FX-8120 vs Ryzen 5 3450U

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-8120 vs Ryzen 5 3450U 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-8120 vs Ryzen 5 3450U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $205 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 3450U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6150% higher power demand at 125W vs 2W.

Ryzen 5 3450U

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 125W, a 123W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8120 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,550 vs 6,594).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8120 better than Ryzen 5 3450U?

Yes. FX-8120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% 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 6.3% 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 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 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-8120 is the better buy right now. FX-8120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $205 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 3450U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-8120 vs Ryzen 5 3450U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 3450U

The Ryzen 5 3450U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,550 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The FX-8120 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3450U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8120 versus 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3450U — a 13.3% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The FX-8120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3450U uses Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) (12 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8120 scores 6,594 against the Ryzen 5 3450U's 6,550 — a 0.7% lead for the FX-8120. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8120 vs 4 MB on the Ryzen 5 3450U.

Feature	FX-8120	Ryzen 5 3450U
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+48%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB+100%	4 MB
L2 Cache	8192 kB+300%	2 MB
Process	32 nm	12 nm-63%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,594	6,550