Introduction

In the midst of the chipset disaster in February, Intel announced also the first dual-core processors on the basis of the “Sandy Bridge” architecture, have perished as well as in the desktop systems. For a price of just under or over 100 euros they promise but good performance and very low use. The following pages will illuminate the package compared to the quad-core models, which cost just just under 50 euros more at best, really looks like.

The graphics tests, we have newly sorted the order of the sections in the processor tests. The benchmarks of each application, which many readers in the past have given anyway less attention are now as well as the description of the test system be found as annex at the end of the article. In this way, they no longer separate the content-related part of the test in two parts. Both the clarity and the read-flow is enhanced with the new structure.

Important findings from the individual tests are answered in the future under the evaluation of the performance, giving a cohesive article, highlighting the performance of tested processors. If you would like to more accurately analyze individual results, can look up continue this if necessary in the annex of referred to in article.

Key technical data

For the dual-core processors Intel powered this that are much smaller than the original four core one, even more specifically two extra. This has for economic reasons in the first place, because the Committee in the quad-core models is so low that Intel could learn a comprehensive portfolio of two-core processors. At the same time a separate allows the much more chips per 300-mm wafers and so a further increased yield. Unfortunately, they’re recognized separate this and Steppings of no current selection tool; These represent each “Sandy Bridge” as D2 stepping-based processor. Education creates this Intel’s technical database ARK and provided support documents.

Unfortunately, Intel provides no die-shot of the dual-core variants available, so the model of the quad-core processor with full graphics unit (HD 3000) must serve as the basis. This processor with four cores, 8 MB L3 cache and just the full graphics unit consists of a total of 995 million transistors, which occupy a total area of 216 mm square. On it are based all current quad-core models, be it for the desktop, notebook, or even server market including the full or half graphics (HD 2000). It paints all the “D2″-stepping out.

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The first new the sets the cut on the processor cores and L3 cache, the graphics unit will remain untouched. These models are specially designed for the notebook segment and by the “J1″-stepping recognizable. That loses so already one-third when the transistors and includes still 624 million of them, which occupy an area of 149 mm2. Such models are supposed to appear in the near future in the desktop – the core i3-2105 is already available on Intel’s website.

Finally, there is a third die, which has fewer cores, L3 cache, and the small HD 2000 graphics. The main difference of this “Q0″ – Steppings to the “J1″ – stepping again 120 million transistors and 18 mm² are less – ergo 504 million transistors and 131 mm M2 total area. Saving out to a large extent only of the castrated graphics unit Intel and justifies therefore still a separate which are since based not only the core i3 but also the Pentium and Celeron on this in the future.

Because the differences are only little tangible, we have photographed the underside of the entire processor. These show between quad-core model and dual-core variant in the area of this in the middle of important differences – it is so each something else under the protective hood in the form of Heatspreaders.

The test candidates

Intel Core i3-2100

The core i3-2100 is the current entry-level model in the second generation of the core i processors. It added two nuclei with a TDP of 65 Watt 3.1 GHz, however can count on various additional features. This includes hyper-threading, which four makes virtual from the existing two cores in the first place.

In many other areas, the core i3 compared to the had to take cuts in buying since early January, available core i5 and core i7. This applies to both the L3 cache, which includes only 3 instead of 6 or 8 MB, but also the Turbo mode, which is completely missing. Moreover also the feature of AES support, like already in the “Clarkdale”-is core i3 again not with the part of this year. At the same time, there is no support for the advanced virtualization VT-d (VT-x is supported) and the trusted execution technology (TXT). The advanced vector extensions (AVX) as one of the major novelties in “Sandy Bridge”, but also a new core i3 may call his own.

The core i3-2100 sets the variant HD 2000, which is going with 850 MHz basic clock and 1.1 GHz clock frequency in Turbo to works like all “SB”CPUs on a graphics unit. Because we focus in this test on the processing power and graphics performance is the same as the already tested model i5-2500, we refer core to the test of the “Sandy Bridge”-graphic.

Intel Core i3-2120

The core i3-2120 is the next faster models in the second core i3 family. It offers the same features as the in the 32-nm fabrication exactly core i3-2100, but added with 3.3 instead of 3.1 GHz – in same TDP of 65 Watts. Identical facilities and to the also-same feature set is also the L2 cache size of 256 one L3 cache with a capacity of 3 MByte therefore next to the items already listed shared KB per core, and the.

This clock difference can be that Intel with an additional cost of $ 21 pay – 138 to 117 dollars of core i3-2100. In Germany this difference remains almost, because while a core euros i3-2100 97, trade for a core will have i3-2120 114 euro.

Test results

Performance

In our rating, we keys after on the different areas in the past years. In the summary rating only tests from the fields of application, as well as games, flow as usual with all the other slices are issued separately. In the first place, we present here the result, which has the highest content of reality, so all applications and games in a resolution of 1,680 x 1,050 pixels. At the same time, we print out but also the rating, which revealed a look more in the future if the applications remain almost, so games but still not only in graphics but also in CPUs. Therefore the games are there in a low resolution without AA/AF. The last but not least, to the areas of applications, games in low and high resolution, as well as the theoretical tests separately issued, and analysis.

Total

The performance of the new dual-core processors is evident quite. Not even 100 euro for the core i3-2100 suggests the favourable quad-core processors by AMD partially clear, which is due to the new architecture. Be even AMD’s Phenom II quad core flagship 4 975 X in arge distress and can barely two percent advantage for itself achieved – too little, ultimately the package against the i3-2120 to survive core.

The core i3-2120 plays off the beat and the new architecture with its 3.3 GHz. Compared to its predecessor with two cores and 3.33 GHz, the CPU sets to nine percent. This jump is almost sufficient to obtain AMD’s six-core processor 3.0 GHz clock frequency which is pretty good for a CPU with two cores.

The investigation on the feature of hyper-threading (SMT) shows an increase of 15 or 16 per cent between disabled and enabled function. Exactly to the 15 per cent of the core i3 is different at the end of the Pentium processors based on the same architecture, who exactly this feature. Worth mentioning at this point: the core i3-2120 as pure two-core processor (without Hyper-Threading) is faster than one of the best seller of the last years with four cores, the core 2 Quad Q9550.

The following diagram shows the pure power of the new dual-core processors still slightly better. Because it takes out the limit of graphics at high resolution,’s lead grows to i3-2120 compared to the clock-like predecessor of core and the CPU reaches exactly the same value as a Phenom II X 6 1075T. This already certifies that the core i3 have much potential, which is reflected in low resolution games. The separate analyses on the next pages will encourage this but still more apparent.

Applications

The selection of benchmarks in applications taken by us is already designed to current events. This means primarily that processors front end up with many real and also logical cores in the standings. Consequently, Intel’s flagship with twelve threads lands on the first rank, followed by models with eight threads.

How little is the actual architecture programmes, is revealed in the summary very well. The core i3-2120 3.3 GHz pushes up just 3 percent before the 3.33 GHz fast predecessor. This would change only if features like AVX are more widely supported, because stroke and thread alone bring little more power in the area. This is due also to the missing AES instructions that prevent a significantly better result for example in TrueCrypt.

Games (high resolution)

Interested in the traditional buyers of a processor in the first place, what does exactly this model in its current environment. There are also games in the foreground, he regards on a large monitor in addition to the applications. The currently still mostly used resolution on computer base is 1,680 x 1,050 pixels, which itself will move to the middle or the end of the year but in the direction of full HD (1920 × 1080) or 1920 × 1200 pixels. Accordingly, our gaming benchmarks also in the area of the most commonly used resolution fall, to the next update of the test system, we will accordingly hike with the crowd.

As made clear already in the first test of the “Sandy Bridge” this year, games are the role of the new architecture. Not even 100 euros expensive and smallest model of the core i3-2000 family is located at the same height as the flagship-AMD Phenom II X 6 1100T. Own to play to the new core i3 therefore unconditionally, they afford no weakness – this shows also the following analysis.

Games (low resolution)

Even if games in low resolution on first glance make no sense, they are an important fundamental part just for processor tests. Because here the true impact of processor shows up when you can almost pick up the limitation of the graphics card, which already employs at 1,680 x 1,050 pixels. Our test of end of December 2010 had shown how well that works. With the updated test system we have made there exactly the values in the games benchmarks in high resolution, we have identified with the old test system in low resolution. From this, one can derive that the values shown here and now in low resolution apply within one year with faster graphics at high resolutions could – depending on the video cards of course do what for a jump. Accordingly important, these values are exactly, because they better plan for purchasing processor for the future.

Already at the games in high definition, the “Sandy Bridge” held the competition in check, now it is even clearer: two cores / four threads for 97 euros depend on six cores for 185 euros. How much ground as a whole really well have made the “Sandy Bridge”, evident again when comparing in-house. While the core i3-2120 3.3 GHz applications delivered fast predecessor only three percent more performance than the 3.33 GHz, it is clear 21 percent in this discipline.

The Hyper-Threading also have interesting results. F1 2010 benefits massively from the doubling of threads and sets to more than 80 percent. Medal of Honor recipient also benefits by more than 25 percent of Hyper-Threading is enabled, all other games find out mostly with maximum 10 percent increase.

theoretical tests

Theoretical tests are a good indicator of new features. Enjoy mostly as first new instructions, but also many cores and threads, as well as a high frequency. But mainly a significantly distorted picture to just those fast processors, point with many cores, which, as the last pages analyzed, so usually does not occur. The differences from the fastest to the slowest model fall out but so drastic much.

Other

Power consumption

The power consumption is specified for the entire system in our test course. In this discipline, all power-saving features of the respective platforms are enabled, including cool ‘n’ quiet, EIST, C1E and other things. The test under full load of the processors we rely on the good old prime95 in the latest version. We reveal what displays the Voltcraft device at the end directly to the outlet, in the following diagrams.

Temperature

The determination of the maximum temperature is parallel to the measurement of power consumption. This will read about tools, as well once again checked by means of infrared thermometers.

The temperatures are cross-platform limited to compare, between AMD and Intel processors, this is not possible. In particular with the AMD models is that the values are too inaccurate, or simply not able to vote and superficially must recalculate with the thermometer to again and again. Is the real core temperature expected to be so much higher all AMD models, which is why you should attach no too high value to this analysis.

Undervolting

The new processors are more all already no huge power guzzler, but goes as usual somewhat less power consumption. Since manufacturers can work their products always with great certainty and thus completely on stability trimmed. You can make but this advantage.

Two already very energy-efficient models, we can reduce the voltage again to 0.15 V. Thus, the CPU with all features including Hyper-Threading enabled under permanent stress with a volt voltage acts. The difference between the idle and maximum consumption of processor shrinks together in 32 or 34 Watts for the core i3-2100 or 2120. That not all too much about the tension get themselves can be, finally reason is that the processors of House in their maximum possible current are limited, the tension but acts like at all “Sandy Bridge”. In various load scenarios can the processor at the same voltage so use less energy thanks to lowered maximum amperage and this cast so to waste heat, and therefore also a lower cooling solution is necessary and actually be less so the TDP rating.

Overclocking

At the “Sandy Bridge”, the overclocking is we know that no simple matter more, whose negative page hits for the first time correctly when the dual-core models. Because Intel allows overclocking only about Turbo mode, because that have core i3 but no, this option falls completely flat.

What remains are a few megahertz in the BCLK, where the model i3-2100 already sail removes core at 104 MHz, core i3-2120 “after all” comes on 106 MHz. So to win at the end but not even 200 MHz, which is why the processors in this sector be regarded simply as not over clock bar. Intel new motto ‘you get what you pay for’ suggests here the first time properly to.

Performance per watt

Our performance-power rating is also still in the testing status. For the time being we have decided as the power input for the final performance rating. Because this happens under appropriate load, we put at the maximum power consumption as a reference even though she may be not for all applications.

On request, we will indicate also the maximum performance when compared to the idle value and compared to the value of the difference between full load and idle. There the likelihood is higher, since much more impact, for example, the selected motherboard. There are, for example, five watt difference, which accounts for only a negligible fraction under full load at 180 Watts. This aspect, however, plays a much larger role in the idle at only 80 watts.