AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i3-2120
93.2Single-core20
98.7Multi-core20
95Gamingspec-based20
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-2120
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins this desktop processor face-off, 96.1 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 9950X3D
- Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 20
- Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 20
- 4167% higher L3 cache: 128 MB vs 3 MB
- 3100% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 1 MB
- 2821% higher PassMark: 70,094 vs 2,400
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 $699
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025+1% | 2011 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1155 |
| Process | 4 nm+87% | 32 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 65 W+62% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+700% | 2 |
| Performance cores | 16+700% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+700% | 4 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+30% | 3.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+73% | 3.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+3100% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 128 MB+4167% | 3 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | 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
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+700% | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+150% | 2 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,434+340%Top 1% | 780Bottom 1% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 22,405+1300%Top 4% | 1,600Bottom 1% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,259Top 8% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,018Top 4% | — |
| PassMark | 70,094+2821%Top 2% | 2,400Bottom 1% |
Related comparisons
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3Dvs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual EditionVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3Dvs AMD Ryzen 9 9950XVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3Dvs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K PlusVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3Dvs Intel Core Ultra 9 285KVSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i3-3220VSIntel Core i3-2120vs AMD Ryzen 3 1200VSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-3470VSIntel Core i3-2120vs Intel Core i5-4590VS