Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i9-14900K
20Single-core88.2
20Multi-core94.5
20Gamingspec-based73.2
3 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core i9-14900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-14900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 87.3 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+75) and single-core (+68). 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 $589
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-14900K
- Stronger single-core score: 88 vs 20
- Stronger multi-core score: 95 vs 20
- 6300% higher L2 cache: 32 MB vs 1 MB
- 2483% higher PassMark: 62,000 vs 2,400
- 1213% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,000 vs 1,600
General
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2011 | 2023+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
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 2 | 24+1100% |
| Performance cores | 2 | 8+300% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 16 |
| Threads | 4 | 32+700% |
| Base clock | 3.3 GHz+3% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.3 GHz | 6 GHz+82% |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 32 MB+6300% |
| L3 cache | 3 MB | 36 MB+1100% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | 1,100 MHz | 1,650 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR3-1333 | DDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 32 GB | 192 GB+500% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 2 | 5+150% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i3-2120 | Intel Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 780Bottom 1% | 3,130+301%Top 13% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 1,600Bottom 1% | 21,000+1213%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 2,280Top 4% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | — | 40,000Top 7% |
| PassMark | 2,400Bottom 1% | 62,000+2483%Top 7% |
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