Intel Core i3-3120M vs Intel Core i7-13620H

Intel Core i3-3120M

The Intel Core i3-3120M is a dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.5 GHz, Turbo Boost is not supported. As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessors, it offers a 3 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i3-3120M is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is about 5 - 10 % faster compared to the old i3-2370M. Thanks to their Turbo Boost, Core-i5-models like the i5-3210M are significantly faster (10 - 25 %).

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1100 MHz with Turbo Boost. Therefore, the performance is slightly below an AMD Radeon HD 6620G.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i3-3120M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i3.

Intel Core i7-13620H

The Intel Core i7-13620H is a high-end mobile CPU for laptops of the Raptor Lake-H series (based on the Alder Lake architecture). It was announced in early 2023 and offers 6 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 4 of the 8 efficient cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support Hyper-Threading leading to 16 supported threads when combined with the E-cores. The clock rate ranges from 2.4 to 4.9 GHz (single-core boost, all-core boost up to 4.7 GHz) on the performance cluster and 1.8 to 3.6 GHz on the efficient cluster. The performance of the E-cores should be similar to old Skylake cores (compare to the Core i7-6700HQ). All cores can use up to 24 MB L3 cache. Compared to the older i7-12650H, the 13620H offers higher clock speeds.

Performance

Thanks to the improved clock speeds, the i7-13620H should be able to clearly best the old i7-12650H. Still, the faster i7 models of the 13th gen offer more e-Cores and therefore a clearly better multi-threaded performance.

Features

The integrated memory controller supports various memory types up to DDR5-5200 (up from DDR5-4800 of the 12th gen.). The Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficient cores for the best performance. For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost (via AVX2). Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC, and AV1 decode in hardware. The CPU now supports PCIe 5.0 x8 for a GPU and two PCIe 4.0 x4 for SSDs.

The integrated graphics card is based on the Xe-architecture and offers 64 of the 96 EUs (Execution Units) clocked at up to 1.5GHz.

Power consumption

The i7-13620H is rated at a TDP of 55W (PL1, 115W PL2) and is manufactured in a further improved 10nm process (Intel 7) that allows the higher clock speeds compared to the 12th gen CPUs.