Core i7-4980HQ vs FX-8120

Core i7-4980HQ vs FX-8120 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-4980HQ

4 / 8

6,539

0.0%

6,594

+0.8%

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 i7-4980HQ 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 i7-4980HQ 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 i7-4980HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 47W instead of 125W, a 78W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8120 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,539 vs 6,594).

FX-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $205 MSRP, while Core i7-4980HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌166% higher power demand at 125W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8120 better than Core i7-4980HQ?

Yes. FX-8120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% 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 5.7% 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 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-8120 is the better buy right now. FX-8120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $205 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4980HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4980HQ vs FX-8120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4980HQ

The Core i7-4980HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,539 points. Launch price was $623.

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 i7-4980HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8120 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4980HQ versus 4 GHz on the FX-8120 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-4980HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4980HQ scores 6,539 against the FX-8120's 6,594 — a 0.8% lead for the FX-8120. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4980HQ vs 8192 kB on the FX-8120.

Feature	Core i7-4980HQ	FX-8120
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.1 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8192 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	6,539	6,594

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4980HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.