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Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-13600K

Intel Core i3-2120
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core i5-13600K
66.5Inno Score
20Single-core75.1
20Multi-core65.5
20Gamingspec-based57.8
2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212017 spec wins — Intel Core i5-13600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-13600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 66.5 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+55) and multi-core (+46). 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 $319

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-13600K

  • Stronger single-core score: 75 vs 20
  • Stronger multi-core score: 66 vs 20
  • 3900% higher L2 cache: 20 MB vs 1 MB
  • 1496% higher PassMark: 38,300 vs 2,400
  • 869% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 15,500 vs 1,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-13600K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i5-13600K
Announced20112022+1%
SocketLGA1155LGA1700
Process32 nm10 nm+69%
Base TDP65 W+48%125 W
Max turbo power—181 W
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-13600K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i5-13600K
Cores214+600%
Performance cores26+200%
Efficiency cores08
Threads420+400%
Base clock3.3 GHz3.5 GHz+6%
Boost clock3.3 GHz5.1 GHz+55%
L2 cache1 MB20 MB+3900%
L3 cache3 MB24 MB+700%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-13600K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i5-13600K
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock1,100 MHz1,550 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-13600K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i5-13600K
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200
Max memory32 GB128 GB+300%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-13600K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i5-13600K
PCIe version25+150%
CPU PCIe lanes1620+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-13600K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i5-13600K
Geekbench 6 (single)780Bottom 1%2,750+253%Top 31%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Bottom 1%15,500+869%Top 29%
Cinebench R23 (single)—2,000Top 25%
Cinebench R23 (multi)—24,000Top 24%
PassMark2,400Bottom 1%38,300+1496%Top 29%

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