Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core 5 120

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2025

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core 5 120

6 / 12

21,629

+22.3%

17,685

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 5 120

2025

Why buy it

✅+22.3% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Costs $141 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅Delivers 39.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 21,629).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core 5 120 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120 better than Ryzen 5 3600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 5 120 pulls ahead with 22.3% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 3600 also has the bigger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 5 120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 22.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core 5 120 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 5 120 comes in 70.9% more expensive on MSRP at $340 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 22.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 39.7% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 63.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 3600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core 5 120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core 5 120

The Core 5 120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,629 points. Launch price was $211.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 5 120 and Ryzen 5 3600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core 5 120 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 20.1% lead for the Core 5 120. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+7%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+78%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	21,629+22%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120 was priced at $340, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($340 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $141 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 33.1% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$340	$199-41%
Performance per Dollar	63.6	88.9+40%
Release Date	2025	2019

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