Ryzen 5 3450U vs FX-8120
Ryzen 5 3450U
FX-8120
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. 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
Performance Per Dollar FX-8120
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 3450U | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) / 12 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 3450U | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
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 Ryzen 5 3450U and FX-8120
Ryzen 5 3450U
The Ryzen 5 3450U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,550 points. Launch price was $149.
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.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 3450U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8120 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3450U versus 4 GHz on the FX-8120 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3450U uses the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture (12 nm), while the FX-8120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3450U scores 6,550 against the FX-8120's 6,594 — a 0.7% lead for the FX-8120. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Ryzen 5 3450U vs 8192 kB on the FX-8120.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3450U | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.1 GHz+48% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 8192 kB+100% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 8192 kB+300% |
| Process | 12 nm-63% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) | Zambezi (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 6,550 | 6,594 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 3450U uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3450U | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP5 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
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