How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i9-10900K scores 47.9/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-10900K wins 15.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i9-10900K?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $488. Intel Core i9-10900K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 42 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 48 vs 20; 888% higher PassMark: 23,700 vs 2,400; 567% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 3 MB; 550% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 10,400 vs 1,600.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i9-10900K?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-10900K.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i9-10900K

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-10900K

$488

20Single-core41.9

20Multi-core48.2

20Gamingspec-based54.6

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212015 spec wins — Intel Core i9-10900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-10900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.9 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+28) and single-core (+22). 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 $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-10900K

Stronger single-core score: 42 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 48 vs 20
888% higher PassMark: 23,700 vs 2,400
567% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 3 MB
550% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 10,400 vs 1,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-10900K
Announced	2011	2020
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1200
Process	32 nm	14 nm+56%
Base TDP	65 W+48%	125 W
Max turbo power	—	250 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-10900K
Cores	2	10+400%
Performance cores	2	10+400%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	20+400%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	5.3 GHz+61%
L2 cache	1 MB	3 MB+400%
L3 cache	3 MB	20 MB+567%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-10900K
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 i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-10900K
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2933
Max memory	32 GB	128 GB+300%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-10900K
PCIe version	2	3+50%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-10900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Bottom 1%	1,730+122%Bottom 42%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Bottom 1%	10,400+550%Top 50%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,340Bottom 38%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	16,300Top 40%
PassMark	2,400Bottom 1%	23,700+888%Bottom 43%

Related comparisons

Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i3-3220VS Intel Core i3-2120vs AMD Ryzen 3 1200VS Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-3470VS Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-4590VS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 5600VS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i5-12400VS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i5-12400FVS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i7-11700KVS

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