How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X scores 79.7/100 overall; Intel Core i3-2120 scores 20/100. AMD Ryzen 9 7900X wins 16 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-2120 wins 2.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and the Intel Core i3-2120?

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X advantages: Stronger single-core score: 77 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 79 vs 20; 2300% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 1 MB; 2088% higher PassMark: 52,500 vs 2,400; 2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB. Intel Core i3-2120 advantages: 62% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 170 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $138 vs $549.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel Core i3-2120?

Intel Core i3-2120 launched cheaper at $138, versus $549 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X.

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs Intel Core i3-2120

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

$549

Intel

Intel Core i3-2120

$138

77.4Single-core20

78.5Multi-core20

84.6Gamingspec-based20

16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 7900X2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 79.7 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+59) and single-core (+57). 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 7900X

Stronger single-core score: 77 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 79 vs 20
2300% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 1 MB
2088% higher PassMark: 52,500 vs 2,400
2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-2120

62% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 170 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $138 vs $549

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Announced	2022+1%	2011
Socket	AM5	LGA1155
Process	5 nm+84%	32 nm
Base TDP	170 W	65 W+62%
Max turbo power	230 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	No	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Cores	12+500%	2
Performance cores	12+500%	2
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	24+500%	4
Base clock	4.7 GHz+42%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	5.6 GHz+70%	3.3 GHz
L2 cache	12 MB+2300%	1 MB
L3 cache	64 MB+2033%	3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-2120
iGPU	AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)	Intel HD Graphics 2000
iGPU clock	2,200 MHz	1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Memory support	DDR5-5200	DDR3-1333
Max memory	128 GB+300%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-2120
PCIe version	5+150%	2
CPU PCIe lanes	28+75%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-2120
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-2120
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,880+269%Top 27%	780Bottom 1%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	18,500+1056%Top 18%	1,600Bottom 1%
Cinebench R23 (single)	2,000Top 25%	—
Cinebench R23 (multi)	29,000Top 17%	—
PassMark	52,500+2088%Top 14%	2,400Bottom 1%

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