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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core i3-2120

WINNER
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
93.7Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i3-2120
20Inno Score
93Single-core20
99Multi-core20
85.2Gamingspec-based20
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 20, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+79) and single-core (+73). 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 9950X

  • Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 20
  • Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 20
  • 3100% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 1 MB
  • 2671% higher PassMark: 66,500 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 $649

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9950XIntel Core i3-2120
Announced2024+1%2011
SocketAM5LGA1155
Process4 nm+87%32 nm
Base TDP170 W65 W+62%
Max turbo power230 W—
Unlocked multiplierYesNo
Cooler includedNoYes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9950XIntel Core i3-2120
Cores16+700%2
Performance cores16+700%2
Efficiency cores00
Threads32+700%4
Base clock4.3 GHz+30%3.3 GHz
Boost clock5.7 GHz+73%3.3 GHz
L2 cache16 MB+3100%1 MB
L3 cache64 MB+2033%3 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9950XIntel Core i3-2120
iGPUAMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)Intel HD Graphics 2000
iGPU clock2,200 MHz1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9950XIntel Core i3-2120
Memory supportDDR5-5600DDR3-1333
Max memory192 GB+500%32 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9950XIntel Core i3-2120
PCIe version5+150%2
CPU PCIe lanes28+75%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X versus Intel Core i3-2120
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9950XIntel Core i3-2120
Geekbench 6 (single)3,400+336%Top 2%780Bottom 1%
Geekbench 6 (multi)23,000+1338%Top 2%1,600Bottom 1%
Cinebench R23 (single)2,280Top 4%—
Cinebench R23 (multi)42,000Top 5%—
PassMark66,500+2671%Top 4%2,400Bottom 1%

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