How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i5-9600K scores 32/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-9600K wins 16.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i5-9600K?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $262. Intel Core i5-9600K advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 36 vs 20; Stronger Multi-core score: 30 vs 20; Stronger gaming score: 31 vs 20; 367% higher PassMark: 11,200 vs 2,400; 300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i5-9600K?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $262 for the Intel Core i5-9600K.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i5-9600K

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-9600K

$262

20Single-core36

20Multi-core29.8

20Gaming31

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-9600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 32 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+16) and gaming (+11). 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% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $138 vs $262

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9600K

Stronger Single-core score: 36 vs 20
Stronger Multi-core score: 30 vs 20
Stronger gaming score: 31 vs 20
367% higher PassMark: 11,200 vs 2,400
300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-9600K
Announced	2011	2018
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151-v2
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	—	119 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-9600K
Cores	2	6+200%
Performance cores	2	6+200%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	6+50%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	4.6 GHz+39%
L2 cache	1 MB	2 MB+200%
L3 cache	3 MB	9 MB+200%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-9600K
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,150 MHz+5%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-9600K
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2666
Max memory	32 GB	128 GB+300%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-9600K
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i5-9600K
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Top 100%	1,580+103%Top 56%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Top 100%	5,000+213%Top 76%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,200Top 72%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	6,700Top 75%
PassMark	2,400Top 100%	11,200+367%Top 76%

Related comparisons

Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i3-3220VS Intel Core i3-2120vs AMD Ryzen 3 1200VS Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-3470VS Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-4590VS Intel Core i5-9600Kvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VS Intel Core i5-9600Kvs Intel Core i7-5960XVS Intel Core i5-9600Kvs Intel Core i5-10400VS Intel Core i5-9600Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 2600VS

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