How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i7-3770 scores 23.7/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 1 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-3770 wins 13.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i7-3770?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 16% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 77 W; Lower launch price: $138 vs $294. Intel Core i7-3770 advantages: Stronger multi-core score: 25 vs 20; 192% higher PassMark: 7,000 vs 2,400; 167% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB; 122% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 3,550 vs 1,600; 100% higher cores: 4 vs 2.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i7-3770?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $294 for the Intel Core i7-3770.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-3770

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-3770

$294

20Single-core22.5

20Multi-core24.5

20Gamingspec-based23.8

1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212013 spec wins — Intel Core i7-3770

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-3770 wins this desktop processor face-off, 23.7 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+5) and single-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

16% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 77 W
Lower launch price: $138 vs $294

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-3770

Stronger multi-core score: 25 vs 20
192% higher PassMark: 7,000 vs 2,400
167% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB
122% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 3,550 vs 1,600
100% higher cores: 4 vs 2

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-3770
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-3770
Announced	2011	2012
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
Process	32 nm	22 nm+31%
Base TDP	65 W+16%	77 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-3770
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-3770
Cores	2	4+100%
Performance cores	2	4+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	8+100%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.4 GHz+3%
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	3.9 GHz+18%
L2 cache	1 MB	1 MB+100%
L3 cache	3 MB	8 MB+167%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-3770
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-3770
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel HD Graphics 4000
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,150 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-3770
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-3770
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1600
Max memory	32 GB	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-3770
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-3770
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-3770
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-3770
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Bottom 1%	1,100+41%Bottom 8%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Bottom 1%	3,550+122%Bottom 12%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	980Bottom 9%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	4,100Bottom 10%
PassMark	2,400Bottom 1%	7,000+192%Bottom 9%

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