How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i7-9700K scores 37.6/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-9700K wins 16.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i7-9700K?

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 $374. Intel Core i7-9700K advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 39 vs 20; Stronger Multi-core score: 36 vs 20; Stronger gaming score: 40 vs 20; 496% higher PassMark: 14,300 vs 2,400; 338% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 7,000 vs 1,600.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i7-9700K?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $374 for the Intel Core i7-9700K.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i7-9700K

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-9700K

$374

20Single-core39

20Multi-core35.5

20Gaming39.8

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core i7-9700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-9700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 37.6 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+20) and Single-core (+19). 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 $374

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-9700K

Stronger Single-core score: 39 vs 20
Stronger Multi-core score: 36 vs 20
Stronger gaming score: 40 vs 20
496% higher PassMark: 14,300 vs 2,400
338% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 7,000 vs 1,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-9700K
Announced	2011	2018
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151-v2
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	—	119 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-9700K
Cores	2	8+300%
Performance cores	2	8+300%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	8+100%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	4.9 GHz+48%
L2 cache	1 MB	2 MB+300%
L3 cache	3 MB	12 MB+300%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-9700K
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,200 MHz+9%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-9700K
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2666
Max memory	32 GB	128 GB+300%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-9700K
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i7-9700K
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Top 100%	1,680+115%Top 53%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Top 100%	7,000+338%Top 57%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,250Top 66%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	9,700Top 59%
PassMark	2,400Top 100%	14,300+496%Top 64%

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