Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core 2 Quad Q9650 (Intel, 2008) and Core i3-2120 (Intel, 2011) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: 2 Quad Q9650 is about 9.4% faster
The sockets differ (LGA775 / LGA1155), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | 2 Quad Q9650 | i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 3,500 | 3,200 |
| Generation | Core 2 | 2nd Gen |
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA1155 |
| Release Year | 2008 | 2011 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 480 | Radeon HD 7850 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | 2 Quad Q9650 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i3-2120 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
2 Quad Q9650 is about 9.4% higher by score (2 Quad Q9650: 3500 points / i3-2120: 3200 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
2 Quad Q9650 is Core 2, while i3-2120 is 2nd Gen.The sockets differ (LGA775 / LGA1155), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 480 pairs well with 2 Quad Q9650 and Radeon HD 7850 pairs well with i3-2120. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
