Intel Core i3-8120
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPU
ECC MemoryAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-8120 Specifications
Core i3-8120 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-8120 features 4 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-8120 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-8120 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-8120 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-8120 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-8120 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-8120's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Coffee Lake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-8120 is built on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-8120 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Coffee Lake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-8120 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-8120 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1151 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-8120 uses the Intel Socket 1151 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1151 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-8120 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-8120 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-8120 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-8120 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-8120 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-8120 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-8120 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
About Intel Core i3-8120
# Intel Core i3-8120
The Intel Core i3-8120 is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor built on the Coffee Lake architecture and 14 nm process node, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a 65 W TDP. It occupies the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database, placing it squarely in the mid-range of desktop processors for its era. With no boost clock and no unlocked multiplier, this is a fixed-frequency part designed for straightforward, predictable performance in mainstream systems. The processor integrates UHD Graphics 630 and supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, making it a complete platform solution for basic computing needs.
How It Compares
The benchmark data for the Core i3-8120 includes no nearest rivals, no average benchmark score, and no comparative delta values. This absence of direct comparison points means the processor's standing must be inferred from its percentile placement and architectural characteristics. The 50th percentile ranking indicates that half of all CPUs in the database outperform it and half perform worse, a perfectly median position. In practical terms, this suggests the i3-8120 sits at the dividing line between entry-level and mid-range performance. Without rival scores, the data cannot quantify how far ahead or behind specific competitors it falls, but the 4-core/4-thread configuration and 3.70 GHz base clock position it as a competent basic processor. The lack of a boost clock is notable—many peers in this class offer dynamic frequency scaling, so the i3-8120's fixed 3.70 GHz operation may place it behind bursty workloads. The 6 MB shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory bus are typical for this segment, neither leading nor lagging the field. The 50th percentile is a statistical midpoint, not a performance cliff; the i3-8120 will handle everyday tasks without drama but offers no headroom for demanding applications.
Power and Thermals
The Intel Core i3-8120 carries a 65 W TDP, which places it in the standard desktop power envelope for mainstream processors. This figure is neither exceptionally low nor high—it represents the typical thermal design point for a quad-core part without hyper-threading. Cooling requirements are modest: a capable air cooler with a standard 92 mm or 120 mm fan will comfortably manage the thermal output under sustained load. The 14 nm process node helps keep power density reasonable, and the lack of a boost clock means the processor never exceeds its rated frequency, which simplifies thermal management. The 126 mm² die size is compact, allowing heat to spread across a relatively small area, but the 65 W TDP is low enough that even stock Intel coolers from this generation are generally sufficient. For system builders, this means no special cooling considerations are necessary—a standard mid-tower case with one rear exhaust fan and a basic tower cooler will keep temperatures within specification. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 adds some thermal load when active, but for typical office or light multimedia use, the GPU portion will not stress the cooling solution. Overclocking is not a factor, as the multiplier is locked, so thermal headroom beyond stock operation is irrelevant. The 65 W TDP also has implications for power supply sizing: a 300 W PSU is adequate for a basic build, though most modern systems include larger units. In summary, the thermal profile is unremarkable and manageable with entry-level cooling hardware.
Who Should Consider It
The Core i3-8120 is best suited for users whose workloads align with its 4-core, 4-thread design and 3.70 GHz fixed clock. For office productivity—word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing—the processor provides ample single-thread performance, and the integrated UHD Graphics 630 handles 2D desktop rendering without a discrete GPU. Benchmark results indicate the 50th percentile standing means it will not struggle with these light tasks, but it also won't excel in multi-threaded scenarios. Content creation is a mixed proposition: photo editing in applications that favor single-thread performance will be acceptable, but video encoding or 3D rendering that scales across cores will be limited by the absence of hyper-threading and the modest 4-thread count. Gaming is possible but constrained—the integrated GPU is not designed for modern 3D titles, and even with a discrete graphics card, the CPU's fixed 3.70 GHz clock and lack of boost may bottleneck high-refresh-rate gaming in CPU-bound scenes. The 6 MB L3 cache helps with gaming workloads, but the 4-thread ceiling is a hard limit. For users building a home theater PC or a basic family computer, the i3-8120 is a reasonable choice, offering enough performance for streaming video and light multitasking. However, users who frequently run multiple demanding applications simultaneously, compile code, or edit video should look elsewhere. The processor's dual-channel memory support (38.4 GB/s bandwidth) is sufficient for its class, but not a standout feature. In short, this CPU targets the user who needs a dependable, low-maintenance processor for everyday computing, not the enthusiast or power user.
Platform and Compatibility
The Core i3-8120 uses the Intel Socket 1151 interface, which is compatible with a wide range of motherboards from the Coffee Lake generation. The architecture is Coffee Lake, and the processor is part of the Core i3 (Coffee Lake) generation, indicating it is designed for the 300-series chipset motherboards that support this socket. Memory support is DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, with a total memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s; this is a standard implementation that supports typical DDR4 speeds available at the time of release. ECC memory is supported, which is a notable feature for budget workstation builds or small home servers that require error-correcting memory. The processor provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, which is the standard allocation for a mainstream desktop part; this allows for a single high-bandwidth discrete GPU or multiple lower-bandwidth devices, though the lane count is not generous for multi-GPU setups. Integrated graphics are provided by UHD Graphics 630, so a discrete GPU is not mandatory for basic display output. The production status is end-of-life, meaning the processor is no longer manufactured, and availability is limited to remaining stock or the used market. The part number is SR3XP, which is useful for identifying the exact stepping during purchase. The release date was 2018-08-31, placing it in the late 2018 product cycle. Upgrade path considerations are limited by the end-of-life status: users on this socket can potentially move to higher-tier Coffee Lake processors on the same motherboard, but the platform itself is superseded by newer sockets. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means no CPU overclocking, though memory overclocking via XMP profiles is still possible on supported motherboards. For system integrators, the 16 PCIe lanes and DDR4 support provide a standard, predictable build experience.
FAQ
Q: Does the Intel Core i3-8120 support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the processor supports ECC memory, which is a useful feature for error-sensitive workloads like file servers or scientific computing.
Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth of the Core i3-8120?
A: The processor provides 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth via its dual-channel DDR4 memory bus.
Q: Does the Core i3-8120 have an integrated GPU?
A: Yes, it includes Intel UHD Graphics 630, which can handle basic display output and light graphics tasks without a discrete GPU.
Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?
A: The processor offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU itself, suitable for a single high-performance graphics card or multiple lower-bandwidth devices.
Q: Is the Core i3-8120 overclockable?
A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the CPU cannot be overclocked; it runs at a fixed 3.70 GHz base clock with no boost capability.
Q: What socket does the Core i3-8120 use?
A: It uses Intel Socket 1151, which is compatible with 300-series chipset motherboards designed for Coffee Lake processors.
Q: When was the Core i3-8120 released?
A: The processor was released on 2018-08-31, and it is now end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in active production.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the Intel Core i3-8120 are below.
Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
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