Core i7-12700K vs Core i3-2120

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2201	208
Place by popularity	not in top-100	93
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.14	61.39
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	no data	Intel Core i7
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date	20 February 2011 (13 years ago)	4 November 2021 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$95	$409
Current price	$76 (0.8x MSRP)	$342 (0.8x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-12700K has 43750% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K 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 cores	2 (Dual-core)	12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads	4	20
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.3 GHz	5 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	3 MB (shared)	25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	10 nm
Die size	131 mm2	215.25 mm220.5 mm × 10.5 mm
Maximum core temperature	69 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	72 °C
Number of transistors	504 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA1155	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	65 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	-	+
FMA	no data	+
AVX	no data	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	-	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
SIPP	no data	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
FDI	+	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Launched

Security technologies

Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
Identity Protection	+	no data
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K 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 i7-12700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size	32 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	21 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support	no data	+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card Compare	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video	+	+
Clear Video HD	+	+
Graphics max frequency	1.1 GHz	1.5 GHz
Execution Units	no data	32
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

2

4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	no data	4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	no data	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	no data	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	no data	12
OpenGL	no data	4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K.

PCIe version	2.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	16	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

Core i7-12700K outperforms Core i3-2120 by 1677% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.26	22.39
Recency	20 February 2011	4 November 2021
Physical cores	2	12
Threads	4	20
Cost	$95	$409
Chip lithography	32 nm	10 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	65 Watt	125 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-2120 and Core i7-12700K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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