AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core i3-2120
86.9Single-core20
65.6Multi-core20
94.4Gamingspec-based20
14 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins this desktop processor face-off, 79.2 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+67) and multi-core (+46). 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 9850X3D
- Stronger single-core score: 87 vs 20
- Stronger multi-core score: 66 vs 20
- 3100% higher L3 cache: 96 MB vs 3 MB
- 1621% higher PassMark: 41,305 vs 2,400
- 1500% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 1 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120
- 46% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 120 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $138 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026+1% | 2011 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1155 |
| Process | 4 nm+87% | 32 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W | 65 W+46% |
| Max turbo power | 162 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Performance cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+300% | 4 |
| Base clock | 4.7 GHz+42% | 3.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+70% | 3.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB+1500% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 96 MB+3100% | 3 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,100 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+700% | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+150% | 2 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 780Bottom 1% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 1,600Bottom 1% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,221Top 12% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 23,204Top 25% | — |
| PassMark | 41,305+1621%Top 24% | 2,400Bottom 1% |
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