Core i5-7600 vs FX-8120

Core i5-7600 vs FX-8120 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7600

4 / 4

6,568

0.0%

6,594

+0.4%

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 i5-7600 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 i5-7600 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 i5-7600

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while FX-8120 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-8120.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8120 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,568 vs 6,594).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.3 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).

FX-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $19 less on MSRP ($205 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
✅Delivers 9.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.2 vs 29.3 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7600.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8120 better than Core i5-7600?

Yes. FX-8120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% 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 8.5% 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 0.4% 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 the better buy right now. FX-8120 comes in $19 cheaper on MSRP at $205 MSRP versus $224 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 9.7% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 29.3 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7600 vs FX-8120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7600

The Core i5-7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: 6,568 points. Launch price was $224.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8120 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-7600 versus 4 GHz on the FX-8120 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-7600 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7600 scores 6,568 against the FX-8120's 6,594 — a 0.4% lead for the FX-8120. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7600 vs 8192 kB on the FX-8120.

Feature	Core i5-7600	FX-8120
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+2%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+13%	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	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	6,568	6,594
Geekbench 6 Single	1,307	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7600 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 i5-7600	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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600) / not specified (FX-8120). The Core i5-7600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the FX-8120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7600 rivals Ryzen 5 1500X.

Feature	Core i5-7600	FX-8120
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7600 was priced at $224, while the FX-8120 came in at $205. On launch pricing ($224 vs $205), FX-8120 was $19 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7600 delivers 29.3 pts/$ vs 32.2 pts/$ for the FX-8120 — making the FX-8120 the 9.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7600	FX-8120
MSRP	$224	$205-8%
Performance per Dollar	29.3	32.2+10%
Release Date	2017	2011

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