How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X scores 60.4/100 overall; Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100. AMD Ryzen 9 3950X wins 14 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-12100 wins 6.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and the Intel Core i3-12100?

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X advantages: Stronger Multi-core score: 65 vs 34; Stronger gaming score: 79 vs 36; 433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB; 300% higher cores: 16 vs 4; 300% higher Performance cores: 16 vs 4. Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 39; 43% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 105 W; 31% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,570; 27% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,320; 25% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 4; Lower launch price: $122 vs $749.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X or Intel Core i3-12100?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $749 for the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X.

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i3-12100

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

$749

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

38.6Single-core55.3

64.6Multi-core34.2

79Gaming36

14 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3950X6 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 60.4 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+43) and Multi-core (+30). Intel Core i3-12100 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 3950X

Stronger Multi-core score: 65 vs 34
Stronger gaming score: 79 vs 36
433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB
300% higher cores: 16 vs 4
300% higher Performance cores: 16 vs 4

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 39
43% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 105 W
31% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,570
27% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,320
25% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 4
Lower launch price: $122 vs $749

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	Intel Core i3-12100
Announced	2019	2022
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	7 nm+30%	10 nm
Base TDP	105 W	60 W+43%
Max turbo power	142 W+60%	89 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	No	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	Intel Core i3-12100
Cores	16+300%	4
Performance cores	16+300%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	32+300%	8
Base clock	3.5 GHz+6%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	4.7 GHz+9%	4.3 GHz
L2 cache	8 MB+60%	5 MB
L3 cache	64 MB+433%	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	Intel Core i3-12100
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock	—	1,400 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	Intel Core i3-12100
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	Intel Core i3-12100
PCIe version	4	5+25%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	Intel Core i3-12100
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,570Top 57%	2,050+31%Top 36%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	13,300+99%Top 25%	6,700Top 60%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,320Top 56%	1,680+27%Top 35%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	24,700+184%Top 15%	8,700Top 66%
PassMark	39,000+179%Top 16%	14,000Top 66%

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