How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i5-6500 scores 23.5/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-6500 wins 12.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i5-6500?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: Lower launch price: $138 vs $192. Intel Core i5-6500 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 26 vs 20; 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.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i5-6500?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $192 for the Intel Core i5-6500.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-6500

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-6500

$192

20Single-core25.6

20Multi-core22.9

20Gaming21.9

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212012 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6500

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-6500 wins this desktop processor face-off, 23.5 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+6) and Multi-core (+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

Lower launch price: $138 vs $192

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500

Stronger Single-core score: 26 vs 20
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

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-6500
Announced	2011	2015
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W	65 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-6500
Cores	2	4+100%
Performance cores	2	4+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
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 i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-6500
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel HD Graphics 530
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz+5%	1,050 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-6500
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600
Max memory	32 GB	64 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-6500
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-6500
Geekbench 6 (single)	780	1,180+51%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600	3,050+91%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	3,500
PassMark	2,400	5,600+133%

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