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Intel

Core i3-2120

▲ 53642 ▼

2 Cores, 4 Threads @3.3 GHz, Sandy Bridge.
Release date ≤ Q4 2013.

Average Bench: 50.7% (793rd of 1459)

Based on 77,810 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF000206A7, 0000000000000000 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2120 CPU @ 3.30GHz
Poor: 34%Average: 50.7% Great: 61%
Gaming
Gaming 51%
Yacht
Desktop
Desktop 57%
Gunboat
Workstation
Workstation 36%
Jet ski

Popular builds with this CPU

Average average bench

The Intel Core i3-2120 averaged 49.2% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 73.2Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 69.2Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i3-2120 is 26.8%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i3-2120 performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 175Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 174Pts
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Average Bench

(Based on 77,810 samples)
Rank 79350.7%
Min Avg Max
44.9 Memory 73.2 90.7
36.3 1-Core 69.2 83.4
61.3 2-Core 119 147
53.6% 87.2 Pts
Min Avg Max
92.7 4-Core 164 203
109 8-Core 174 205
22.4% 169 Pts
Min Avg Max
105 64-Core 175 205
10.8% 175 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
63.9% Good
Memory 93.2
1-Core 65.8
2-Core 138
62% 99.1 Pts
4-Core 203
8-Core 204
27% 204 Pts
64-Core 205
13% 205 Pts
LGA1155 CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
55.3% Above average
Memory 76.6
1-Core 82
2-Core 150
61% 103 Pts
4-Core 199
8-Core 200
27% 200 Pts
64-Core 180
11% 180 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
54.7% Above average
Memory 74
1-Core 85.1
2-Core 142
60% 101 Pts
4-Core 207
8-Core 206
28% 207 Pts
64-Core 205
13% 205 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
53.9% Above average
Memory 72.7
1-Core 85.2
2-Core 165
62% 108 Pts
4-Core 205
8-Core 206
28% 205 Pts
64-Core 206
13% 206 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
53.9% Above average
Memory 85.6
1-Core 66.3
2-Core 119
57% 90.3 Pts
4-Core 131
8-Core 140
18% 136 Pts
64-Core 152
9% 152 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
51.7% Above average
Memory 74.5
1-Core 79.9
2-Core 128
57% 94 Pts
4-Core 164
8-Core 198
24% 181 Pts
64-Core 205
13% 205 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
47.4% Average
Memory 66.2
1-Core 78
2-Core 145
56% 96.4 Pts
4-Core 165
8-Core 176
23% 171 Pts
64-Core 182
11% 182 Pts
LGA1155 CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
43.2% Average
Memory 61.5
1-Core 64
2-Core 106
47% 77.2 Pts
4-Core 145
8-Core 157
20% 151 Pts
64-Core 145
9% 145 Pts
77,810 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 68,302,456 CPUs tested

 Prices

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AmazonUS $321 day
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Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i3-2120 Builds (Compare 2,538 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 7%
Tree trunk
Desktop
Desktop 51%
Yacht
Workstation
Workstation 7%
Tree trunk

Motherboard: Dell OptiPlex 390

CPU
Core i3-2120Intel  $32Bench 51%, 77,810 samples612x
GPU
HD 2000 (Desktop 1.1 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 150,891 samples744x
GT 1030NvidiaBench 14%, 185,384 samples184x
GTX 1050-TiNvidia  $59Bench 29%, 946,701 samples159x
SSD
A400 240GBKingston  $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples144x
A400 120GBKingston  $33Bench 61%, 166,392 samples59x
BX500 240GBCrucial  $25Bench 56%, 142,801 samples41x
RAM
2x8GBUnknownBench 64%, 236,291 samples98x
HMT351U6CFR8C-H9 2x4GBHynixBench 48%, 7,511 samples55x
HMT351U6CFR8C-H9 1x4GBHynixBench 26%, 3,270 samples40x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 59% - Above average Total price: $60

Popular Core i3-2120 compatible motherboards:

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Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
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  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i3-2120 Processor (3M Cache, 3.30 GHz)
Code NameSandy Bridge
Launch DateQ1'11
Processor Numberi3-2120
# of Cores2
# of Threads4
Cache3 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options AvailableYes
Lithography32 nm
Recommended Price$113.00 - $120.00
Clock Speed3.3 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP65 W

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 2000
Graphics Base Frequency850 MHz
Wireless DisplayNo
# of Displays Supported2
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.1 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes

Memory

Max Memory Size32 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 1066/1333
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth21 GB/s

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
Max # of PCI Express Lanes16

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsNo

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost TechNo
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)No
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
vPro TechNo
Identity Protection TechYes
Fast Memory AccessYes
Flex Memory AccessYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedFCLGA1155

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechNo

 Comments

Added n/a ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,918

Excellent (edit your comment) Add link

21 months ago.

ridiculously slow, barely runs system with applications closed.

MEX-User
Avatar level
3,756

Good

6 months ago.

is more aster, may be is so old but is powerful

BEL-User
Avatar level
2,556

Poor

5 months ago.

Not a great choice of cpu... Overall i can say that its pretty good, but overpriced... its not even worth 50 dollars.

MAR-User
Avatar level
2,104

Excellent

7 months ago.

Even it's kinda an old cpu but it's acceptable it still can run alot of new games

Drakorvich
Avatar level
48

Good

4 years ago.

It's good for office work and other general office tasks. My school has dozens of Dell Optiplexes with this processor within them. Paired with an SSD or 7200 RPM Hard Drive, it makes the machine the go-to choice for schools on a budget.

deanps3
Avatar level
16

Excellent

2 years ago.

damn good cpu for budget school pc's or workstations, got an hp 3400mt paired with this cpu n ssd and paired with an gt 520 and it was damn smooth experience ever in my life.

Kolasin2
Avatar level
10

Average

4 years ago.

It's ok for general use, but if you want to game with this, you'll see that it pretty much bottlenecks the average gpu, thus making this my "avoid this" example if you want nice fps.

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Intel Core i5-13600K $235Nvidia RTX 4070 $499Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $342
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