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InnoReviews

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i9-10850K

I
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core i9-10850K
46.8Inno Score
20Single-core40.7
20Multi-core47
20Gaming54
2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core i9-10850K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-10850K wins this desktop processor face-off, 46.8 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+34) and Multi-core (+27). 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

  • 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $453

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-10850K

  • Stronger Single-core score: 41 vs 20
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 47 vs 20
  • Stronger gaming score: 54 vs 20
  • 846% higher PassMark: 22,700 vs 2,400
  • 567% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 3 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10850K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-10850K
Announced20112020
SocketLGA1155LGA1200
Process32 nm14 nm+56%
Base TDP65 W+48%125 W
Max turbo power250 W
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10850K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-10850K
Cores210+400%
Performance cores210+400%
Efficiency cores00
Threads420+400%
Base clock3.3 GHz3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock3.3 GHz5.2 GHz+58%
L2 cache1 MB3 MB+400%
L3 cache3 MB20 MB+567%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10850K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-10850K
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock1,100 MHz1,200 MHz+9%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10850K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-10850K
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR4-2933
Max memory32 GB128 GB+300%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10850K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-10850K
PCIe version23+50%
CPU PCIe lanes1616

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10850K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-10850K
Geekbench 6 (single)780Top 100%1,700+118%Top 52%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Top 100%10,100+531%Top 39%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,310Top 57%
Cinebench R23 (multi)15,700Top 34%
PassMark2,400Top 100%22,700+846%Top 42%

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