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AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i3-2120

WINNER
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
64.1Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i3-2120
20Inno Score
54.4Single-core20
62.1Multi-core20
79.6Gamingspec-based20
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 5900X2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 64.1 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+42) and single-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 5900X

  • Stronger single-core score: 54 vs 20
  • Stronger multi-core score: 62 vs 20
  • 2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB
  • 1525% higher PassMark: 39,000 vs 2,400
  • 1100% higher L2 cache: 6 MB vs 1 MB

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120

  • 38% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 105 W
  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $138 vs $549

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 5900XIntel Core i3-2120
Announced20202011
SocketAM4LGA1155
Process7 nm+78%32 nm
Base TDP105 W65 W+38%
Max turbo power142 W—
Unlocked multiplierYesNo
Cooler includedNoYes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 5900XIntel Core i3-2120
Cores12+500%2
Performance cores12+500%2
Efficiency cores00
Threads24+500%4
Base clock3.7 GHz+12%3.3 GHz
Boost clock4.8 GHz+45%3.3 GHz
L2 cache6 MB+1100%1 MB
L3 cache64 MB+2033%3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 5900XIntel Core i3-2120
iGPU—Intel HD Graphics 2000
iGPU clock—1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 5900XIntel Core i3-2120
Memory supportDDR4-3200DDR3-1333
Max memory128 GB+300%32 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 5900XIntel Core i3-2120
PCIe version4+100%2
CPU PCIe lanes24+50%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 5900XIntel Core i3-2120
Geekbench 6 (single)2,100+169%Top 46%780Bottom 1%
Geekbench 6 (multi)13,500+744%Top 37%1,600Bottom 1%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,600Bottom 50%—
Cinebench R23 (multi)21,700Top 27%—
PassMark39,000+1525%Top 27%2,400Bottom 1%

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