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InnoReviews

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-11700K

I
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core i7-11700K
47.3Inno Score
20Single-core47.9
20Multi-core46.8
20Gaming47.4
2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212017 spec wins — Intel Core i7-11700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-11700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.3 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+28) 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

  • 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $399

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-11700K

  • Stronger Single-core score: 48 vs 20
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 47 vs 20
  • Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 20
  • 929% higher PassMark: 24,700 vs 2,400
  • 700% higher L2 cache: 4 MB vs 1 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-11700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-11700K
Announced20112021
SocketLGA1155LGA1200
Process32 nm14 nm+56%
Base TDP65 W+48%125 W
Max turbo power251 W
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-11700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-11700K
Cores28+300%
Performance cores28+300%
Efficiency cores00
Threads416+300%
Base clock3.3 GHz3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock3.3 GHz5 GHz+52%
L2 cache1 MB4 MB+700%
L3 cache3 MB16 MB+433%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-11700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-11700K
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel UHD Graphics 750
iGPU clock1,100 MHz1,300 MHz+18%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-11700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-11700K
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR4-3200
Max memory32 GB128 GB+300%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-11700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-11700K
PCIe version24+100%
CPU PCIe lanes1620+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-11700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-11700K
Geekbench 6 (single)780Top 100%1,800+131%Top 46%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Top 100%9,600+500%Top 42%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,550Top 42%
Cinebench R23 (multi)15,000Top 36%
PassMark2,400Top 100%24,700+929%Top 39%

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