How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i7-8700K scores 36.4/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-8700K wins 15.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i7-8700K?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $359. Intel Core i7-8700K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 37 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 35 vs 20; 479% higher PassMark: 13,900 vs 2,400; 325% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 6,800 vs 1,600; 300% higher L3 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i7-8700K?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $359 for the Intel Core i7-8700K.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-8700K

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-8700K

$359

20Single-core37.3

20Multi-core34.7

20Gamingspec-based38.5

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212015 spec wins — Intel Core i7-8700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-8700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 36.4 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+17) and multi-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

32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $138 vs $359

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-8700K

Stronger single-core score: 37 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 35 vs 20
479% higher PassMark: 13,900 vs 2,400
325% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 6,800 vs 1,600
300% higher L3 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-8700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-8700K
Announced	2011	2017
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151-v2
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-8700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-8700K
Cores	2	6+200%
Performance cores	2	6+200%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	12+200%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	4.7 GHz+42%
L2 cache	1 MB	2 MB+200%
L3 cache	3 MB	12 MB+300%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-8700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-8700K
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-8700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-8700K
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2666
Max memory	32 GB	64 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-8700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-8700K
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-8700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-8700K
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Bottom 1%	1,560+100%Bottom 33%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Bottom 1%	6,800+325%Bottom 35%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,270Bottom 29%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	9,200Bottom 32%
PassMark	2,400Bottom 1%	13,900+479%Bottom 23%

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