Core 2 Duo T5800 vs Core i3-2120

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 2 Duo T5800 vs Core i3-2120 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo T5800 vs Core i3-2120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo T5800

2008

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2120 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2120.

Core i3-2120

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Core 2 Duo T5800 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core 2 Duo T5800.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,979 vs 2,000).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T5800 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2120 better than Core 2 Duo T5800?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2120 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T5800 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i3-2120 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T5800 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-2120 is the better buy right now. Core i3-2120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo T5800 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-2120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo T5800 vs Core i3-2120 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Duo T5800

The Core 2 Duo T5800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,000 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i3-2120

The Core i3-2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,979 points. Launch price was $95.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5800 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2120's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5800 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 — a 49.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5800 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-2120 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5800 scores 2,000 against the Core i3-2120's 1,979 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5800. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5800 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5800	Core i3-2120
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,000+1%	1,979
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,073
Geekbench 6 Single	—	534
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,140

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5800 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-2120 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5800	Core i3-2120
Socket	PGA478	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T5800) / Yes (Core i3-2120). The Core i3-2120 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core 2 Duo T5800 requires a dedicated GPU.