AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core i3-2120
85.6Single-core20
62.4Multi-core20
67.2Gaming20
17 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 gaming (+47). 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
- Stronger gaming score: 67 vs 20
- 1504% higher PassMark: 38,500 vs 2,400
- 1500% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $138 vs $359
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024+1% | 2011 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1155 |
| Process | 4 nm+87% | 32 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Performance cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+300% | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz+15% | 3.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+67% | 3.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB+1500% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+967% | 3 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz+100% | 1,100 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+500% | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+150% | 2 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,150+304%Top 5% | 780Top 100% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 16,500+931%Top 15% | 1,600Top 100% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,150Top 9% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 19,500Top 21% | — |
| PassMark | 38,500+1504%Top 18% | 2,400Top 100% |
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