How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100 overall; Intel Core i9-13900K scores 84.9/100. Intel Core i3-2120 wins 3 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-13900K wins 17.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-2120 and the Intel Core i9-13900K?

Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W; 10% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $589. Intel Core i9-13900K advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 84 vs 20; Stronger Multi-core score: 93 vs 20; Stronger gaming score: 72 vs 20; 6300% higher L2 cache: 32 MB vs 1 MB; 2379% higher PassMark: 59,500 vs 2,400.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-2120 or Intel Core i9-13900K?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $589 for the Intel Core i9-13900K.

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i9-13900K

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-13900K

$589

20Single-core84.3

20Multi-core92.6

20Gaming71.9

3 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212017 spec wins — Intel Core i9-13900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-13900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 84.9 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+73) and Single-core (+64). 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
10% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $138 vs $589

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-13900K

Stronger Single-core score: 84 vs 20
Stronger Multi-core score: 93 vs 20
Stronger gaming score: 72 vs 20
6300% higher L2 cache: 32 MB vs 1 MB
2379% higher PassMark: 59,500 vs 2,400

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-13900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-13900K
Announced	2011	2022+1%
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1700
Process	32 nm	10 nm+69%
Base TDP	65 W+48%	125 W
Max turbo power	—	253 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-13900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-13900K
Cores	2	24+1100%
Performance cores	2	8+300%
Efficiency cores	0	16
Threads	4	32+700%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
Boost clock	3.3 GHz	5.8 GHz+76%
L2 cache	1 MB	32 MB+6300%
L3 cache	3 MB	36 MB+1100%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-13900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-13900K
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,650 MHz+50%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-13900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-13900K
Memory support	DDR3-1333	DDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	32 GB	128 GB+300%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-13900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-13900K
PCIe version	2	5+150%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	20+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-13900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-2120	Intel Core i9-13900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	780Top 100%	2,950+278%Top 10%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	1,600Top 100%	20,500+1181%Top 6%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	2,250Top 5%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	39,500Top 5%
PassMark	2,400Top 100%	59,500+2379%Top 6%

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