Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-12700F
20Single-core69.9
20Multi-core50.4
20Gamingspec-based57.5
1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212013 spec wins — Intel Core i7-12700F
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i7-12700F wins this desktop processor face-off, 58 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+50) and multi-core (+30). 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
- 57% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz
- Lower launch price: $138 vs $345
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-12700F
- Stronger single-core score: 70 vs 20
- Stronger multi-core score: 50 vs 20
- 2300% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 1 MB
- 1156% higher PassMark: 30,148 vs 2,400
- 733% higher L3 cache: 25 MB vs 3 MB
General
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2011 | 2022+1% |
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 32 nm | 10 nm+69% |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Max turbo power | — | 180 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
| Cooler included | Yes | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 2 | 12+500% |
| Performance cores | 2 | 8+300% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 4 |
| Threads | 4 | 20+400% |
| Base clock | 3.3 GHz+57% | 2.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.3 GHz | 4.9 GHz+48% |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 12 MB+2300% |
| L3 cache | 3 MB | 25 MB+733% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| iGPU clock | 1,100 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR3-1333 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 2 | 5+150% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 780Bottom 1% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 1,600Bottom 1% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 1,898Top 34% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | — | 15,291Top 45% |
| PassMark | 2,400Bottom 1% | 30,148+1156%Top 40% |
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