The Core i5-9600K is a clear winner – it's at least 2x faster gaming CPU than the Core i3-2120 and it's also a much better value for money, as it's $89.28 cheaper!
Advantages of the Core i5-9600K
- At least 2x faster CPU for gaming
- Up to 45% cheaper – $110.00 vs $199.28
- A much better value for money for gaming
- Can execute more multi-threaded tasks simultaneously – 6 vs 4 threads
Advantages of the Core i3-2120
- Consumes up to 32% less energy – 65 vs 95 Watts
Core i5-9600K vs Core i3-2120 for Gaming
The CPU's performance in selected game and settings
Core i5-9600K
Oct 19th, 2018
Average FPS
192
100%
Min 1% FPS
127
100%
Price, $
$110
100%
Value, $/FPS
$0.57/FPS
100%
Core i3-2120
Feb 20th, 2011
Average FPS
168
88%
Min 1% FPS
113
89%
Price, $
$199.28
55%
Value, $/FPS
$1.18/FPS
48%
Core i5-9600K vs Core i3-2120 in My Games
The FPS you'll get in saved games, click on a game to change it
The FPS you'll get in saved games, click on a game to change it
Very High
1920x1080
Average FPS
Average FPS
High
1920x1080
+1
Average FPS
Average FPS
High
1920x1080
Average FPS
Average FPS
Ultra
1920x1080
+2
Average FPS
Average FPS
Very High
1920x1080
+2
Average FPS
Average FPS
Add a Game
Select Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks
The Core i5-9600K vs Core i3-2120 in synthetic CPU benchmarks
Performance Specifications
The Core i5-9600K vs Core i3-2120 in core CPU performance specifications
Core i5-9600K
Oct 19th, 2018
Cores
6-core
100%
L3 Cache
9 MB
100%
Base Frequency
3.7 GHz
100%
Turbo Frequency
4.6 GHz
100%
Max. DDR4 RAM Speed
2666 MHz
100%
Core i3-2120
Feb 20th, 2011
Cores
2-core
33%
L3 Cache
3 MB
33%
Base Frequency
3.3 GHz
89%
Turbo Frequency
GHz
Max. DDR3 RAM Speed
1333 MHz
50%
Specifications
Comparison of all specifications
Core i5-9600K | SpecificationsComparison of all specifications | Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
Oct 19th, 2018 | Release Date | Feb 20th, 2011 |
| Not Available | MSRP | $138.00 |
Desktop | Segment | Desktop |
| Intel Socket 1151 | Socket | Intel Socket 1155 |
| Coffee Lake | Codename | Sandy Bridge |
| 95 W | Power Consumption | 65 W |
| Performance | ||
6 | Cores | 2 |
6 | Threads | 4 |
3.7 GHz | Base Frequency | 3.3 GHz |
| 4.6 GHz | Turbo Frequency | Non-Turbo |
9 MB | L3 Cache | 3 MB |
| Other Features | ||
| DDR4 @ 2666 MHz | RAM | DDR3 @ 1333 MHz |
| UHD 630 | Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 |
Yes | Overclockable | No |
