Pentium G2120T vs Ryzen 5 3600
Pentium G2120T
Ryzen 5 3600
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 Pentium G2120T is positioned at rank #824 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 Pentium G2120T
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G2120T | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G2120T | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+37%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
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 Pentium G2120T and Ryzen 5 3600
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.
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 |
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 | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Pentium G2120T launched at $87 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($10 vs $80), the Pentium G2120T is $70 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G2120T delivers 161.3 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 31.3% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium G2120T | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $87-56% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-88% | $80 |
| Performance per Dollar | 161.3 | 221.1+37% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2019 |
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