FX-8120 vs Ryzen 9 3900

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Aggregate performance score

Ryzen 9 3900
2019
12 cores / 24 threads, 65 Watt
20.12
+367%

Ryzen 9 3900 outperforms FX-8120 by a whopping 367% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2891379
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation20.34no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Matisse (Ryzen 3000 Desktop)no data
Power efficiency28.233.14
Architecture codenameMatisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)Zambezi (2011−2012)
Release date24 September 2019 (5 years ago)12 October 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$499no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores12 (Dodeca-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads248
Base clock speed3.1 GHz3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4.3 GHz4 GHz
L1 cache768 KB384 KB
L2 cache6 MB8192 KB
L3 cache64 MB8192 KB
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm32 nm
Die size2x 74 mm2315 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data61 °C
Number of transistors7,600 million1,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++
P0 Vcore voltageno dataMin: 1.0125 V - Max: 1.4125 V

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketAM4AM3+
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions86x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, Precision Boost 2no data
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Precision Boost 2+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120 are enumerated here.

AMD-V++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-3200DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.196 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120.

PCIe version4.0n/a
PCI Express lanes24no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Ryzen 9 3900 20.12
+367%
FX-8120 4.31

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Ryzen 9 3900 30796
+367%
FX-8120 6594

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Ryzen 9 3900 1680
+309%
FX-8120 411

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Ryzen 9 3900 9569
+528%
FX-8120 1523

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 20.12 4.31
Recency 24 September 2019 12 October 2011
Physical cores 12 8
Threads 24 8
Chip lithography 7 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 125 Watt

Ryzen 9 3900 has a 366.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads, a 357.1% more advanced lithography process, and 92.3% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 9 3900 is our recommended choice as it beats the FX-8120 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen 9 3900 and FX-8120, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen 9 3900
Ryzen 9 3900
AMD FX-8120
FX-8120

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Ryzen 9 3900 or FX-8120, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.