding media content, which significantly enhance processing speed and efficiency.

• h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
  No No
• h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
  No No
• h264
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VP9
  No No
• VP8
  No No
• AV1
  No No
• AVC
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VC-1
  Decode Decode
• JPEG
  Decode Decode

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Intel Core i3-3120M and Intel Core i7-3920XM. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  DDR3-1333DDR3-1600DDR3L-1333 SO-DIMMDDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM DDR3-1333DDR3-1600DDR3L-1333 SO-DIMMDDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM
• Max. Memory
  32 GB 32 GB
• ECC
  No No
• Memory channels
  2 2
• PCIe version
  3.0 2
• PCIe lanes
  16 16

• AES-NI
  Yes Yes

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Intel Core i7-3920XM and Intel Core i3-3120M to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  55 W 35 W
• Tjunction max.
  105 °C 90 °C

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Intel Core i7-3920XM and Intel Core i3-3120M, including virtual machine technologies and fabrication processes.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• Virtualization
  VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
• L3-Cache
  8.00 MB 3.00 MB
• Architecture
  Ivy Bridge H Ivy Bridge H
• Technology
  22 nm 22 nm
• Socket
  PGA 988 PGA 988
• Release date
  Q2/2012 Q3/2012