Core i3-4120U vs Phenom X4 9850B

Core i3-4120U vs Phenom X4 9850B Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4120U

2 / 4

1,948

+0.1%

1,946

0.0%

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 i3-4120U vs Phenom X4 9850B 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 i3-4120U vs Phenom X4 9850B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4120U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4400, while Phenom X4 9850B needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Phenom X4 9850B

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,946 vs 1,948).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4120U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4120U better than Phenom X4 9850B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom X4 9850B is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4120U pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i3-4120U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4120U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-4120U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4120U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-4120U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2008), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4120U vs Phenom X4 9850B Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4120U

The Core i3-4120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,948 points. Launch price was $281.

Phenom X4 9850B

The Phenom X4 9850B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,946 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4120U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X4 9850B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9850B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-4120U versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom X4 9850B — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9850B. The Core i3-4120U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom X4 9850B uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4120U scores 1,948 against the Phenom X4 9850B's 1,946 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-4120U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4120U vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9850B.

Feature	Core i3-4120U	Phenom X4 9850B
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.5 GHz+25%
Base Clock	2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,948	1,946
Geekbench 6 Single	462	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,071	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4120U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom X4 9850B uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4120U	Phenom X4 9850B
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-4120U) / not specified (Phenom X4 9850B). The Core i3-4120U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Phenom X4 9850B requires a dedicated GPU.