How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i5-10400F scores 32.2/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 1 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-10400F wins 10.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i5-10400F?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 14% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz; Lower launch price: $138 vs $173. Intel Core i5-10400F advantages: Stronger single-core score: 29 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 33 vs 20; 404% higher PassMark: 12,094 vs 2,400; 300% higher L3 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB; 300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i5-10400F?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $173 for the Intel Core i5-10400F.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-10400F

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-10400F

$173

20Single-core28.6

20Multi-core32.5

20Gamingspec-based36

1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212010 spec wins — Intel Core i5-10400F

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-10400F wins this desktop processor face-off, 32.2 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+13) and single-core (+9). 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 i3-2120

14% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz
Lower launch price: $138 vs $173

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-10400F

Stronger single-core score: 29 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 33 vs 20
404% higher PassMark: 12,094 vs 2,400
300% higher L3 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB
300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10400F
Announced	2011	2020
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1200
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W	65 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	—

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10400F
Cores	2	6+200%
Performance cores	2	—
Efficiency cores	0	—
Threads	4	12+200%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+14%	2.9 GHz
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	4.3 GHz+30%
L2 cache	1 MB	2 MB+200%
L3 cache	3 MB	12 MB+300%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10400F
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10400F
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2666
Max memory	32 GB	128 GB+300%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10400F
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10400F
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Bottom 1%	—
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Bottom 1%	—
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,114Bottom 19%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	8,219Bottom 27%
PassMark	2,400Bottom 1%	12,094+404%Bottom 19%

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