Core i3-3120M

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i3-3120M

Sysbuilds Alpha Stage!

Please take all results with a big grain of salt. Sysbuilds is in alpha stage at the moment which can lead to wrong data, strange counting errors, silly results and more. This site is under active development.

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%

View full ranking →

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%

View full ranking →

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

Intel Celeron J3355 5 views

AMD Ryzen 5 3500X 3 views

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 3 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 2 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 1 view

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4208 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4110 1 view

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
Related News

AMD Unveils Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 with 192MB L3 Cache – and Pragmata Reveals Switch 2 Performance Gap vs. PS5

AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, a 16-core CPU with dual 3D V-Cache and a total of 192 MB L3 cache, available star...

2 sources · 1 week ago

Intel Nova Lake-S with 44 Cores? Leak Suggests Cache Strategy Shift and New Wildcat Lake Generation

A leak suggests Intel's Nova Lake-S processors may shift from 42 to 44 cores, indicating a change in tile configuration...

2 sources · 4 days ago

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition Available Before Launch – Lenovo Unveils New Legion Gaming Tablets

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition with dual 3D V-Cache is already available ahead of its official launch on April 22...

2 sources · 3 days ago

Intel Launches Core Series 3 'Wildcat Lake' – New AI-Powered CPUs for Budget Laptops and Edge Devices

Intel has officially launched the Core Series 3 'Wildcat Lake', a new CPU lineup for budget laptops and edge devices fea...

3 sources · 4 days ago

Intel Core Ultra 400 'Nova Lake': New Desktop CPUs with Up to 52 Cores and 288 MB Cache Unveiled

Intel is set to launch the Core Ultra 400 series, codenamed Nova Lake, for desktop systems featuring up to 52 cores and...

3 sources · 6 days ago

Login

Forgot your password?

Your experience on this site will be improved by allowing cookies.