How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X scores 55.3/100 overall; Intel Core i3-12100F scores 41/100. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X wins 14 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-12100F wins 5.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and the Intel Core i3-12100F?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X advantages: Stronger Multi-core score: 54 vs 34; Stronger gaming score: 78 vs 36; 433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB; 200% higher cores: 12 vs 4; 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4. Intel Core i3-12100F advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 38; 45% lower Base TDP: 58 W vs 105 W; 33% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,540; 29% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,300; 25% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 4; Lower launch price: $97 vs $499.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X or Intel Core i3-12100F?

Intel Core i3-12100F launched cheaper at $97, versus $499 for the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i3-12100F

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

$499

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100F

$97

37.6Single-core55.3

54.2Multi-core34.2

78.3Gaming36

14 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3900X5 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100F

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.3 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+42) and Multi-core (+20). Intel Core i3-12100F 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 9 3900X

Stronger Multi-core score: 54 vs 34
Stronger gaming score: 78 vs 36
433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB
200% higher cores: 12 vs 4
200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100F

Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 38
45% lower Base TDP: 58 W vs 105 W
33% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,540
29% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,300
25% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 4
Lower launch price: $97 vs $499

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-12100F
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-12100F
Announced	2019	2022
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	7 nm+30%	10 nm
Base TDP	105 W	58 W+45%
Max turbo power	142 W+60%	89 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-12100F
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-12100F
Cores	12+200%	4
Performance cores	12+200%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	24+200%	8
Base clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	4.6 GHz+7%	4.3 GHz
L2 cache	6 MB+20%	5 MB
L3 cache	64 MB+433%	12 MB

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-12100F
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-12100F
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-12100F
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-12100F
PCIe version	4	5+25%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-12100F
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-12100F
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,540Top 63%	2,050+33%Top 36%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	11,000+64%Top 35%	6,700Top 60%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,300Top 59%	1,680+29%Top 35%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	18,300+110%Top 24%	8,700Top 66%
PassMark	32,600+131%Top 26%	14,100Top 65%

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