Pentium G2120T vs Phenom II X3 720

CPU

GPU

Pentium G2120T

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WW2013

Similar parts

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Phenom II X3 720

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010

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Pentium G2120T vs Phenom II X3 720 Performance Spectrum

Pentium G2120T

2 / 2

1,613

+0.8%

1,600

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Pentium G2120T vs Phenom II X3 720 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.

Pentium G2120T vs Phenom II X3 720: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G2120T

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($87 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
✅Delivers 50.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.5 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X3 720.

Phenom II X3 720

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Pentium G2120T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,600 vs 1,613).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.3 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G2120T better than Phenom II X3 720?

Yes. Pentium G2120T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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, Pentium G2120T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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, Pentium G2120T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G2120T is the better buy right now. Pentium G2120T comes in $43 cheaper on MSRP at $87 MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 50.6% better value on MSRP (18.5 vs 12.3 PassMark/$), 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 G2120T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium G2120T vs Phenom II X3 720 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G2120T

The Pentium G2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,613 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom II X3 720

The Phenom II X3 720 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,600 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G2120T packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 720 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 720 has 1 more core. The Phenom II X3 720 is built on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium G2120T scores 1,613 against the Phenom II X3 720's 1,600 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium G2120T. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G2120T vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 720.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Phenom II X3 720
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	—	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	—	Heka (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,613	1,600
Geekbench 6 Single	—	380
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	980

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G2120T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 720 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Phenom II X3 720
Socket	LGA1155	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G2120T) / AMD-V (Phenom II X3 720). Primary use case: Phenom II X3 720 targets Legacy Desktop.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Phenom II X3 720
Integrated GPU	—	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Legacy Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G2120T was priced at $87, while the Phenom II X3 720 came in at $130. On launch pricing ($87 vs $130), Pentium G2120T was $43 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G2120T delivers 18.5 pts/$ vs 12.3 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 720 — making the Pentium G2120T the 40.4% better value option.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Phenom II X3 720
MSRP	$87-33%	$130
Performance per Dollar	18.5+50%	12.3
Release Date	2013	2010

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