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InnoReviews

Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core i9-9900K

I
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
I
42.5Inno Score
20Single-core40.4
20Multi-core41.2
20Gaming47.4
2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-9900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 42.5 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+27) and Multi-core (+21). 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

  • 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

  • Stronger Single-core score: 40 vs 20
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 41 vs 20
  • Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 20
  • 675% higher PassMark: 18,600 vs 2,400
  • 450% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 8,800 vs 1,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced20112018
SocketLGA1155LGA1151-v2
Process32 nm14 nm+56%
Base TDP65 W+32%95 W
Max turbo power—119 W
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores28+300%
Performance cores28+300%
Efficiency cores00
Threads416+300%
Base clock3.3 GHz3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock3.3 GHz5 GHz+52%
L2 cache1 MB2 MB+300%
L3 cache3 MB16 MB+433%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock1,100 MHz1,200 MHz+9%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR4-2666
Max memory32 GB128 GB+300%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version23+50%
CPU PCIe lanes1616

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)780Top 100%1,720+121%Top 51%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Top 100%8,800+450%Top 46%
Cinebench R23 (single)—1,280Top 62%
Cinebench R23 (multi)—12,400Top 45%
PassMark2,400Top 100%18,600+675%Top 53%

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