Core i3-8121U vs Core i7-2760QM

Core i3-8121U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2018

Core i7-2760QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-8121U

2 / 4

4,271

0.0%

4,313

+1.0%

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 i3-8121U is positioned at rank 166 and the Core i7-2760QM is on rank 249, so the Core i3-8121U 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 i3-8121U

#154

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

343%

#155

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

338%

#156

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

311%

#157

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

309%

#158

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

306%

#160

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

296%

#161

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

284%

#162

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

283%

#163

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

276%

#166

Core i3-8121U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

99%

#176

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2760QM

#237

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

408%

#238

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

402%

#239

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

369%

#240

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

368%

#241

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

364%

#243

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

352%

#244

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

337%

#245

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

337%

#246

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

328%

#249

Core i7-2760QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 i3-8121U (2018) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-8121U	Core i7-2760QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 10 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2760QM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-8121U	Core i7-2760QM
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 i3-8121U Benchmark Check

Core i7-2760QM Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-8121U and Core i7-2760QM

Core i3-8121U

The Core i3-8121U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,271 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-2760QM

The Core i7-2760QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,313 points. Launch price was $378.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-8121U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2760QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2760QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-8121U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-2760QM — a 9% clock advantage for the Core i7-2760QM (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-8121U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-2760QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8121U scores 4,271 against the Core i7-2760QM's 4,313 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-2760QM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8121U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2760QM.

Feature	Core i3-8121U	Core i7-2760QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.4 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,271	4,313
Geekbench 6 Single	1,178	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,250	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8121U uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2760QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8121U versus 1600 on the Core i7-2760QM — the Core i7-2760QM supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i3-8121U) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2760QM).

Feature	Core i3-8121U	Core i7-2760QM
Socket	BGA1440	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	1600+39900%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+104857500%	32
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i3-8121U supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8121U) vs true (Core i7-2760QM). The Core i7-2760QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i3-8121U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8121U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i3-8121U rivals Core i3-8130U; Core i7-2760QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.