FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G5500

FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G5500 Performance Spectrum

FX-6120

6 / 6

3,853

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium Gold G5500

2 / 4

3,846

0.0%

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.

FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G5500 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.

FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G5500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.

Pentium Gold G5500

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,846 vs 3,853).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6120 better than Pentium Gold G5500?

Yes. FX-6120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-6120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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-6120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

FX-6120 is the better buy right now. FX-6120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $188 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold G5500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G5500 Technical Specifications

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

FX-6120

The FX-6120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,853 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium Gold G5500

The Pentium Gold G5500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,846 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The FX-6120 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5500 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-6120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 versus 3.8 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5500 — a 10% clock advantage for the FX-6120 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The FX-6120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5500 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-6120 scores 3,853 against the Pentium Gold G5500's 3,846 — a 0.2% lead for the FX-6120. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5500.

Feature	FX-6120	Pentium Gold G5500
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+200%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+11%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,853	3,846

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Memory & Platform

The FX-6120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G5500 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.