How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X scores 86.7/100 overall; Intel Core i3-3220 scores 20.2/100. AMD Ryzen 9 7950X wins 18 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-3220 wins 2.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and the Intel Core i3-3220?

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X advantages: Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 93 vs 20; 3100% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 1 MB; 2215% higher PassMark: 62,500 vs 2,700; 2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB. Intel Core i3-3220 advantages: 68% lower Base TDP: 55 W vs 170 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $117 vs $699.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X or Intel Core i3-3220?

Intel Core i3-3220 launched cheaper at $117, versus $699 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X vs Intel Core i3-3220

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X

$699

Intel

Intel Core i3-3220

$117

78.6Single-core20

92.9Multi-core20.4

85.2Gamingspec-based20

18 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 7950X2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-3220

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 86.7 to 20.2, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+73) and single-core (+59). Intel Core i3-3220 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 7950X

Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 93 vs 20
3100% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 1 MB
2215% higher PassMark: 62,500 vs 2,700
2033% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 3 MB

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-3220

68% lower Base TDP: 55 W vs 170 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $117 vs $699

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X versus Intel Core i3-3220
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X	Intel Core i3-3220
Announced	2022	2012
Socket	AM5	LGA1155
Process	5 nm+77%	22 nm
Base TDP	170 W	55 W+68%
Max turbo power	230 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	No	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X versus Intel Core i3-3220
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X	Intel Core i3-3220
Cores	16+700%	2
Performance cores	16+700%	2
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	32+700%	4
Base clock	4.5 GHz+36%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	5.7 GHz+73%	3.3 GHz
L2 cache	16 MB+3100%	1 MB
L3 cache	64 MB+2033%	3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X versus Intel Core i3-3220
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X	Intel Core i3-3220
iGPU	AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)	Intel HD Graphics 2500
iGPU clock	2,200 MHz	1,050 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X versus Intel Core i3-3220
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X	Intel Core i3-3220
Memory support	DDR5-5200	DDR3-1600
Max memory	128 GB+300%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X versus Intel Core i3-3220
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X	Intel Core i3-3220
PCIe version	5+150%	2
CPU PCIe lanes	28+75%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X versus Intel Core i3-3220
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X	Intel Core i3-3220
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,920+270%Top 25%	790Bottom 2%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	21,000+1121%Top 7%	1,720Bottom 2%
Cinebench R23 (single)	2,020+164%Top 24%	765Bottom 1%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	38,000+1900%Top 9%	1,900Bottom 1%
PassMark	62,500+2215%Top 6%	2,700Bottom 2%

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