Intel Core i7-870S vs Intel Core i3-2120T

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-870S or Intel Core i7-870S – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-870S features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-870S, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
The Intel Core i3-2120T features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-2120T, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
Intel Core i7 800 Group Intel Core i 2000
1 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-870S Name Intel Core i3-2120T
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i3
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-870S has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-870S is 2.66 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
The Intel Core i3-2120T has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-2120T is 2.6 GHz
8 Threads 4
4x Cores 2x
4 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking No
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
2.66 GHz Frequency 2.6 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-870S does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i3-2120T has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-2120T uses the Intel HD Graphics 2000, which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- Shaders 48
-- Release date Q1/2011
-- Technology 32 nm
-- Direct X 10.1
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units 6
-- GPU frequency 0.65 GHz
-- Generation 6
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.1 GHz
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2000
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 No
-- VC-1 Decode
-- JPEG No
-- AV1 No
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP9 No
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
No AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
No ECC No
16.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 82 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 W watts.
82 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 35 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-870S is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-2120T is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
Q2/2010 Release date Q3/2011
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
45 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
-- Release price 121 $
Lynnfield Architecture Sandy Bridge S
8.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 1156 Socket LGA 1155
1.0 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes