
Core i3-1215U vs FX-9590

Core i3-1215U

FX-9590
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-1215U is positioned at rank 606 and the FX-9590 is on rank 608, so the Core i3-1215U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1215U
Performance Per Dollar FX-9590
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-1215U | FX-9590 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-1215U | FX-9590 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-1215U and FX-9590

Core i3-1215U
The Core i3-1215U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,281 points. Launch price was $149.

FX-9590
The FX-9590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,194 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-1215U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-9590 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-9590 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1215U versus 5 GHz on the FX-9590 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the FX-9590 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i3-1215U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the FX-9590 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1215U scores 10,281 against the FX-9590's 10,194 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-1215U.
| Feature | Core i3-1215U | FX-9590 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 8 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 5 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 1.2 GHz | 4.7 GHz+292% |
| L3 Cache | 10 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 8192 kB+540% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-78% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-U (2022) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 10,281 | 10,194 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,079 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-1215U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the FX-9590 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-1215U | FX-9590 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1744 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+150% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-5200 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1215U) / not specified (FX-9590). The Core i3-1215U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)), while the FX-9590 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1215U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1215U rivals Ryzen 3 5425U.
| Feature | Core i3-1215U | FX-9590 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU) | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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