CPU
GPU
Core i3-3120M
Xeon 5160
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 Xeon 5160 is on rank 903, so the Core i3-3120M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3120M
Performance Per Dollar Xeon 5160
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3120M | Xeon 5160 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior 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 (Woodcrest (2006) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3120M | Xeon 5160 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3120M and Xeon 5160
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.
Xeon 5160
The Xeon 5160 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Woodcrest (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,715 points. Launch price was $22.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3120M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon 5160's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M versus 3 GHz on the Xeon 5160 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Xeon 5160 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-3120M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon 5160 uses Woodcrest (2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3120M scores 1,709 against the Xeon 5160's 1,715 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon 5160. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M vs 0 kB on the Xeon 5160.
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Xeon 5160 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 4 MB+1500% |
| Process | 22 nm-66% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Woodcrest (2006) |
| PassMark | 1,709 | 1,715 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 440 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 930 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3120M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon 5160 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Xeon 5160 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA771 |
| 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 (Xeon 5160). The Core i3-3120M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon 5160 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M.
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Xeon 5160 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Budget Laptop | — |
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