CPU
GPU
Core i3-4120U
Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86
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 i3-4120U is positioned at rank 129 and the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 is on rank 301, so the Core i3-4120U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4120U
Performance Per Dollar Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4120U | Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Griffin (2008−2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4120U | Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i3-4120U and Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86
Core i3-4120U
The Core i3-4120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,948 points. Launch price was $281.
Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86
The Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Griffin (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,965 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i3-4120U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-4120U versus 2.4 GHz on the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86. The Core i3-4120U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 uses Griffin (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4120U scores 1,948 against the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86's 1,965 — a 0.9% lead for the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4120U vs 0 kB on the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86.
| Feature | Core i3-4120U | Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 2.4 GHz+20% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm-66% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Griffin (2008−2009) |
| PassMark | 1,948 | 1,965 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 462 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,071 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4120U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 uses S1g2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4120U versus DDR2-800 on the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 — the Core i3-4120U supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4120U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-4120U) vs 0 (Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86) — the Core i3-4120U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i3-4120U | Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | S1g2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600+50% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+300% | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-4120U) vs AMD-V (Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86). The Core i3-4120U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i3-4120U | Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4400 | — |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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