Intel Core i3-3120M vs Intel Core i5-13600HX vs Intel Core i9-13950HX

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 i5-13600HX

The Intel Core i5-13600HX is a fast mid-range mobile processor of the Raptor Lake series. Is was announced in early 2023 and integrates 6 fast Raptor Cove performance cores (P-cores) with HyperThreading and 8 Gracemont efficiency cores without HyperThreading. The P-Cores clock between 2.6 GHz (base) up to 4.8 GHz (single core boost, all-core 4.5 GHz). The smaller E-Cores clock between 1.9 and 3.6 GHz. All cores can access the combined 24 MB L3 cache. The CPU supports vPro (Enterprise) management features.

Compared to Alder Lake, Raptor Lake offers improved P-Cores (Raptor Cove micro-architecture) with bigger caches and more E-Cores (same Gracemont micro-architecture). Furthermore, the chip supports faster DDR5 memory (up to 5600 MHz for the 13980HX, but only 4800 MHz for the i5).

Performance

While we have not tested a single system built around the 13600HX as of August 2023, we have plenty of performance data for the i7-13650HX, a chip with almost the same specs (six P-cores mated to eight E-cores, with the latter running at the same clock speeds as what the 13600HX has and the former running at up to 100 MHz faster which is a very small difference). Based on that, we expect the 13600HX to be just a few percentage points behind the i7-13700HX and the i9-12950HX, meaning it's a very, very fast CPU, as of mid 2023.

Your mileage may vary depending on how competent the cooling solution of your laptop is, and how high the CPU power limits are.

Power consumption

The chip's "minimum assured" power consumption sits at 45 W. Its peak Turbo power consumption is not supposed to go over 157 W and its Intel-recommended Base power consumption is 55 W. Most laptop makers will probably go for a noticeably higher value to get better performance.

The i5-13600HX is built with Intel's 4th generation 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for average, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

Intel Core i9-13950HX

The Intel Core i9-13950HX is a fast high-end mobile processor of the Raptor Lake-HX series. Is was announced in early 2023 and is based on the desktop Core i9-13000K with combined 24 cores and 32 threads. Eight fast Raptor Cove performance cores (P-cores) clocked from 2.2 to 5.5 GHz (single core, all core boost 4.9 GHz) with HyperThreading and sixteen Gracemont efficiency cores without HyperThreading clocked from 1.6 to 4 GHz. The 13950HX is very similar to the Core i9-13980HX, but with vPro Enterprise support and a 100 MHz reduced boost of the P-cores.

Compared to Alder Lake, Raptor Lake offers improved P-cores (Raptor Cove micro-architecture) with bigger Caches and more E-Cores (same Gracemont micro-architecture). Furthermore, the chip supports faster DDR5 memory (up to 5600 MHz for the 13980HX).

Performance

The average 13950HX in our database is in the same league as the i9-13980HX and the i9-13900HX while being noticeably faster than the Ryzen 9 7845HX, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. This is a very, very fast chip, as of mid 2023.

Thanks to its powerful cooling solution and a long-term CPU power limit of 145 W, the MSI GE78HX 13VH-070US is among the fastest laptops built around the 13950HX that we know of.

Power consumption

The chip's "minimum assured" power consumption is 45 W while its Turbo power consumption isn't supposed to go over 157 W. Intel suggests the "base" power consumption should be set to 55 W, which laptop makers aren't really obliged to do. Most will go for a higher value to get better performance.

This i9 series processor is manufactured on Intel's 4th generation 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for average, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.