Core i5-3330S 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 i5-3330S

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6120 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.9 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $188 MSRP).

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($188 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Delivers 20.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 16.9 PassMark/$ ($188 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,853 vs 3,915).
❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.

Core i5-3330S

2012

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($188 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Delivers 20.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 16.9 PassMark/$ ($188 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6120 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.9 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $188 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,853 vs 3,915).
❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3330S better than FX-6120?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, FX-6120 is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330S pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark. FX-6120 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330S is the better fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3330S is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i5-3330S is 22.9% more expensive on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $188 MSRP, and it gives you 1.6% better PassMark. FX-6120 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 20.9% better value on paper (20.5 vs 16.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

FX-6120 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

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 i5-3330S Benchmark Check

FX-6120 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-3330S	FX-6120
1080p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	85 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	66 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	65 FPS	65 FPS
medium	55 FPS	57 FPS
high	43 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-3330S Open FX-6120

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-3330S	FX-6120
1080p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	76 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i5-3330S Open FX-6120

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-3330S	FX-6120
1080p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i5-3330S Open FX-6120

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-3330S	FX-6120
1080p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	98 FPS	96 FPS
medium	98 FPS	96 FPS
high	98 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i5-3330S Open FX-6120

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3330S and FX-6120

Core i5-3330S

The Core i5-3330S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,915 points. Launch price was $231.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3330S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6120 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330S versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 — a 27% clock advantage for the FX-6120 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-3330S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330S scores 3,915 against the FX-6120's 3,853 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-3330S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330S vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120.

Feature	Core i5-3330S	FX-6120
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+31%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,915+2%	3,853

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3330S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3330S	FX-6120
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

The Core i5-3330S launched at $231 MSRP, while the FX-6120 debuted at $188. On MSRP ($231 vs $188), the FX-6120 is $43 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3330S delivers 16.9 pts/$ vs 20.5 pts/$ for the FX-6120 — making the FX-6120 the 18.9% better value option.