i9-9900X vs i3-2120

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Aggregate performance score

Core i3-2120
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.23
Core i9-9900X
2018
10 cores / 20 threads, 165 Watt
13.73
+1016%

Core i9-9900X outperforms Core i3-2120 by a whopping 1016% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-2120 and Core i9-9900X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2322542
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.145.08
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i9
Power efficiency1.797.87
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
Release date20 February 2011 (13 years ago)19 October 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$95$989

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9900X has 3529% better value for money than i3-2120.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-2120 and Core i9-9900X 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)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads420
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rate5 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data35
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)19.25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size131 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature69 °C92 °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 i9-9900X 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-9900X. 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, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-2120 and Core i9-9900X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-9900X are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-9900X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels24
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000N/A
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 i9-9900X integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-2120 and Core i9-9900X.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1644

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
i9-9900X 13.73
+1016%

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
i9-9900X 21815
+1015%

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
i9-9900X 1451
+192%

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 1022
i9-9900X 9300
+810%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.23 13.73
Recency 20 February 2011 19 October 2018
Physical cores 2 10
Threads 4 20
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 165 Watt

i3-2120 has 153.8% lower power consumption.

i9-9900X, on the other hand, has a 1016.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, 400% more physical cores and 400% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i9-9900X 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 i9-9900X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-2120
Core i3-2120
Intel Core i9-9900X
Core i9-9900X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-2120 or Core i9-9900X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.