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Intel Core i3-2120 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285

Intel Core i3-2120
20Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Intel Core Ultra 9 285
82.2Inno Score
20Single-core84.7
20Multi-core86.9
20Gamingspec-based70.7
1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-212015 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 285

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins this desktop processor face-off, 82.2 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+67) and single-core (+65). 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% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $549

Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 285

  • Stronger single-core score: 85 vs 20
  • Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 20
  • 7900% higher L2 cache: 40 MB vs 1 MB
  • 2307% higher PassMark: 57,762 vs 2,400
  • 1145% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 19,926 vs 1,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 9 285
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 9 285
Announced20112025+1%
SocketLGA1155LGA1851
Process32 nm3 nm+91%
Base TDP65 W65 W
Max turbo power—182 W
Unlocked multiplierNoNo
Cooler includedYes—

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 9 285
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 9 285
Cores224+1100%
Performance cores28+300%
Efficiency cores016
Threads424+500%
Base clock3.3 GHz+32%2.5 GHz
Boost clock3.3 GHz5.6 GHz+70%
L2 cache1 MB40 MB+7900%
L3 cache3 MB36 MB+1100%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 9 285
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 9 285
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel Graphics
iGPU clock1,100 MHz2,000 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 9 285
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 9 285
Memory supportDDR3-1333DDR5-6400
Max memory32 GB256 GB+700%
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 9 285
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 9 285
PCIe version25+150%
CPU PCIe lanes1624+50%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-2120 versus Intel Core Ultra 9 285
SpecIntel Core i3-2120Intel Core Ultra 9 285
Geekbench 6 (single)780Bottom 1%3,061+292%Top 16%
Geekbench 6 (multi)1,600Bottom 1%19,926+1145%Top 13%
PassMark2,400Bottom 1%57,762+2307%Top 11%

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