Core 2 Duo T7200 vs Core i3-3120M

Core 2 Duo T7200

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2 GHz2006

Core i3-3120M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T7200

2 / 2

1,717

+0.5%

1,709

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Duo T7200 is positioned at rank 29 and the Core i3-3120M is on rank 460, so the Core 2 Duo T7200 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7200

#17

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

171%

#18

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

168%

#19

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#20

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

154%

#21

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

152%

#23

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

147%

#24

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

141%

#25

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

141%

#26

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

137%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

100%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

99%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3120M

#144

Core i7-12650H

MSRP: $457|Avg: N/A

97%

#448

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

601%

#449

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

592%

#450

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

544%

#451

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

541%

#452

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

536%

#454

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

518%

#455

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

496%

#456

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

496%

#457

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

482%

#460

Core i3-3120M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#472

Ryzen Embedded R1505G

MSRP: $80|Avg: $80

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-3120M (2012) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7200	Core i3-3120M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($6)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T7200 (2006) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7200	Core i3-3120M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($6)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 2 Duo T7200 Benchmark Check

Core i3-3120M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T7200 and Core i3-3120M

Core 2 Duo T7200

The Core 2 Duo T7200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 July 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,717 points. Launch price was $286.

Core i3-3120M

The Core i3-3120M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,709 points. Launch price was $160.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T7200 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3120M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7200 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-3120M (base: 2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T7200 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-3120M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T7200 scores 1,717 against the Core i3-3120M's 1,709 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7200. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7200 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7200	Core i3-3120M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.5 GHz+25%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,717	1,709
Geekbench 6 Single	—	440
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	930

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T7200 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3120M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7200 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3120M — the Core i3-3120M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7200) and HM76,HM77 (Core i3-3120M).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7200	Core i3-3120M
Socket	PGA478	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	DDR3-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7200) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3120M). The Core i3-3120M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo T7200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7200 targets Budget, Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7200 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42; Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M.