AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i3-2120
36.5Single-core20
37.4Multi-core20
60.3Gaming20
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 42.8 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+40) and Multi-core (+17). Intel Core i3-2120 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 Single-core score: 37 vs 20
- Stronger Multi-core score: 37 vs 20
- Stronger gaming score: 60 vs 20
- 967% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 3 MB
- 667% higher PassMark: 18,400 vs 2,400
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120
- 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
- Lower launch price: $138 vs $249
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2011 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1155 |
| Process | 7 nm+78% | 32 nm |
| Base TDP | 95 W | 65 W+32% |
| Max turbo power | 128 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | Yes | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6+200% | 2 |
| Performance cores | 6+200% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12+200% | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz+15% | 3.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.4 GHz+33% | 3.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 3 MB+500% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+967% | 3 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,100 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4+100% | 2 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,490+91%Top 68% | 780Top 100% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 7,200+350%Top 55% | 1,600Top 100% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,290Top 61% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,700Top 59% | — |
| PassMark | 18,400+667%Top 55% | 2,400Top 100% |
Related comparisons
AMD Ryzen 5 3600Xvs AMD Ryzen 5 5600GVSAMD Ryzen 5 3600Xvs Intel Core i7-10700KVSAMD Ryzen 5 3600Xvs Intel Core i9-9900KVSAMD Ryzen 5 3600Xvs Intel Core i5-11600KVSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i3-3220VSIntel Core i3-2120vs AMD Ryzen 3 1200VSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-3470VSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-4590VS