Core i9-14900KF vs Core i3-2120

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.26

Core i9-14900KF outperforms Core i3-2120 by a whopping 2983% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-2120 and Core i9-14900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking220169
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.1483.83
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)no data
Release date20 February 2011 (13 years ago)1 October 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$95no data
Current price$76 (0.8x MSRP)$531

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-14900KF has 59779% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-2120 and Core i9-14900KF 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)24 (Tetracosa-Core)
Threads432
Base clock speed3.3 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz5.8 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)no data
L3 cache3 MB (shared)36 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size131 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature69 °C100 °C
Number of transistors504 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-2120 and Core i9-14900KF 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 Wattno data

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-14900KF. 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-+
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
StatusDiscontinuedLaunched

Security technologies

Core i3-2120 and Core i9-14900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-14900KF 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 i9-14900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size32 GB192 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s89.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000no data
Quick Sync Video+no data
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 i9-14900KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-14900KF.

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 1.26
i9-14900KF 38.84
+2983%

Core i9-14900KF outperforms Core i3-2120 by 2983% based on our aggregate benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i3-2120 1956
i9-14900KF 60080
+2972%

Core i9-14900KF outperforms Core i3-2120 by 2972% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i3-2120 498
i9-14900KF 3100
+522%

Core i9-14900KF outperforms Core i3-2120 by 522% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i3-2120 1026
i9-14900KF 20912
+1938%

Core i9-14900KF outperforms Core i3-2120 by 1938% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.26 38.84
Recency 20 February 2011 1 October 2023
Physical cores 2 24
Threads 4 32

The Core i9-14900KF 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 i9-14900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120
Intel Core i9-14900KF
Core i9-14900KF

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


3.4 1536 votes

Rate Core i3-2120 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.9 233 votes

Rate Core i9-14900KF on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-2120 or Core i9-14900KF, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.