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InnoReviews

AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core i3-2120

WINNER
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
70.6Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i3-2120
20Inno Score
85.6Single-core20
62.4Multi-core20
67.2Gamingspec-based20
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9700X1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins this desktop processor face-off, 70.6 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+66) and multi-core (+42). 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 7 9700X

  • Stronger single-core score: 86 vs 20
  • Stronger multi-core score: 62 vs 20
  • 1504% higher PassMark: 38,500 vs 2,400
  • 1500% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB
  • 967% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 3 MB

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120

  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $359

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 7 9700XIntel Core i3-2120
Announced2024+1%2011
SocketAM5LGA1155
Process4 nm+87%32 nm
Base TDP65 W65 W
Max turbo power88 W—
Unlocked multiplierYesNo
Cooler includedNoYes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 7 9700XIntel Core i3-2120
Cores8+300%2
Performance cores8+300%2
Efficiency cores00
Threads16+300%4
Base clock3.8 GHz+15%3.3 GHz
Boost clock5.5 GHz+67%3.3 GHz
L2 cache8 MB+1500%1 MB
L3 cache32 MB+967%3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 7 9700XIntel Core i3-2120
iGPUAMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)Intel HD Graphics 2000
iGPU clock2,200 MHz1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 7 9700XIntel Core i3-2120
Memory supportDDR5-5600DDR3-1333
Max memory192 GB+500%32 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 7 9700XIntel Core i3-2120
PCIe version5+150%2
CPU PCIe lanes28+75%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 7 9700XIntel Core i3-2120
Geekbench 6 (single)3,150+304%Top 12%780Bottom 1%
Geekbench 6 (multi)16,500+931%Top 26%1,600Bottom 1%
Cinebench R23 (single)2,150Top 17%—
Cinebench R23 (multi)19,500Top 29%—
PassMark38,500+1504%Top 28%2,400Bottom 1%

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