Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

CPU

GPU

Core 5 120

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2025

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023

Ryzen family

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Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Performance Spectrum

Core 5 120

6 / 12

21,629

0.0%

34,293

+58.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

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 7 7800X3D 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 7 7800X3D: 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

✅Costs $109 less on MSRP ($340 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,629 vs 34,293).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.6 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +61.4% higher average FPS across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 20.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Core 5 120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
32.1% HIGHER MSRP
$449 MSRPvs$340 MSRP
❌84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Core 5 120?

Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 61.4% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data, 58.6% 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, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 61.4% more average FPS across 38 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 18 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 58.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in 32.1% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $340 MSRP, and it still gives you a 61.4% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 20.1% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 63.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core 5 120 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?

Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 18 MB and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 45.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4.4 GHz+76%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	96 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	5 nm-50%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark	21,629	34,293+59%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	18,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Socket	LGA1700	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	28

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Core 5 120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120 was priced at $340, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($340 vs $449), Core 5 120 was $109 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 18.2% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP	$340-24%	$449
Performance per Dollar	63.6	76.4+20%
Release Date	2025	2023

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