AMD Ryzen 9 7900 vs Intel Core i3-2120
78.6Single-core20
70.5Multi-core20
83.3Gamingspec-based20
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 79001 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 wins this desktop processor face-off, 76.1 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+59) and multi-core (+51). 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 7900
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 20
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 20
- 2300% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 1 MB
- 2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB
- 1901% higher PassMark: 48,013 vs 2,400
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $138 vs $429
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023+1% | 2011 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1155 |
| Process | 5 nm+84% | 32 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+500% | 2 |
| Performance cores | 12+500% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 24+500% | 4 |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz+12% | 3.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz+64% | 3.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+2300% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+2033% | 3 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,100 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5200 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+150% | 2 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,990+283%Top 19% | 780Bottom 1% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 15,725+883%Top 28% | 1,600Bottom 1% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,966Top 26% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,776Top 21% | — |
| PassMark | 48,013+1901%Top 20% | 2,400Bottom 1% |
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