How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 21.1/100 overall; Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100. AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins 14 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-2120 wins 1.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 and the Intel Core i3-2120?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 advantages: 300% higher L2 cache: 2 MB vs 1 MB; 167% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB; 108% higher PassMark: 5,000 vs 2,400; 100% higher cores: 4 vs 2; 100% higher Performance cores: 4 vs 2; Lower launch price: $109 vs $138.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel Core i3-2120?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 launched cheaper at $109, versus $138 for the Intel Core i3-2120.

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i3-2120

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 3 1200

$109

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

20Single-core20

22Multi-core20

20.6Gaming20

14 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 3 12001 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120

InnoReviews verdict

This one is close to a dead heat: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 21.1 against 20 for Intel Core i3-2120. Pick by the categories that matter to you — AMD Ryzen 3 1200 edges ahead in Multi-core and gaming, or by price.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 3 1200

300% higher L2 cache: 2 MB vs 1 MB
167% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB
108% higher PassMark: 5,000 vs 2,400
100% higher cores: 4 vs 2
100% higher Performance cores: 4 vs 2
Lower launch price: $109 vs $138

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120

No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-2120
Announced	2017	2011
Socket	AM4	LGA1155
Process	14 nm+56%	32 nm
Base TDP	65 W	65 W
Max turbo power	88 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-2120
Cores	4+100%	2
Performance cores	4+100%	2
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+6%
Boost clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 GHz
L2 cache	2 MB+300%	1 MB
L3 cache	8 MB+167%	3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-2120
iGPU	—	Intel HD Graphics 2000
iGPU clock	—	1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-2120
Memory support	DDR4-2667	DDR3-1333
Max memory	64 GB+100%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-2120
PCIe version	3+50%	2
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-2120
Geekbench 6 (single)	920+18%	780
Geekbench 6 (multi)	2,400+50%	1,600
Cinebench R23 (single)	830	—
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,000	—
PassMark	5,000+108%	2,400

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