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Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-12700K

I
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core i7-12700K
63Inno Score
20Single-core69.4
20Multi-core61.5
20Gaming58.1
2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212018 spec wins — Intel Core i7-12700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-12700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 63 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+49) and Multi-core (+42). 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 $409

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-12700K

  • Stronger Single-core score: 69 vs 20
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 62 vs 20
  • Stronger gaming score: 58 vs 20
  • 2300% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 1 MB
  • 1338% higher PassMark: 34,500 vs 2,400

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-12700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-12700K
Announced20112021
SocketLGA1155LGA1700
Process32 nm10 nm+69%
Base TDP65 W+48%125 W
Max turbo power—190 W
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-12700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-12700K
Cores212+500%
Performance cores28+300%
Efficiency cores04
Threads420+400%
Base clock3.3 GHz3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock3.3 GHz5 GHz+52%
L2 cache1 MB12 MB+2300%
L3 cache3 MB25 MB+733%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-12700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-12700K
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock1,100 MHz1,500 MHz+36%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-12700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-12700K
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory32 GB128 GB+300%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-12700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-12700K
PCIe version25+150%
CPU PCIe lanes1620+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-12700K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i7-12700K
Geekbench 6 (single)780Top 100%2,500+221%Top 25%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Top 100%14,300+794%Top 23%
Cinebench R23 (single)—1,950Top 20%
Cinebench R23 (multi)—22,400Top 18%
PassMark2,400Top 100%34,500+1338%Top 23%

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