Core i3-3120M vs Pentium 4425Y

CPU

GPU

Core i3-3120M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2012

Pentium 4425Y

2 Cores4 Thrd6 WW2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3120M

2 / 4

1,709

+0.6%

1,699

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 i3-3120M is positioned at rank 460 and the Pentium 4425Y is on rank 941, so the Core i3-3120M 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 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 Per Dollar Pentium 4425Y

#929

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1727%

#930

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1702%

#931

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1562%

#932

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1555%

#933

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1541%

#935

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1488%

#936

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1427%

#937

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1424%

#938

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1386%

#941

Pentium 4425Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#944

Athlon Neo X2 L335

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

98%

#945

Core i7-3610QE

MSRP: $315|Avg: $105

98%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

97%

#950

FX-9800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

97%

#951

Celeron 1020E

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

96%

#954

Core i7-5850EQ

MSRP: $435|Avg: $370

95%

#956

Core i7-4810MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

95%

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 Pentium 4425Y (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and LPDDR3-1866, DDR3L-1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-3120M	Pentium 4425Y
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-3120M (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-3120M	Pentium 4425Y
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i3-3120M Benchmark Check

Pentium 4425Y Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3120M and Pentium 4425Y

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.

Pentium 4425Y

The Pentium 4425Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,699 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3120M and Pentium 4425Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. The Core i3-3120M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 4425Y uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3120M scores 1,709 against the Pentium 4425Y's 1,699 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-3120M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M vs 2 MB on the Pentium 4425Y.

Feature	Core i3-3120M	Pentium 4425Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+47%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,709	1,699
Geekbench 6 Single	440	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	930	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3120M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 4425Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3120M	Pentium 4425Y
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3120M) / not specified (Pentium 4425Y). The Core i3-3120M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium 4425Y requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M.