Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-8700
20Single-core35.3
20Multi-core33.3
20Gaming37.9
1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212014 spec wins — Intel Core i7-8700
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i7-8700 wins this desktop processor face-off, 35 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+18) and Single-core (+15). 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
- Lower launch price: $138 vs $303
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-8700
- Stronger Single-core score: 35 vs 20
- Stronger Multi-core score: 33 vs 20
- Stronger gaming score: 38 vs 20
- 442% higher PassMark: 13,000 vs 2,400
- 300% higher L3 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB
General
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2011 | 2017 |
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm+56% |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
| Cooler included | Yes | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 2 | 6+200% |
| Performance cores | 2 | 6+200% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 4 | 12+200% |
| Base clock | 3.3 GHz+3% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.3 GHz | 4.6 GHz+39% |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+200% |
| L3 cache | 3 MB | 12 MB+300% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | 1,100 MHz | 1,200 MHz+9% |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 2 | 3+50% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 16 | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 780Top 100% | 1,500+92%Top 65% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 1,600Top 100% | 6,400+300%Top 65% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 1,230Top 68% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | — | 8,400Top 68% |
| PassMark | 2,400Top 100% | 13,000+442%Top 71% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i3-3220VSIntel Core i3-2120vs AMD Ryzen 3 1200VSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-3470VSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-4590VSIntel Core i7-8700vs AMD Ryzen 7 2700XVSIntel Core i7-8700vs Intel Core i5-10600KVSIntel Core i7-8700vs Intel Core i7-8700KVSIntel Core i7-8700vs Intel Core i5-11400VS