i3-2120T vs i5-2400

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2400
2011
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.43
+151%
Core i3-2120T
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
0.97

Core i5-2400 outperforms Core i3-2120T by a whopping 151% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking17732499
Place by popularity41not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.860.15
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i5 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency2.422.62
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)4 September 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$60$50

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-2400 has 473% better value for money than i3-2120T.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.1 GHz2.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz2.6 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6144 KB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size216 mm2131 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C65 °C
Number of transistors1,160 million504 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T 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
SocketLGA1155FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T. 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® AVX
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
FDI++
Fast Memory Access++

Security technologies

Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Identity Protection++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel HD Graphics 2000
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported22

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes1616

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.

i5-2400 2.43
+151%
i3-2120T 0.97

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.

i5-2400 3866
+152%
i3-2120T 1533

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.

i5-2400 550
+38.2%
i3-2120T 398

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.

i5-2400 1599
+113%
i3-2120T 749

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.43 0.97
Recency 9 January 2011 4 September 2011
Physical cores 4 2
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 35 Watt

i5-2400 has a 150.5% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores.

i3-2120T, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 7 months, and 171.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-2400 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-2120T in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2400 and Core i3-2120T, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-2400
Core i5-2400
Intel Core i3-2120T
Core i3-2120T

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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

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-2400 or Core i3-2120T, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.