Intel Core i3-2120 vs Raspberry Pi 5 B (Broadcom BCM2712)

The Intel Core i3-2120, introduced in 2011, targeted entry-level desktop PCs. Manufactured by Intel using the 32 nm process (Sandy Bridge S), it offers two cores, four threads (Hyper-Threading), 3 MB Level 3 Cache, Intel HD Graphics 2000, PCIe 2.0, and 21 GB/s memory bandwidth.

The Raspberry Pi 5 B (Broadcom BCM2712), released in October 2023 as the core for single-board computers, is manufactured by Broadcom using the 16 nm process.

It integrates four Cortex-A76 cores, 2 MB Level 2 and 2 MB Level 3 Cache, Broadcom VideoCore VII graphics, 17 GB/s memory bandwidth, and PCIe 2.0 support. In terms of computing performance, the Raspberry Pi 5 B (Broadcom BCM2712) significantly outperforms the Intel Core i3-2120 in both single- and multi-core tasks, due to its more modern architecture and manufacturing.

Neither is optimal for gaming, but the Raspberry Pi 5 B (Broadcom BCM2712) with its Broadcom VideoCore VII delivers improved performance for emulations and older games. The Raspberry Pi 5 B (Broadcom BCM2712) is more energy-efficient with a lower TDP, ideal for power-saving applications.

The Intel Core i3-2120 has higher power consumption and is no longer available on the new market. The Raspberry Pi 5 B (Broadcom BCM2712) offers excellent value for money. For modern applications or power-saving projects, the Raspberry Pi 5 B (Broadcom BCM2712) is the better choice.

The Intel Core i3-2120 is primarily suitable for operating existing legacy systems.