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Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i9-14900KS

Intel Core i3-2120
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core i9-14900KS
89.8Inno Score
20Single-core92.1
20Multi-core96.7
20Gamingspec-based74.4
3 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core i9-14900KS

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-14900KS wins this desktop processor face-off, 89.8 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+77) and single-core (+72). 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

  • 57% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 150 W
  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $689

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-14900KS

  • Stronger single-core score: 92 vs 20
  • Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 20
  • 6300% higher L2 cache: 32 MB vs 1 MB
  • 2546% higher PassMark: 63,500 vs 2,400
  • 1263% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,800 vs 1,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-14900KS
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-14900KS
Announced20112024+1%
SocketLGA1155LGA1700
Process32 nm10 nm+69%
Base TDP65 W+57%150 W
Max turbo power—253 W
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-14900KS
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-14900KS
Cores224+1100%
Performance cores28+300%
Efficiency cores016
Threads432+700%
Base clock3.3 GHz+3%3.2 GHz
Boost clock3.3 GHz6.2 GHz+88%
L2 cache1 MB32 MB+6300%
L3 cache3 MB36 MB+1100%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-14900KS
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-14900KS
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock1,100 MHz1,650 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-14900KS
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-14900KS
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200
Max memory32 GB192 GB+500%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-14900KS
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-14900KS
PCIe version25+150%
CPU PCIe lanes1620+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-14900KS
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-14900KS
Geekbench 6 (single)780Bottom 1%3,250+317%Top 9%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Bottom 1%21,800+1263%Top 6%
Cinebench R23 (single)—2,360Top 3%
Cinebench R23 (multi)—41,500Top 6%
PassMark2,400Bottom 1%63,500+2546%Top 5%

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