How do the scores compare?

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

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

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 32% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz; Lower launch price: $138 vs $167. Intel Core i5-12400F advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 56 vs 20; Stronger Multi-core score: 42 vs 20; Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 20; 1400% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB; 721% higher PassMark: 19,700 vs 2,400.

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

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $167 for the Intel Core i5-12400F.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-12400F

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12400F

$167

20Single-core56.4

20Multi-core41.7

20Gaming46.5

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

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12400F wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.3 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+36) and gaming (+27). 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 $167

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12400F

Stronger Single-core score: 56 vs 20
Stronger Multi-core score: 42 vs 20
Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 20
1400% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB
721% higher PassMark: 19,700 vs 2,400

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400F
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 i5-12400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400F
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 i5-12400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400F
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	—

Memory

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

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-12400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-12400F
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Top 100%	2,100+169%Top 32%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Top 100%	9,400+488%Top 43%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,690Top 33%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	11,900Top 47%
PassMark	2,400Top 100%	19,700+721%Top 49%

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