TEST
YOUR CPU
ADD TO PC
BUILD

Intel

Core i3-3120M

▲ 53129 ▼

2 Cores, 4 Threads @2.5 GHz, Ivy Bridge.
Release date ≤ Q4 2013.

Average Bench: 50.1% (792nd of 1442)

Based on 14,372 user benchmarks.  Device: BFEBFBFF000306A9 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3120M CPU @ 2.50GHz
Poor: 35%Average: 50.1% Great: 59%
Gaming
Gaming 50%
Yacht
Desktop
Desktop 55%
Gunboat
Workstation
Workstation 35%
Sail boat

Popular builds with this CPU

Average average bench

The Intel Core i3-3120M averaged 49.9% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 75.2Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 57.5Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i3-3120M is 24.1%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i3-3120M performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 151Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 151Pts
ADVERTISEMENT

Average Bench

(Based on 14,372 samples)
Rank 79250.1%
Min Avg Max
52.8 Memory 75.2 90.6
31.6 1-Core 57.5 66.7
57.8 2-Core 101 124
49.5% 77.9 Pts
Min Avg Max
80.3 4-Core 147 172
86.2 8-Core 151 172
19.8% 149 Pts
Min Avg Max
80.2 64-Core 151 173
9.3% 151 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
N/A, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 2.5 GHz (avg)
57.6% Above average
Memory 87.5
1-Core 65.3
2-Core 107
56% 86.7 Pts
4-Core 164
8-Core 164
22% 164 Pts
64-Core 164
10% 164 Pts
U3E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 2.5 GHz (avg)
54.9% Above average
Memory 83.2
1-Core 63.7
2-Core 104
54% 83.7 Pts
4-Core 157
8-Core 161
21% 159 Pts
64-Core 161
10% 161 Pts
Socket rPGA988B, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 2.5 GHz (avg)
47.2% Average
Memory 67.6
1-Core 63.9
2-Core 108
49% 79.9 Pts
4-Core 157
8-Core 154
21% 156 Pts
64-Core 121
8% 121 Pts
CPU Socket - U3E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 2.5 GHz (avg)
46.5% Average
Memory 65.3
1-Core 65.4
2-Core 121
50% 83.8 Pts
4-Core 162
8-Core 163
22% 163 Pts
64-Core 162
10% 162 Pts
CPU Socket - U3E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 2.5 GHz (avg)
45.1% Average
Memory 63.2
1-Core 61.2
2-Core 110
47% 78.1 Pts
4-Core 158
8-Core 161
21% 159 Pts
64-Core 159
10% 159 Pts
CPU Socket - U3E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 2.5 GHz (avg)
42.9% Average
Memory 61.1
1-Core 63
2-Core 105
46% 76.3 Pts
4-Core 144
8-Core 144
19% 144 Pts
64-Core 145
9% 145 Pts
CPU Socket - U3E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 1.2 GHz (avg)
36.6% Below average
Memory 63.3
1-Core 20
2-Core 41.3
30% 41.5 Pts
4-Core 59.9
8-Core 65.4
8% 62.7 Pts
64-Core 67.2
4% 67.2 Pts
U3E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 1.4 GHz (avg)
32.1% Below average
Memory 53.2
1-Core 59.9
2-Core 67.9
39% 60.3 Pts
4-Core 65.6
8-Core 67.2
9% 66.4 Pts
64-Core 64.5
4% 64.5 Pts
CPU Socket - U3E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.5 GHz, turbo 2.5 GHz (avg)
14.1% Very poor
Memory 19
1-Core 26.3
2-Core 37.7
17% 27.7 Pts
4-Core 53.9
8-Core 55
7% 54.5 Pts
64-Core 47.3
3% 47.3 Pts
14,372 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,752,953 CPUs tested

 Prices

If you buy via one of these links, our site may earn a commission

AmazonUS $1004 years
Send price feedback
Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i3-3120M Builds (Compare 277 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 2%
Tree trunk
Desktop
Desktop 49%
Yacht
Workstation
Workstation 2%
Tree trunk

System: Toshiba Satellite C55-A

CPU
Core i3-3120MIntel  $100Bench 50%, 14,372 samples88x
GPU
HD 4000 (Mobile 1.25 GHz)IntelBench 3%, 409,110 samples123x
HD Graphics (G3 Pentium/Celeron 1.0/1.1 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 28,701 samples91x
HD Graphics (Bay Trail 0.667 - 0.854 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 90,156 samples46x
SSD
PLUS 240GBSandiskBench 45%, 86,316 samples6x
CS900 500GB SSDPNYBench 75%, 16,267 samples5x
A400 240GBKingston  $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples5x
RAM
M471B5173QH0-YK0 1x4GBSamsungBench 25%, 38,580 samples16x
M471B5173DB0-YK0 1x4GBSamsungBench 24%, 51,191 samples12x
TSB16D3LS1KBG/4G 1x4GBKingstonBench 23%, 620 samples12x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 66% - Good Total price: $100

Popular Core i3-3120M systems:

How Fast Is Your CPU? (Bench your build) Size up your PC in less than a minute

Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.

UserBenchmark of the month

Gaming Desktop ProGaming

How it works

  • - Download and run UserBenchmark
  • - CPU tests include: integer, floating and string
  • - GPU tests include: six 3D game simulations
  • - Drive tests include: read, write, sustained write and mixed IO
  • - RAM tests include: single/multi core bandwidth and latency
  • - SkillBench (space shooter) tests user input accuracy
  • - Reports are generated and presented on userbenchmark.com
  • - Identify the strongest components in your PC
  • - See speed test results from other users
  • - Compare your components to the current market leaders
  • - Explore your best upgrade options with a virtual PC build
  • - Compare your in-game FPS to other users with your hardware
Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) April 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

ADVERTISEMENT

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i3-3120M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50 GHz)
Code NameIvy Bridge
Launch DateQ3'12
Processor Numberi3-3120M
# of Cores2
# of Threads4
Cache3 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsAVX
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography22 nm
Recommended Price$225.00
Clock Speed2.5 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP35 W

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 4000
Graphics Base Frequency650 MHz
Graphics OutputeDP/DP/HDMI/SDVO/CRT
Wireless DisplayYes
# of Displays Supported3
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.1 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes

Memory

Max Memory Size32 GB
Memory TypesDDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth25.6 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
PCI Express Configurations1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4
Max # of PCI Express Lanes1

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsNo

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost TechNo
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)No
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
Demand Based SwitchingNo
vPro TechNo
Identity Protection TechYes
Fast Memory AccessYes
Flex Memory AccessYes
My WiFi TechYes
4G WiMAX Wireless TechYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm (rPGA988B); 31mm x 24mm (BGA1023)
Graphics and IMC Lithography22 nm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedFCPGA988

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechNo
Anti-Theft TechYes

 Comments

Added n/a ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,838

Liked (edit your comment) Add link

6 months ago.

IND-User
Avatar level
4,780

Good

3 months ago.

Good processing power. Excellent for office use home use and workstation . Ok for gaming.

NLD-User
Avatar level
3,510

Excellent

2 years ago.

The I3-3120M has great performance and is still fast for todays standard. Many makers such as Medion and Lenovo combined this CPU with the Nvidia GT740M because it is a great combination without any bottleneck.

COL-User
Avatar level
2,968

Average

3 years ago.

It was good for 2014 computer now its getting to slow

DNK-User
Avatar level
2,212

Excellent

3 years ago.

Back in the day it was fast a CPU and its still good to todays standards.

Your
opinion?
▲Like ▼Dislike
Ready to retire
Age: 10 years

Speed Comparisons

vs Intel Core i5-13600K
vs Intel Core i5-12600K
vs Intel Core i5-12400F
vs Intel Core i3-12100F
vs Intel Core i7-13700K
vs Intel Core i9-13900K
vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600
vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
vs Intel Core i7-11700K

1442 Processors (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different CPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Processors FAQ
AMD vs Intel: Gaming performance 2012-2021
How does IPC compare between AMD's Ryzen and Intel's Kaby Lake?
What is multi core mixed speed?
What is multi core integer speed?
What is multi core floating point speed?
What is single core mixed CPU speed?
What is quad core mixed CPU speed?
What is quad core floating point speed?
What is quad core integer speed?
What is single core floating point speed?
What is single core integer speed?
What is the GeekBench single core score?
What is a CPU?
What is the effective CPU speed index?
What is overclocking?
What is thermal design power (TDP)?
ALL FAQs »

 Best User Rated
The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $273Nvidia RTX 4060 $300Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $177Nvidia RTX 4070 $539Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $45SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $37Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $43SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
Seagate Barracuda 2TB (2016) $51G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3200 C14 4x16GB $351SanDisk Ultra Fit 32GB $16
If you make a purchase via one of these links, our site may earn a commission
Today's hottest
Amazon Ebay
deals
CPU GPU SSD HDD USB RAM MBD
Build Test EFps
Can You Run It?
►
YouTube
*NEW*
About  •  User Guide  •  FAQs  •  Email  •  Privacy  •  Developer  •  YouTube Feedback