Core i3-10110U vs FX-6120

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i3-10110U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 10th Gen, while FX-6120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6120 across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,839 vs 3,853).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while Core i3-10110U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10110U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-10110U

2019

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 10th Gen, while FX-6120 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6120 across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,839 vs 3,853).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while Core i3-10110U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10110U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6120 better than Core i3-10110U?

Yes. FX-6120 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 3.8% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-6120 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-6120 is the better fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

FX-6120 is the smarter buy today. FX-6120 is at an unclear MSRP at $188 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10110U is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-10110U Benchmark Check

FX-6120 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-10110U	FX-6120
1080p
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	89 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	69 FPS	65 FPS
medium	57 FPS	57 FPS
high	45 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i3-10110U Open FX-6120

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-10110U	FX-6120
1080p
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	88 FPS	96 FPS
high	82 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	84 FPS	96 FPS
medium	72 FPS	96 FPS
high	68 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	59 FPS	96 FPS
medium	53 FPS	96 FPS
high	41 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i3-10110U Open FX-6120

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-10110U	FX-6120
1080p
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i3-10110U Open FX-6120

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-10110U	FX-6120
1080p
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	96 FPS	96 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i3-10110U Open FX-6120

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-10110U and FX-6120

Core i3-10110U

The Core i3-10110U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,839 points. Launch price was $69.

FX-6120

The FX-6120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,853 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-10110U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6120 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-10110U versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the FX-6120 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-10110U uses the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-6120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10110U scores 3,839 against the FX-6120's 3,853 — a 0.4% lead for the FX-6120. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-10110U vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120.

Feature	Core i3-10110U	FX-6120
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,839	3,853
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,327	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,270	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,353	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10110U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10110U	FX-6120
Socket	FCBGA1528	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-10110U) / not specified (FX-6120). The Core i3-10110U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 10th Gen), while the FX-6120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-10110U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i3-10110U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.