Core i3-2120 vs Phenom II X4 805

Core i3-2120 vs Phenom II X4 805 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-2120

2 / 4

1,979

0.0%

2,001

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i3-2120 vs Phenom II X4 805 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 i3-2120 vs Phenom II X4 805: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2120

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Phenom II X4 805 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X4 805.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,979 vs 2,001).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 805 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 805

2009

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2120 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2120.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2120 better than Phenom II X4 805?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2120 is ahead with a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 805 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 805 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 805 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i3-2120 is the better buy right now. Core i3-2120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 805 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-2120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-2120 vs Phenom II X4 805 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Phenom II X4 805

The Phenom II X4 805 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 February 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,001 points. Launch price was $174.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-2120 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 805 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 805 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X4 805 — a 27.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-2120 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 805 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120 scores 1,979 against the Phenom II X4 805's 2,001 — a 1.1% lead for the Phenom II X4 805. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120 vs 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 805.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Phenom II X4 805
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+32%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+32%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,979	2,001+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,073	—
Geekbench 6 Single	534	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,140	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2120 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 805 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2120	Phenom II X4 805
Socket	LGA1155	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-2120) / not specified (Phenom II X4 805). The Core i3-2120 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Phenom II X4 805 requires a dedicated GPU.