Pentium G2120T vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Pentium G2120T

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WW2013

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Pentium G2120T vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Pentium G2120T

2 / 2

1,613

0.0%

17,685

+996.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ryzen 5 3600: 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 $112 less on MSRP ($87 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,613 vs 17,685).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.5 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +432.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 379.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium G2120T.

Trade-offs

❌
128.7% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$87 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Pentium G2120T?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 432.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 996.4% 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 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 432.4% 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 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 996.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 128.7% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $87 MSRP, and it still gives you a 432.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 379.3% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 18.5 PassMark/$), 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 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013), 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium G2120T vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). 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: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G2120T packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium G2120T scores 1,613 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 166.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G2120T vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	—	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache	32 MB (total)+967%
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	22 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture	—	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,613	17,685+996%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G2120T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1155	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G2120T) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G2120T was priced at $87, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($87 vs $199), Pentium G2120T was $112 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G2120T delivers 18.5 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 131% better value option.

Feature	Pentium G2120T	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$87-56%	$199
Performance per Dollar	18.5	88.9+381%
Release Date	2013	2019

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