FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G6405

FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G6405 Performance Spectrum

FX-6120

6 / 6

3,853

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium Gold G6405

2 / 4

3,817

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 G6405 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 G6405: 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 G6405 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Pentium Gold G6405

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,817 vs 3,853).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6120 better than Pentium Gold G6405?

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 0.9% 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 0.9% 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. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Pentium Gold G6405 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Pentium Gold G6405 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-6120 vs Pentium Gold G6405 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 G6405

The Pentium Gold G6405 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,817 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

The FX-6120 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6405 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-6120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 versus 4.1 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6405 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the FX-6120 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The FX-6120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6405 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-6120 scores 3,853 against the Pentium Gold G6405's 3,817 — a 0.9% lead for the FX-6120. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6405.

Feature	FX-6120	Pentium Gold G6405
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+200%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+2%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4.1 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	3,853	3,817

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Memory & Platform

The FX-6120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G6405 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.