Core i7-4770R vs FX-8120

Core i7-4770R vs FX-8120 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-4770R

4 / 8

6,561

0.0%

6,594

+0.5%

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 i7-4770R 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 i7-4770R 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 i7-4770R

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 47W instead of 125W, a 78W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics 5200, while FX-8120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,561 vs 6,594).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.2 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($360 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).

FX-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $155 less on MSRP ($205 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).
✅Delivers 76.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.2 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌166% higher power demand at 125W vs 47W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4770R can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8120 better than Core i7-4770R?

Yes. FX-8120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% 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 1.7% 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 0.5% 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 $155 cheaper on MSRP at $205 MSRP versus $360 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 76.5% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 18.2 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4770R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4770R vs FX-8120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4770R

The Core i7-4770R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,561 points. Launch price was $149.

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 i7-4770R packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8120 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770R versus 4 GHz on the FX-8120 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-4770R uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4770R scores 6,561 against the FX-8120's 6,594 — a 0.5% lead for the FX-8120. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-4770R vs 8192 kB on the FX-8120.

Feature	Core i7-4770R	FX-8120
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+3%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	6,561	6,594
Geekbench 6 Single	1,163	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,204	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4770R uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4770R	FX-8120
Socket	BGA1364	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i7-4770R) / not specified (FX-8120). The Core i7-4770R includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the FX-8120 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-4770R	FX-8120
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Iris Pro Graphics 5200	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4770R was priced at $360, while the FX-8120 came in at $205. On launch pricing ($360 vs $205), FX-8120 was $155 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4770R delivers 18.2 pts/$ vs 32.2 pts/$ for the FX-8120 — making the FX-8120 the 55.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4770R	FX-8120
MSRP	$360	$205-43%
Performance per Dollar	18.2	32.2+77%
Release Date	2013	2011

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