Core i3-1215U vs FX-9590

Core i3-1215U vs FX-9590 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-1215U

6 / 8

10,281

+0.9%

10,194

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

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 i3-1215U vs FX-9590 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 i3-1215U vs FX-9590: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1215U

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 220W, a 205W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of AM3+ and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU), while FX-9590 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

FX-9590

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,194 vs 10,281).
❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Core i3-1215U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1366.7% higher power demand at 220W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on AM3+, while Core i3-1215U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1215U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1215U better than FX-9590?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-9590 is ahead with a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1215U pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1215U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-1215U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1215U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. FX-9590 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (29.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

Core i3-1215U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of AM3+, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1215U vs FX-9590 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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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	—