Core i3-3120M

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i3-3120M

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i3-3120M based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,402 Rank: 1398
Rank Name Score Visual
1394 Phenom II X4 B60 4,404
+0%
1395 Phenom II X4 840 4,404
+0%
1396 Celeron G1820T 4,404
+0%
1397 Intel Core i5-540M 4,403
+0%
1398 Core i3-3120M 4,402
1399 Core i3 540 4,400
+-0%
1400 Xeon X5450 4,400
+-0%
1401 Phenom II X6 1035T 4,400
+-0%
1402 Core i7-940 4,400
+-0%
1403 Intel Core i3-390M 4,399
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i3-3120M based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,395 Rank: 1469
Rank Name Score Visual
1465 Xeon E3-1220L v2 4,397
+0%
1466 Core i7-2637M 4,396
+0%
1467 Core M-5Y71 4,396
+0%
1468 A8-3820 4,396
+0%
1469 Core i3-3120M 4,395
1470 Core i5-661 4,395
+0%
1471 Core i7-5500U 4,394
+-0%
1472 Core i5-3320M 4,394
+-0%
1473 Phenom II X3 710 4,394
+-0%
1474 Core i5-4210M 4,392
-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i3-3120M based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,406 Rank: 1384
Rank Name Score Visual
1380 Core i7-8500Y 4,413
+0.2%
1381 Phenom II X4 965 4,412
+0.1%
1382 A8-7600 4,412
+0.1%
1383 Xeon E5540 4,408
+0%
1384 Core i3-3120M 4,406
1385 Core i5-2450M 4,404
+-0%
1386 Core i7-875K 4,404
+-0%
1387 Xeon X5550 4,404
+-0%
1388 Pentium Silver N6000 4,404
+-0%
1389 Celeron G1840T 4,403
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i3-3120M based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,524 Rank: 1354
Rank Name Score Visual
1350 Athlon II X4 645 4,524
+0%
1351 Pentium 5405U 4,524
+0%
1352 Pentium 4417U 4,524
+0%
1353 Pentium 4415U 4,524
+0%
1354 Core i3-3120M 4,524
1355 Core M-5Y70 4,524
+0%
1356 A10-4655M 4,524
+0%
1357 A8-5545M 4,524
+0%
1358 Core i5-650 4,524
+0%
1359 Xeon D-1602 4,523
+-0%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i3-3120M based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,492 Rank: 1379
Rank Name Score Visual
1375 Athlon II X3 425 4,493
+0%
1376 Core M3-7Y30 4,492
+0%
1377 Celeron G4900T 4,492
+0%
1378 Core i3-2120T 4,492
+0%
1379 Core i3-3120M 4,492
1380 A10-5750M 4,492
+0%
1381 Phenom II X3 710 4,492
+0%
1382 Core i7-620M 4,492
+0%
1383 Core i5-580M 4,492
+0%
1384 Core i7-8500Y 4,492
+0%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i3-3120M based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,522 Rank: 1250
Rank Name Score Visual
1246 Core i5-8200Y 4,524
+0%
1247 Phenom II X4 970 4,523
+0%
1248 Pentium G4500T 4,522
+0%
1249 A10-5700 4,522
+0%
1250 Core i3-3120M 4,522
1251 Core i3-5005U 4,522
+0%
1252 Core i3-2100T 4,522
+0%
1253 FX-8800P 4,522
+0%
1254 Core i5-2450M 4,521
+-0%
1255 Pentium G3450 4,521
+-0%

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Core i3-3120M Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i3-3120M remains a relic of the early Ivy Bridge era, having been released in September 2012. Despite its age, it still holds a modest place in the broader performance landscape, particularly within the mobile computing segment of its time. The processor, built on a 22 nm process, features a dual-core design with Hyper-Threading, effectively delivering four threads, and operates at a base frequency of 2.5 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 2.6 GHz. It is designed for mobile platforms and uses the FC-PGA12F socket, now long superseded by modern interfaces. With a TDP of 35 W, the i3-3120M strikes a balance between performance and power efficiency, typical of Intel's mobile offerings from that generation.

The Core i3-3120M integrates Intel HD Graphics 4000, a GPU capable of handling basic multimedia tasks and light gaming at lower resolutions. It supports up to three displays and features a maximum frequency of 1.1 GHz, though the base frequency sits at 650 MHz. The processor supports dual-channel DDR3 memory up to 1600 MHz, with a maximum capacity of 32 GB and a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Cache configuration includes 61 MiB of L1, 244 MiB of L2, and a substantial 2.861 MiB of L3 cache, contributing to its efficiency in handling multitasking and memory-intensive applications.

In terms of features, the i3-3120M supports a wide range of instruction sets, including AVX, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, and AES-NI, enhancing its performance in multimedia and encryption tasks. It also includes virtualization technologies such as Intel VT-x and VT-d, making it suitable for virtual machine environments. The processor supports ECC memory, although this is not available in consumer configurations. The locked clock multiplier limits overclocking potential, a common trait in Intel's mainstream mobile CPUs.

Benchmark results reveal the i3-3120M’s position in the current landscape. It achieves an overall score of 4402, ranking #1398 out of 2060 processors in the Passmark database. Its single-core score is 4406, placing it at #1384, while its multicore score stands at 4395, ranking #1469. These results highlight a processor that, while capable for its time, is now significantly outpaced by modern CPUs. For example, it falls just behind the Core i5-540M and ahead of the Core i3-5010U, indicating its performance is comparable to early 2010s mainstream mobile chips.

The i3-3120M’s strongest category is its single-core performance, which is relatively robust for a dual-core chip of its generation, thanks to the 2.5 GHz base clock and Hyper-Threading. However, its multicore performance is weaker, reflecting the limitations of its two-core design in modern multi-threaded workloads. While it may still be suitable for basic productivity, light content creation, or entry-level computing, it is no longer competitive with current-generation processors. In the top 50 lists, it falls far behind leaders like the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX and Core Ultra 9 285K, which achieve over 9000 overall scores.

In conclusion, the Intel Core i3-3120M is a legacy mobile processor that served well during its release window but now belongs to the past. It remains a viable option for legacy systems or low-demand use cases but offers no meaningful advantage over modern alternatives. Its integration of HD Graphics 4000 and support for essential technologies make it a historically significant chip, but its age and performance constraints limit its relevance in today's computing environment.
Frequently Compared

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AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 32 views

Intel Celeron J3355 32 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 31 views

AMD Ryzen 5 3500X 29 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 29 views

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 29 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4110 29 views

Intel Core i3-3120M

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i3-3120M
Model Number: i3-3120M
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 2500 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 25x (locked)
Core Name: Ivy Bridge
Socket: FCPGA988
Package: FC-PGA12F
Target Segment: Mobile
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 35 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 62.464 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 2.861 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 1
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 4000
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1100 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 22 nm
Die Area: 118 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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