How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X scores 42.8/100 overall; Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins 13 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-12100 wins 6.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and the Intel Core i3-12100?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X advantages: Stronger Multi-core score: 37 vs 34; Stronger gaming score: 60 vs 36; 167% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 12 MB; 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4. Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 37; 67% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 3 MB; 38% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,490; 37% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 95 W; 30% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,290; Lower launch price: $122 vs $249.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i3-12100?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $249 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i3-12100

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

$249

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

36.5Single-core55.3

37.4Multi-core34.2

60.3Gaming36

13 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X6 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 42.8 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+24) and Multi-core (+3). Intel Core i3-12100 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

Stronger Multi-core score: 37 vs 34
Stronger gaming score: 60 vs 36
167% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 12 MB
50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 37
67% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 3 MB
38% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,490
37% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 95 W
30% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,290
Lower launch price: $122 vs $249

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i3-12100
Announced	2019	2022
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	7 nm+30%	10 nm
Base TDP	95 W	60 W+37%
Max turbo power	128 W+44%	89 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i3-12100
Cores	6+50%	4
Performance cores	6+50%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12+50%	8
Base clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	4.4 GHz+2%	4.3 GHz
L2 cache	3 MB	5 MB+67%
L3 cache	32 MB+167%	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i3-12100
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock	—	1,400 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i3-12100
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i3-12100
PCIe version	4	5+25%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i3-12100
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,490	2,050+38%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	7,200+7%	6,700
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,290	1,680+30%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,700+11%	8,700
PassMark	18,400+31%	14,000

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