How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i7-6700K scores 27.8/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-6700K wins 15.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i7-6700K?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 29% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 91 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $339. Intel Core i7-6700K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 31 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 27 vs 20; 271% higher PassMark: 8,900 vs 2,400; 191% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 4,650 vs 1,600; 167% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i7-6700K?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $339 for the Intel Core i7-6700K.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-6700K

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-6700K

$339

20Single-core30.7

20Multi-core27

20Gamingspec-based25.6

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212015 spec wins — Intel Core i7-6700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-6700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 27.8 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+11) and multi-core (+7). 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

29% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 91 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $138 vs $339

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-6700K

Stronger single-core score: 31 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 27 vs 20
271% higher PassMark: 8,900 vs 2,400
191% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 4,650 vs 1,600
167% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-6700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-6700K
Announced	2011	2015
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W+29%	91 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-6700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-6700K
Cores	2	4+100%
Performance cores	2	4+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	8+100%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	4 GHz+21%
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	4.2 GHz+27%
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 i7-6700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-6700K
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel HD Graphics 530
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,150 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-6700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-6700K
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600
Max memory	32 GB	64 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-6700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-6700K
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-6700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-6700K
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Bottom 1%	1,420+82%Bottom 25%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Bottom 1%	4,650+191%Bottom 18%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,090Bottom 15%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	5,000Bottom 14%
PassMark	2,400Bottom 1%	8,900+271%Bottom 13%

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