Core i3-2120T vs Core i5-3339Y

Core i3-2120T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011

Core i5-3339Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-2120T

2 / 4

1,570

0.0%

1,589

+1.2%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-2120T is positioned at rank 956 and the Core i5-3339Y is on rank 412, so the Core i5-3339Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2120T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

25220%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

23830%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

17303%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5213%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4129%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3612%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2069%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2042%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1859%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1859%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1838%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1789%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1764%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1756%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1740%

#956

Core i3-2120T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $38

100%

#957

Phenom II X3 720

MSRP: $130|Avg: $64

100%

#958

Pentium E6300

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

99%

#959

Core i5-661

MSRP: $196|Avg: $40

99%

#960

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

98%

#961

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

98%

#962

Core i3-2100T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $127

98%

#963

Pentium E2210

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

97%

#964

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

96%

#965

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

96%

#966

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

96%

#967

Pentium G3250

MSRP: $171|Avg: $25

95%

#968

Pentium E2200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

95%

#969

Core 2 Duo E7300

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

95%

#970

Core i3-540

MSRP: $133|Avg: $5

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3339Y

#124

Core i5-1240P

MSRP: $309|Avg: $200

99%

#125

Core i7-13700H

MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A

98%

#400

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

554%

#401

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

546%

#402

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

501%

#403

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

499%

#404

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

494%

#406

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

477%

#407

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

458%

#408

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

457%

#409

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

445%

#412

Core i5-3339Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#421

Core i5-9400H

MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A

98%

#426

Celeron 2981U

MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-2120T leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3339Y is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.2% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-2120T	Core i5-3339Y
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($38)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-2120T	Core i5-3339Y
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($38)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-2120T Benchmark Check

Core i5-3339Y Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2120T and Core i5-3339Y

Core i3-2120T

The Core i3-2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,570 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i5-3339Y

The Core i5-3339Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,589 points. Launch price was $250.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2120T and Core i5-3339Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-2120T versus 2 GHz on the Core i5-3339Y — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120T (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-2120T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-3339Y uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120T scores 1,570 against the Core i5-3339Y's 1,589 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-3339Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 403 vs 368, a 9.1% lead for the Core i3-2120T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Core i5-3339Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+30%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+73%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,570	1,589+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	403+10%	368
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	707

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2120T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3339Y uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2120T versus 1600 on the Core i5-3339Y — the Core i5-3339Y supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,B65,Q65,Q67,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Q75,Q77,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2120T) and HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3339Y).

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Core i5-3339Y
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+104857500%	32
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2120T) vs true (Core i5-3339Y). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2120T) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3339Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2120T targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2120T rivals A6-3500; Core i5-3339Y rivals AMD A8-4555M.