How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i7-5960X scores 32.3/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 3 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-5960X wins 16.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 54% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 140 W; 10% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $999. Intel Core i7-5960X advantages: Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 20; Stronger gaming score: 43 vs 20; 567% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 3 MB; 558% higher PassMark: 15,800 vs 2,400; 300% higher cores: 8 vs 2.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $999 for the Intel Core i7-5960X.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-5960X

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-5960X

$999

20Single-core20.5

20Multi-core34.1

20Gaming43.4

3 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-5960X wins this desktop processor face-off, 32.3 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+23) and Multi-core (+14). 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

54% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 140 W
10% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $138 vs $999

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X

Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 20
Stronger gaming score: 43 vs 20
567% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 3 MB
558% higher PassMark: 15,800 vs 2,400
300% higher cores: 8 vs 2

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-5960X
Announced	2011	2014
Socket	LGA1155	LGA2011-v3
Process	32 nm	22 nm+31%
Base TDP	65 W+54%	140 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-5960X
Cores	2	8+300%
Performance cores	2	8+300%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	16+300%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
L2 cache	1 MB	2 MB+300%
L3 cache	3 MB	20 MB+567%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-5960X
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-5960X
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2133
Max memory	32 GB	64 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	4+100%

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-5960X
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	40+150%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-5960X
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Top 100%	1,030+32%Top 96%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Top 100%	6,100+281%Top 69%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	870Top 97%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	8,300Top 70%
PassMark	2,400Top 100%	15,800+558%Top 60%

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