Overview of the Intel Core i3-2120: description, features, reviews

Core i3-2120 from the corporation "Intel" at one time became an excellent mid-level chip that allowed to assemble both office computers and gaming PCs. In the latter case, it was necessary to equip the system unit with a discrete graphics accelerator. Although this product was released in 2011, but its parameters even now continue to be relevant, and the level of performance is sufficient to solve almost any problem, albeit with certain reservations.

Niche solutions and possible configuration options

As noted earlier, the Intel Core i3-2120 is an average CPU. It is not possible to create a full-fledged workstation for running resource-intensive tasks on it. The same can be said about attempts to make on its basis an ultra-productive gaming PC or an entry-level server. But this processor is perfect for a medium-sized gaming computer, an office computer or a multimedia station. It was for the assembly of such system blocks that the hero of this review was released. There are only two possible options for picking it up: "Box" and "Trail". The difference between them is that in the second case there is no cooling system and thermal paste.

Processor connector of the central processing unit

The Core i3-2120, like any other processor based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, was installed in the FCLGA1155 socket. And support for this chip could boast of a set of system logic as the sixth series, and the seventh. The most preferred in this case was to use the chipsets P67, Z68 or even Z77. In this case it was possible even to disperse this chip and at the expense of it to receive even a small, but nevertheless an increase in speed.

Technological features

All CPUs of the "Sandy Bridge" line were manufactured according to the 32 nm process technology standards, which was advanced in 2011. Now, more recent versions of "Kor Ai3" are produced already at the standards of 14 nm. On the other hand, the most powerful chips from AMD series AMD even now in the "technical process" column have a value of "32 nm". Therefore, the 2120th in this plan can still be considered not an outdated solution.

Cache subsystem

Intel Core i3-2120, as expected, is equipped with a powerful cache memory system of three levels. The size of the first of them was 128 KB. At the second level, its number was increased to 512 KB. Well, the third level was the largest - 3 MB. At the same time, the first level had the greatest impact on the speed - it was divided into 2 identical parts that were "tied" to a particular core, were as close to it as possible and had the maximum possible frequency of operation.

Random access memory, its controller and supported types

One of the key innovations of the processors of the Sandy Bridge family was that half of the set of system logic in the face of the "north bridge" was transferred to the CPU chip. Together with the "north bridge" was also included in the chip and the controller of RAM. This engineering solution significantly increased the speed of RAM. The controller itself is in this case dual-channel (that is, it is optimized to work in conjunction with an even number of RAM slots (2 or 4.) The memory type in this case is DDR 3. The recommended operating frequencies of the modules are 1066 MHz or 1333 MHz The maximum RAM size In this case - 32 GB.

Thermal package. Frequency

The heat packet in the 2120-m was installed at 65 W. Taking into account the completeness of the central processing unit is also a "server bridge" of system logic and an integrated graphics accelerator, this is an excellent value. The maximum allowable temperature in this case is 69 ^° C. Well, the only possible clock frequency in the normal mode of operation for the Core i3-2120 is 3.30 GHz. Support for TurboBust technology was absent in this case, and the chip frequency did not automatically change.

Filling of a silicon crystal. Built-in accelerator parameters

Physically, the Core i3-2120 has only 2 processing cores, which can function in both x64 and x86 modes. But in this processor device there is support for proprietary technology from Intel, which is called HyperTrading. With its help, this CPU at the software level turns into a familiar 4-way computing device. In addition to the north bridge and the memory controller, this crystal also has a graphic accelerator. It is called HDGraphics 2000. Its operating frequencies are in the range of 0.85-1.1 GHz, and the number of supported displays is limited to two. The presence of this component in the CPU makes it possible to assemble with its help personal computers of the initial level, in which there is no need to use a discrete video card, and this allows to significantly reduce its cost. It is for such cases that the developers have completed this semiconductor solution with an integrated graphics accelerator.

Overclocking

As noted earlier, the base frequency in the Intel Core i3-2120 is 3.30 GHz. The CPU frequency multiplier in this case is fixed at a value of 33. As a result, a relatively small overclock of this product can be realized only by raising the frequency of the system bus. This operation can be performed only on advanced modifications of the system logic P67, Z68 or Z77. In the basic mode, its frequency is 100 MHz. In practice, this value can be raised to 105-107 MHz, but beforehand it is necessary to lower the frequencies of other components of the PC (RAM, for example). This will get an additional 4-5 percent of performance.

Comparison of the level of performance with analogues

On the one hand, the CPU Intel Core i3-2120 was on average 5-10 percent faster than the Core 1-generation processors. Similarly, it was already ahead of the third generation of chips based on the same architecture. From the side of "AMD" with this CPU could compete on equal terms only the younger 6-core "Fenom 2". And in applications (for example, archivers), AMD solutions had an advantage. But the games allowed to fully reveal the potential of the chip "Sandy Bridge", and here the preponderance was already on the side of "Intel".

Price. User Reviews

For its niche it was an excellent processor. It combines good energy efficiency and an acceptable level of performance. And the results, which he shows in toys, indicate that he is optimized precisely for the solution of such problems. And the results of tests indicate that he could even compete on an equal footing with the younger 6-nuclear models of the line "Fenom 2" from "AMD". And this already says a lot. Now the fate of this chip is the modernization of old PCs based on FCLGA1155, which were equipped with Pentium or Celeron processors. But to create a new PC, it just does not fit. In this case, it is better to pay attention to the newer platforms FCLGA1150 or FCLGA1151. For the present, this product can be purchased from stock at a price of 4000-5000 rubles.

Results

Excellent fit Core i3-2120 for assembling the average PC performance level in 2011. Now it is not recommended for this, because there are more recent solutions. Well, to upgrade the PC with younger models of the CPU of this family, it can perfectly match.