FX-8120 vs Ryzen 7 3700X
FX-8120
Ryzen 7 3700X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The FX-8120 is positioned at rank #567 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-8120
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 3700X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-8120 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-8120 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+3%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FX-8120 and Ryzen 7 3700X
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.
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% |
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 | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Value Analysis
The FX-8120 launched at $205 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X debuted at $329. At current prices ($40 vs $140), the FX-8120 is $100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8120 delivers 164.8 pts/$ vs 160.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the FX-8120 the 2.9% better value option.
| Feature | FX-8120 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $205-38% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-71% | $140 |
| Performance per Dollar | 164.8+3% | 160.2 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2019 |
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