Core i3-3120M
VS
Turion 64 X2 TL-64

Core i3-3120M vs Turion 64 X2 TL-64

Intel

Core i3-3120M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2012
VS
AMD

Turion 64 X2 TL-64

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 Turion 64 X2 TL-64 is on rank 361, so the Turion 64 X2 TL-64 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 Turion 64 X2 TL-64

#107
Core Ultra 5 228V
MSRP: $295|Avg: $295
100%
#111
Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $180
99%
#349
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
510%
#350
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
503%
#351
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
461%
#352
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
459%
#353
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
455%
#355
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
439%
#356
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
421%
#357
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
421%
#358
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
409%
#361
Turion 64 X2 TL-64
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#375
Pentium Dual Core T3200
MSRP: $64|Avg: $5
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-3120M leads in gaming performance. However, the Turion 64 X2 TL-64 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i3-3120MTurion 64 X2 TL-64
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Trinidad (2006−2007) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-3120MTurion 64 X2 TL-64
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3120M and Turion 64 X2 TL-64

Intel

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.

AMD

Turion 64 X2 TL-64

The Turion 64 X2 TL-64 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Trinidad (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,726 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i3-3120M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Turion 64 X2 TL-64's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M versus 2.2 GHz on the Turion 64 X2 TL-64 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-3120M. The Core i3-3120M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-64 uses Trinidad (2006−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3120M scores 1,709 against the Turion 64 X2 TL-64's 1,726 — a 1% lead for the Turion 64 X2 TL-64.

FeatureCore i3-3120MTurion 64 X2 TL-64
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.5 GHz+14%
2.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1 MB+300%
Process
22 nm-66%
65 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Trinidad (2006−2007)
PassMark
1,709
1,726
Geekbench 6 Single
440
Geekbench 6 Multi
930
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3120M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-64 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-3120MTurion 64 X2 TL-64
Socket
PGA988
S1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
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 (Turion 64 X2 TL-64). The Core i3-3120M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-64 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M.

FeatureCore i3-3120MTurion 64 X2 TL-64
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget Laptop