How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X scores 55.3/100 overall; Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X wins 16 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-2120 wins 1.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and the Intel Core i3-2120?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 38 vs 20; Stronger Multi-core score: 54 vs 20; Stronger gaming score: 78 vs 20; 2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB; 1258% higher PassMark: 32,600 vs 2,400. Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 38% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 105 W; Lower launch price: $138 vs $499.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X or Intel Core i3-2120?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $499 for the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i3-2120

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

$499

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

37.6Single-core20

54.2Multi-core20

78.3Gaming20

16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3900X1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.3 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+58) and Multi-core (+34). 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 9 3900X

Stronger Single-core score: 38 vs 20
Stronger Multi-core score: 54 vs 20
Stronger gaming score: 78 vs 20
2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB
1258% higher PassMark: 32,600 vs 2,400

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120

38% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 105 W
Lower launch price: $138 vs $499

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Announced	2019	2011
Socket	AM4	LGA1155
Process	7 nm+78%	32 nm
Base TDP	105 W	65 W+38%
Max turbo power	142 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Cores	12+500%	2
Performance cores	12+500%	2
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	24+500%	4
Base clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	4.6 GHz+39%	3.3 GHz
L2 cache	6 MB+1100%	1 MB
L3 cache	64 MB+2033%	3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-2120
iGPU	—	Intel HD Graphics 2000
iGPU clock	—	1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR3-1333
Max memory	128 GB+300%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-2120
PCIe version	4+100%	2
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,540+97%Top 63%	780Top 100%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	11,000+588%Top 35%	1,600Top 100%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,300Top 59%	—
Cinebench R23 (multi)	18,300Top 24%	—
PassMark	32,600+1258%Top 26%	2,400Top 100%

Related comparisons

AMD Ryzen 9 3900Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DVS AMD Ryzen 9 3900Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 8700GVS AMD Ryzen 9 3900Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 5800XVS AMD Ryzen 9 3900Xvs Intel Core i5-12600KFVS Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i3-3220VS Intel Core i3-2120vs AMD Ryzen 3 1200VS Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-3470VS Intel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-4590VS

Try another matchup

Device oneDevice two