Core i3-2120 vs Core M-5Y71

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 M-5Y71 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 M-5Y71: 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

✅Costs $143 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 104.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.3 vs 7.0 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Core M-5Y71 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core M-5Y71

2014

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,975 vs 1,979).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.0 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌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 M-5Y71?

Yes. Core i3-2120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, 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 1.3% 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 0.2% 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 $143 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 104.0% better value on MSRP (14.3 vs 7.0 PassMark/$), 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 M-5Y71 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-2120 vs Core M-5Y71 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 M-5Y71

The Core M-5Y71 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,975 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2120 and Core M-5Y71 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core M-5Y71 — a 12.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i3-2120 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core M-5Y71 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120 scores 1,979 against the Core M-5Y71's 1,975 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-2120. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y71.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Core M-5Y71
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+14%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+175%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	1,979	1,975
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 M-5Y71 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Core M-5Y71
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
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 M-5Y71). The Core i3-2120 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core M-5Y71 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Core M-5Y71
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-2120 was priced at $138, while the Core M-5Y71 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($138 vs $281), Core i3-2120 was $143 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2120 delivers 14.3 pts/$ vs 7.0 pts/$ for the Core M-5Y71 — making the Core i3-2120 the 68.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Core M-5Y71
MSRP	$138-51%	$281
Performance per Dollar	14.3+104%	7.0
Release Date	2011	2014

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