How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i5-12400 scores 47.3/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 1 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-12400 wins 14.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i5-12400?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 32% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz; Lower launch price: $138 vs $192. Intel Core i5-12400 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 56 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 42 vs 20; 1400% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB; 721% higher PassMark: 19,700 vs 2,400; 500% higher L3 cache: 18 MB vs 3 MB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i5-12400?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $192 for the Intel Core i5-12400.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-12400

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12400

$192

20Single-core56.4

20Multi-core41.7

20Gamingspec-based46.5

1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212014 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12400

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12400 wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.3 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+36) and multi-core (+22). 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

32% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
Lower launch price: $138 vs $192

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12400

Stronger single-core score: 56 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 42 vs 20
1400% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB
721% higher PassMark: 19,700 vs 2,400
500% higher L3 cache: 18 MB vs 3 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400
Announced	2011	2022+1%
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1700
Process	32 nm	10 nm+69%
Base TDP	65 W	65 W
Max turbo power	—	117 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400
Cores	2	6+200%
Performance cores	2	6+200%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	12+200%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+32%	2.5 GHz
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+33%
L2 cache	1 MB	8 MB+1400%
L3 cache	3 MB	18 MB+500%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,450 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	32 GB	128 GB+300%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400
PCIe version	2	5+150%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	20+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Bottom 1%	2,100+169%Top 46%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Bottom 1%	9,400+488%Bottom 47%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,690Top 45%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	11,900Bottom 44%
PassMark	2,400Bottom 1%	19,700+721%Bottom 35%

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