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InnoReviews

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i3-2120

WINNER
I
41Inno Score
VS
I
20Inno Score
55.3Single-core20
34.2Multi-core20
36Gaming20
16 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121000 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+35) and gaming (+16). Intel Core i3-2120 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

  • Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 20
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 20
  • Stronger gaming score: 36 vs 20
  • 900% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 1 MB
  • 483% higher PassMark: 14,000 vs 2,400
  • Lower launch price: $122 vs $138

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120

No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-2120
Announced2022+1%2011
SocketLGA1700LGA1155
Process10 nm+69%32 nm
Base TDP60 W+8%65 W
Max turbo power89 W—
Unlocked multiplierNoNo
Cooler includedYesYes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-2120
Cores4+100%2
Performance cores4+100%2
Efficiency cores00
Threads8+100%4
Base clock3.3 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock4.3 GHz+30%3.3 GHz
L2 cache5 MB+900%1 MB
L3 cache12 MB+300%3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-2120
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 730Intel HD Graphics 2000
iGPU clock1,400 MHz+27%1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-2120
Memory supportDDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200DDR3-1333
Max memory128 GB+300%32 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-2120
PCIe version5+150%2
CPU PCIe lanes20+25%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-2120
Geekbench 6 (single)2,050+163%Top 36%780Top 100%
Geekbench 6 (multi)6,700+319%Top 60%1,600Top 100%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,680Top 35%—
Cinebench R23 (multi)8,700Top 66%—
PassMark14,000+483%Top 66%2,400Top 100%

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