How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i5-4590 scores 22.4/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 1 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-4590 wins 12.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i5-4590?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 23% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 84 W; Lower launch price: $138 vs $192. Intel Core i5-4590 advantages: 133% higher PassMark: 5,600 vs 2,400; 100% higher cores: 4 vs 2; 100% higher Performance cores: 4 vs 2; 100% higher L2 cache: 1 MB vs 1 MB; 100% higher L3 cache: 6 MB vs 3 MB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i5-4590?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $192 for the Intel Core i5-4590.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-4590

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-4590

$192

20Single-core21.8

20Multi-core22.8

20Gaming22.5

1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212012 spec wins — Intel Core i5-4590

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-4590 wins this desktop processor face-off, 22.4 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+3) and gaming (+3). 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

23% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 84 W
Lower launch price: $138 vs $192

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-4590

133% higher PassMark: 5,600 vs 2,400
100% higher cores: 4 vs 2
100% higher Performance cores: 4 vs 2
100% higher L2 cache: 1 MB vs 1 MB
100% higher L3 cache: 6 MB vs 3 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-4590
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-4590
Announced	2011	2014
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1150
Process	32 nm	22 nm+31%
Base TDP	65 W+23%	84 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-4590
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-4590
Cores	2	4+100%
Performance cores	2	4+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
L2 cache	1 MB	1 MB+100%
L3 cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-4590
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-4590
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel HD Graphics 4600
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,150 MHz+5%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-4590
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-4590
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1600
Max memory	32 GB	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-4590
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-4590
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-4590
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-4590
Geekbench 6 (single)	780	1,100+41%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600	2,900+81%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	920
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	3,500
PassMark	2,400	5,600+133%

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