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Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235

Intel Core i3-2120
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core Ultra 5 235
67.5Inno Score
20Single-core80.2
20Multi-core64.9
20Gamingspec-based57.2
0 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212016 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 235

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins this desktop processor face-off, 67.5 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+60) and multi-core (+45). 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

  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $247

Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 235

  • Stronger single-core score: 80 vs 20
  • Stronger multi-core score: 65 vs 20
  • 5100% higher L2 cache: 26 MB vs 1 MB
  • 1458% higher PassMark: 37,396 vs 2,400
  • 1003% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 17,645 vs 1,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 5 235
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 5 235
Announced20112025+1%
SocketLGA1155LGA1851
Process32 nm3 nm+91%
Base TDP65 W65 W
Max turbo power—121 W
Unlocked multiplierNoNo
Cooler includedYes—

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 5 235
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 5 235
Cores214+600%
Performance cores26+200%
Efficiency cores08
Threads414+250%
Base clock3.3 GHz3.4 GHz+3%
Boost clock3.3 GHz5 GHz+52%
L2 cache1 MB26 MB+5100%
L3 cache3 MB24 MB+700%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 5 235
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 5 235
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel Graphics
iGPU clock1,100 MHz2,000 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 5 235
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 5 235
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR5-6400
Max memory32 GB256 GB+700%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 5 235
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 5 235
PCIe version25+150%
CPU PCIe lanes1624+50%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 5 235
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 5 235
Geekbench 6 (single)780Bottom 1%2,963+280%Top 21%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Bottom 1%17,645+1003%Top 22%
Cinebench R23 (single)—2,057Top 21%
Cinebench R23 (multi)—21,677Top 28%
PassMark2,400Bottom 1%37,396+1458%Top 31%

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