Intel Core i7-4950HQ vs Intel Core i3-2120

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-4950HQ or Intel Core i7-4950HQ – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-4950HQ features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-4950HQ, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1364 socket.
The Intel Core i3-2120 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-2120, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
Intel Core i7-4950HQ Name Intel Core i3-2120
4 Generation 2
Mobile Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i3
Intel Core i 4000M/4000H Group Intel Core i 2000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-4950HQ has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-4950HQ is 2.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
The Intel Core i3-2120 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-2120 is 3.3 GHz
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
4x Cores 2x
2.4 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
No Overclocking No
8 Threads 4
normal Core architecture normal
4 CPU Cores 2
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-4950HQ has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-4950HQ uses the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200, which has 320 texture shaders
and 40 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i3-2120 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-2120 uses the Intel HD Graphics 2000, which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
40 Execution units 6
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2000
11.1 Direct X 10.1
0.2 GHz GPU frequency 0.85 GHz
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
1.3 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.1 GHz
7.5 Generation 6
Q2/2013 Release date Q1/2011
-- Max. displays --
22 nm Technology 32 nm
320 Shaders 48
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode JPEG No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No VP8 No
Decode VC-1 Decode
No AV1 No
No VP9 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
2 Memory channels 2
DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1333 Memory type DDR3-1333
32.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
No ECC No
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
Yes AES-NI Yes
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 47 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W watts.
47 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 65 W
100 °C Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-4950HQ is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-2120 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
-- Part Number --
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
6.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB
Haswell H Architecture Sandy Bridge S
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Release price 120 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Q3/2013 Release date Q1/2011
BGA 1364 Socket LGA 1155
22 nm Technology 32 nm