Core i3-9100F vs FX-8120

Core i3-9100F vs FX-8120 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-9100F

4 / 4

6,704

+1.7%

6,594

0.0%

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 i3-9100F 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 i3-9100F 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 i3-9100F

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $108 less on MSRP ($97 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 69.1 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($97 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

FX-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,594 vs 6,704).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.2 vs 69.1 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $97 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8120 is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100F pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. FX-8120 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9100F is the better buy right now. Core i3-9100F comes in $108 cheaper on MSRP at $97 MSRP versus $205 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-8120 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 114.9% better value on MSRP (69.1 vs 32.2 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9100F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9100F vs FX-8120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9100F

The Core i3-9100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) 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. Passmark benchmark score: 6,704 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 i3-9100F 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 i3-9100F versus 4 GHz on the FX-8120 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-9100F uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100F scores 6,704 against the FX-8120's 6,594 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i3-9100F. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100F vs 8192 kB on the FX-8120.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	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-R (2018−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	6,704+2%	6,594

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100F 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 i3-9100F	FX-8120
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-9100F) / not specified (FX-8120). Primary use case: Core i3-9100F targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	FX-8120
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100F was priced at $97, while the FX-8120 came in at $205. On launch pricing ($97 vs $205), Core i3-9100F was $108 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100F delivers 69.1 pts/$ vs 32.2 pts/$ for the FX-8120 — making the Core i3-9100F the 73% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	FX-8120
MSRP	$97-53%	$205
Performance per Dollar	69.1+115%	32.2
Release Date	2019	2011

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