Pentium G2120 vs V-Series V120

Intel

Pentium G2120

2 Cores2 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

V-Series V120

1 Cores1 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Pentium G2120 vs V-Series V120 Performance Spectrum

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.

Pentium G2120 vs V-Series V120 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.

Pentium G2120 vs V-Series V120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G2120

2012

Why buy it

  • Draws 55W instead of 512W, a 457W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge), while V-Series V120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while V-Series V120 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

V-Series V120

2010

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,874 vs 1,876).
    • 830.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 55W.
    • No integrated graphics, while Pentium G2120 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Pentium G2120 better than V-Series V120?
    Yes. Pentium G2120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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, Pentium G2120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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, Pentium G2120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pentium G2120 is the better buy right now. Pentium G2120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Pentium G2120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Pentium G2120 vs V-Series V120 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Pentium G2120

    The Pentium G2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $88.

    AMD

    V-Series V120

    The V-Series V120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,874 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    The Pentium G2120 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the V-Series V120 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Pentium G2120 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G2120 versus 2.2 GHz on the V-Series V120 — a 34% clock advantage for the Pentium G2120. The Pentium G2120 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the V-Series V120 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G2120 scores 1,876 against the V-Series V120's 1,874 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium G2120.

    FeaturePentium G2120V-Series V120
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2+100%
    1 / 1
    Boost Clock
    3.1 GHz+41%
    2.2 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.1 GHz
    L3 Cache
    3 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    256 kB (per core)
    512 kB+100%
    Process
    22 nm-51%
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
    Champlain (2010−2011)
    PassMark
    1,876
    1,874
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Pentium G2120 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the V-Series V120 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeaturePentium G2120V-Series V120
    Socket
    LGA1155
    S1
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0+50%
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1600
    Max RAM Capacity
    32 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: VT-x (Pentium G2120) / not specified (V-Series V120). The Pentium G2120 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the V-Series V120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G2120 targets Desktop.

    FeaturePentium G2120V-Series V120
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x
    Target Use
    Desktop