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Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32120

by Intel
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)

List Price: $181.50
Price: $124.17 & FREE Shipping. Details
You Save: $57.33 (32%)
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  • Process Type: Intel Core i3 Processor i3-2120 Frequency: 3.3 GHz DMI: 5 GT/s
  • Intel Smart Cache: 3 MB Process: 32 nm Socket: LGA1155
  • Power Consumption: 65 W Max Memory Bandwidth: 21 GB/s Graphics Base Frequency: 850 MHz
  • Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency: 1.1 GHz This processor is a Dual Core Processor
  • This processor supports Hyper-Threading Technology This processor supports Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
  • Process Type: Intel Core i3 Processor i3-2120 Frequency: 3.3 GHz DMI: 5 GT/s,3 years limited parts and labor
  • This processor supports Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology This processor supports Thermal Monitoring Technologies
  • This processor supports Intel 64 This processor supports Idle States
  • This processor supports Intel Fast Memory Access This processor supports Intel Flex Memory Access

Frequently Bought Together

Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32120 + Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit for   Core i3, i5, i7 and   Platforms SDRAM CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 + Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive - Bulk - IHAS124-04 (Black)
Price for all three: $212.96

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Technical Details

  • Brand Name: Intel
  • Model: BX80623I32120
  • Processor Count: 2
  • Processor Model Number: i3-2120

Product Details

  • Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 4.6 x 3.4 inches ; 9.6 ounces
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
  • ASIN: B004KZDV8E
  • Item model number: BX80623I32120
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • Date first available at Amazon.com: January 26, 2011

Product Description

Intel Core i3 Processor i3-2120 3.3GHz 3MB LGA1155 CPU


Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
(56)
4.8 out of 5 stars
Runs very cool. K N  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
Really though Intel Processors are usually worth there money anyways. Nightdog18  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Pros:
- Extremely fast dual core CPU
- Includes hyper-threading
- 7.1 out of 7.9 on WEI
- Stock Intel cooler is fairly quiet

Cons:
- No turbo-boost
- Stock Intel cooler has somewhat troublesome plastic push-pin mechanisms that hold the cooler to the motherboard. When installing these I carefully tried to apply the same amount of pressure to each pin, but one pin went in too far and seemed to break pretty easily. I thought I damaged my CPU and motherboard. Luckily I did not, but now that push-pin will not come out. It seems I will probably have to carefully cut the plastic pin off if I ever want to remove the cooler and/or the CPU.

I still believe the stock cooler works fairly well as it is quiet and every time I check the BIOS it seems to be keeping the CPU temperature consistently low. The installation issue with the pins could be attributed to me not being careful enough, but I feel the pins are not designed very well and that one of them could have been defective. Regardless of the cooler, the CPU itself deserves at least 4 stars for it's performance even without turbo-boost or overclocking capability.

Some of my reasoning for buying this product:
Diablo III is finally being released and I was long overdue for a new computer anyways (was running a Pentium 4 with Windows XP Pro...very sad I know). Obviously an i3 (1st or 2nd gen) is a gargantuan leap over the Pentium 4...but some people may not realize that the i3 completely blows the Diablo III minimum CPU specifications out of the water and turns the water into vapor. But still...

After purchasing my i3-2120 I started worrying it was already obsolete and maybe I should have sprung for a i5-2500K because of all the overclocking hype. After all, Intel themselves say the i3 is only smart, while the i7 is a genius.

How much more performance do you really get from a i5 or i7 quad core processor? Well according to the Windows Experience Index, it might not be as much as you think. After Windows Experience Index scored my i3-2120 at 7.1 (on a scale of 1 - 7.9) I started to really doubt that the i5 or i7 were really worth the cost to performance increase ($100+ extra for .1 - .8 more on the WEI scale). For the time being, the extra cost most likely isn't worth it for most computer users and gamers.

Like many other reviews state, most current software, even popular new games like Diablo III (#1 selling game on Amazon, 737 days in Top 100) are really only going to utilize single and/or dual core threading; and if in fact there is more threads needed, the i3 has hyper-threading capability which is described as having two virtual cores running with the two physical cores to enable quad core type threading.

When the cost of 2nd generation quad core Intel CPUs goes down and the majority of software being produced actually utilizes quad core CPUs then I will believe they are worth my extra hard earned cash. By then Diablo IV will be out and I will have had AT LEAST a few years of exceptional performance and quality use from a $127 Intel CPU.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great little work horse March 7, 2012
The I3 2120 is a great processor for an office environment or budget build. I just finished installing 5 custom Built computers at an alarm company and with their specialized software, hardware, combined with Microsoft Office, and Symantec Anti-virus this little processor has more than enough power to do anything they throw at it for the next few years. It runs cool just over 85F using stock heat sink and two case fans. I also have an I3 3Ghz in my business laptop which I use to run Windows 7 Ultimate, Office 2010 Pro Plus, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, edit audio/ video files and create websites. The laptop runs like a champ with the I3 processor and 4GB of ram.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast, powerful, efficient, inexpensive March 4, 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this Intel i3 CPU to use in a server running Mac OS X 10.7, and I have to say, like the other reviews for this product, I am very impressed. When in use, the CPU temperature is about 90° Fahrenheit, which is quite cool. The performance is fast, nothing to brag about like an i5 or i7, but it's great for my purposes. It runs well, and paired with the Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 motherboard and 8GB of gaming RAM, makes a great Mac server for under $250.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice and fast
After installation cpu worked as expected. Runs much cooler than my previous one. So far no issues, I still have never had an intel cpu die on me.
Published 6 days ago by D. Montalvo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, Affordable Processor!
I bought this processor to do a cheap upgrade of my custom gaming rig, and I have to say, it works fantastic! Read more
Published 15 days ago by Trevor
5.0 out of 5 stars goood
is very good and good price i need much this product i like i love it all . . .
Published 1 month ago by Ana Graciela
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome little proc for the $$
Built some econo boxes a few months ago and used these and they worked perfectly. They have lots of bang for the buck and can be a placeholder for an upgrade later easily too. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dennis Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars Studio computer upgrade - works GREAT
I purchased this CPU for my aging studio computer. Paired it with an intel DH67 board and found it to be much more than adequate for my needs.

Proof? Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jason Pollard
4.0 out of 5 stars It dual cored my units!
this completely mega rammed my drives. it has tons of bandwidth and it gigaflopped my boards! on the down side it did ZIF my board too. Read more
Published 2 months ago by karlhungusjr
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Todo llego como se detallaba en la publicidad. Ademas el envio fue rapido y confiable. Recomendado al 100% gracias. t
Published 3 months ago by Takeichi Motobu
4.0 out of 5 stars Procesasdor
Excelente producto y cumple con todas las características mencionadas en la publicación, llego en excelentes condiciones y mas rápido de lo que esperaba.
Published 3 months ago by Julioburgen
5.0 out of 5 stars petra venezuela
muy buen producto me llego a tiempo y en un buen estadoo lo recomiendo 100% seguro responsablee y eficaz a
Published 3 months ago by petra
5.0 out of 5 stars Great CPU for a good price
I built my son a gaming computer and this CPU has worked great with no issues. I would recommend this item especially for the price
Published 3 months ago by Rob
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