How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i5-10600K scores 36.3/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-10600K wins 15.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i5-10600K?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $262. Intel Core i5-10600K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 36 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 35 vs 20; 504% higher PassMark: 14,500 vs 2,400; 306% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 6,500 vs 1,600; 300% higher L3 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i5-10600K?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $262 for the Intel Core i5-10600K.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-10600K

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-10600K

$262

20Single-core36.4

20Multi-core34.7

20Gamingspec-based39.2

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212015 spec wins — Intel Core i5-10600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-10600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 36.3 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+16) and multi-core (+15). 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

48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $138 vs $262

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-10600K

Stronger single-core score: 36 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 35 vs 20
504% higher PassMark: 14,500 vs 2,400
306% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 6,500 vs 1,600
300% higher L3 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10600K
Announced	2011	2020
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1200
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W+48%	125 W
Max turbo power	—	182 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10600K
Cores	2	6+200%
Performance cores	2	6+200%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	12+200%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	4.1 GHz+24%
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	4.8 GHz+45%
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 i5-10600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10600K
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10600K
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 i5-10600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10600K
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-10600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-10600K
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Bottom 1%	1,560+100%Bottom 33%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Bottom 1%	6,500+306%Bottom 31%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,230Bottom 25%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	9,200Bottom 32%
PassMark	2,400Bottom 1%	14,500+504%Bottom 26%

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