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

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

AMD

Turion 64 X2 TL-64

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2007
VS
Intel

Core i3-3120M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2012

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 Turion 64 X2 TL-64 is positioned at rank 361 and the Core i3-3120M is on rank 460, 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 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 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 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.
InsightTurion 64 X2 TL-64Core i3-3120M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Trinidad (2006−2007) / 65 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightTurion 64 X2 TL-64Core i3-3120M
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.

Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

Processing Power

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

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

Memory & Platform

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

FeatureTurion 64 X2 TL-64Core i3-3120M
Socket
S1
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Turion 64 X2 TL-64) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3120M). 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.

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