FX-8120 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

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 7 3700X 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 7 3700X: 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

✅Costs $124 less on MSRP ($205 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,594 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.2 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +105.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Delivers 112.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
60.5% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$205 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than FX-8120?

Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 105.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 240.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 105.2% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 240.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 60.5% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $205 MSRP, and it still gives you a 105.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 112.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 32.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011), 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

FX-8120 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

The FX-8120 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 3700X's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8120 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The FX-8120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8120 scores 6,594 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 109.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8120 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	FX-8120	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	8192 kB	32 MB+300%
L2 Cache	8192 kB+1500%	512K (per core)
Process	32 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-78%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,594	22,430+240%

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Memory & Platform

The FX-8120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-8120	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	AM3+	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-8120 was priced at $205, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($205 vs $329), FX-8120 was $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8120 delivers 32.2 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 71.8% better value option.

Feature	FX-8120	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$205-38%	$329
Performance per Dollar	32.2	68.2+112%
Release Date	2011	2019

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