i9-12900KF vs i3-2120

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23
Core i9-12900KF
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
25.87
+2003%

Core i9-12900KF outperforms Core i3-2120 by a whopping 2003% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2322193
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.1438.49
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i9
Power efficiency1.7919.59
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date20 February 2011 (13 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$95$564

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KF has 27393% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF 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)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads424
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 4.0
Bus rate5 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplierno data32
L1 cache64 KB (per core)768 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)4 MB
L3 cache3 MB (shared)6 MB
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size131 mm2215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors504 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF 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
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection+-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000no data
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 Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF.

PCIe version2.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes1620

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
i9-12900KF 25.87
+2003%

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
i9-12900KF 41101
+2001%

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
i9-12900KF 2603
+424%

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 1023
i9-12900KF 15112
+1377%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.23 25.87
Recency 20 February 2011 27 October 2021
Physical cores 2 16
Threads 4 24
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 125 Watt

i3-2120 has 92.3% lower power consumption.

i9-12900KF, on the other hand, has a 2003.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 10 years, and 700% more physical cores and 500% more threads.

The Core i9-12900KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-2120 and Core i9-12900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120
Intel Core i9-12900KF
Core i9-12900KF

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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