Core i3-9100 vs FX-8120

Core i3-9100 vs FX-8120 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-9100

4 / 4

6,586

0.0%

6,594

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 i3-9100 vs FX-8120 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 i3-9100 vs FX-8120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9100

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $83 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Delivers 67.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 54.0 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8120 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,586 vs 6,594).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.2 vs 54.0 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8120 better than Core i3-9100?

Yes. FX-8120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-8120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

FX-8120 is still the better call for a fresh build. FX-8120 comes in 68.0% more expensive on MSRP at $205 MSRP versus $122 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-9100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 6,586 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Core i3-9100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9100 vs FX-8120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9100

The Core i3-9100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,586 points. Launch price was $122.

FX-8120

The FX-8120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,594 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-9100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8120 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100 versus 4 GHz on the FX-8120 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-9100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100 scores 6,586 against the FX-8120's 6,594 — a 0.1% lead for the FX-8120. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100 vs 8192 kB on the FX-8120.

Feature	Core i3-9100	FX-8120
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+16%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	6,586	6,594

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9100	FX-8120
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100 was priced at $122, while the FX-8120 came in at $205. On launch pricing ($122 vs $205), Core i3-9100 was $83 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100 delivers 54.0 pts/$ vs 32.2 pts/$ for the FX-8120 — making the Core i3-9100 the 50.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9100	FX-8120
MSRP	$122-40%	$205
Performance per Dollar	54.0+68%	32.2
Release Date	2019	2011

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