Core i3-2120 vs Core i5-470UM

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 i3-2120 vs Core i5-470UM 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 i3-2120 vs Core i5-470UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2120

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Core i5-470UM needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-470UM.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Core i5-470UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

Core i5-470UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,973 vs 1,979).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2120 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2120.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2120 better than Core i5-470UM?

Yes. Core i3-2120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-2120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 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 $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-2120 vs Core i5-470UM Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-470UM

The Core i5-470UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,973 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2120 and Core i5-470UM share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 versus 1.86 GHz on the Core i5-470UM — a 55.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Core i3-2120 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-470UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120 scores 1,979 against the Core i5-470UM's 1,973 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-2120. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-470UM.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Core i5-470UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+77%	1.86 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+148%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,979	1,973
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,073	—
Geekbench 6 Single	534	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,140	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2120 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-470UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Core i5-470UM
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
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: Yes (Core i3-2120) / not specified (Core i5-470UM). The Core i3-2120 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i5-470UM requires a dedicated GPU.