A8-6500T vs Core i3-2120

A8-6500T vs Core i3-2120 Performance Spectrum

A8-6500T

4 / 4

1,983

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-2120

2 / 4

1,979

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A8-6500T vs Core i3-2120 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A8-6500T vs Core i3-2120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A8-6500T

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i3-2120

2011

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-6500T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,979 vs 1,983).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while A8-6500T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-6500T better than Core i3-2120?

Yes. A8-6500T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A8-6500T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A8-6500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

A8-6500T is still the much better call for a fresh build. A8-6500T comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-2120 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A8-6500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-6500T vs Core i3-2120 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A8-6500T

The A8-6500T is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,983 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i3-2120

The Core i3-2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,979 points. Launch price was $95.

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Processing Power

The A8-6500T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-2120 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-6500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the A8-6500T versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The A8-6500T uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-2120 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A8-6500T scores 1,983 against the Core i3-2120's 1,979 — a 0.2% lead for the A8-6500T.

Feature	A8-6500T	Core i3-2120
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,983	1,979
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,073
Geekbench 6 Single	—	534
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,140

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Memory & Platform

The A8-6500T uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2120 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1866 on the A8-6500T versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2120 — the A8-6500T supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-6500T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: FM2 (A8-6500T) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,Q65,Q67,B75,H77,Q75,Q77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2120).

Feature	A8-6500T	Core i3-2120
Socket	FM2	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1866+40%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (A8-6500T) vs Yes (Core i3-2120). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 8550D (A8-6500T) and Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2120) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-6500T rivals Core i3-3220T.