Intel Core i3-8121U vs AMD Phenom II X2 N640

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i3-8121U and AMD Phenom II X2 N640 processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

Intel Core i3-8121U

AMD Phenom II X2 N640

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i3-8121U

CPU is newer: launch date 7 year(s) 6 month(s) later
2 more threads: 4 vs 2
Around 7% higher clock speed: 3.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 10 nm vs 45 nm
2.3x lower typical power consumption: 15 Watt vs 35 Watt
Around 73% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 1944 vs 1121
3.9x better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 4391 vs 1135

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	2 April 2018 vs 1 October 2010
Number of threads	4 vs 2
Maximum frequency	3.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	10 nm vs 45 nm
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	15 Watt vs 35 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	1944 vs 1121
PassMark - CPU mark	4391 vs 1135

Reasons to consider the AMD Phenom II X2 N640

2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
4x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
2.1x better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1705 vs 829
Around 47% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 2863 vs 1948

Specifications (specs)
L1 cache	256 KB vs 128 KB
L2 cache	2 MB vs 512 KB
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1705 vs 829
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	2863 vs 1948

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i3-8121U
CPU 2: AMD Phenom II X2 N640

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

1944

1121

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

4391

1135

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

829

1705

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1948

2863

Name	Intel Core i3-8121U	AMD Phenom II X2 N640
PassMark - Single thread mark	1944	1121
PassMark - CPU mark	4391	1135
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	829	1705
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1948	2863

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i3-8121U	AMD Phenom II X2 N640
Essentials
Architecture codename	Cannon-Lake 2+0	Champlain
Launch date	2 April 2018	1 October 2010
Place in performance rating	1740	1745
Series	Intel Core i3	AMD Phenom II Dual-Core Mobile Processors
Vertical segment	Laptop	Laptop
Family		AMD Phenom
OPN Tray		HMN640DCR23GM
Performance
64 bit support
Die size	123 mm
L1 cache	128 KB	256 KB
L2 cache	512 KB	2 MB
L3 cache	4 MB
Manufacturing process technology	10 nm	45 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C
Maximum frequency	3.1 GHz	2.9 GHz
Number of cores	2	2
Number of threads	4	2
Base frequency		2.8 GHz
Front-side bus (FSB)		3600 MHz
Maximum core temperature		100°C
Unlocked
Memory
Supported memory types	DDR4
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	15 Watt	35 Watt
Sockets supported		S1
Security & Reliability
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® AES New Instructions
VirusProtect
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)