A9-9420 vs i3-2120

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Aggregate performance score

Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23
+30.9%
A9-9420
2016
2 cores / 2 threads, 15 Watt
0.94

Core i3-2120 outperforms A9-9420 by a substantial 31% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-2120 and A9-9420 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking23222523
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.14no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataAMD Bristol Ridge
Power efficiency1.795.93
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
Release date20 February 2011 (13 years ago)31 May 2016 (8 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$95no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-2120 and A9-9420 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads42
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)160 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1 MB (shared)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography32 nm28 nm
Die size131 mm2125 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °C90 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data74 °C
Number of transistors504 million1,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-2120 and A9-9420 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155FT4
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-2120 and A9-9420. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXVirtualization,
AES-NI-+
FMA-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-2120 and A9-9420 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-2120 and A9-9420 are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d-no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-2120 and A9-9420. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000Radeon R5
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-2120 and A9-9420 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-2120 and A9-9420.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes168

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-2120 1.23
+30.9%
A9-9420 0.94

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-2120 1956
+30.4%
A9-9420 1500

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i3-2120 497
+52.9%
A9-9420 325

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i3-2120 1022
+104%
A9-9420 500

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.23 0.94
Recency 20 February 2011 31 May 2016
Threads 4 2
Chip lithography 32 nm 28 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 15 Watt

i3-2120 has a 30.9% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more threads.

A9-9420, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 5 years, a 14.3% more advanced lithography process, and 333.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-2120 is our recommended choice as it beats the A9-9420 in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-2120 is a desktop processor while A9-9420 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-2120 and A9-9420, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120
AMD A9-9420
A9-9420

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

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