FX-6120 vs Xeon E3-1225

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.

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $36 less on MSRP ($188 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 17.4 PassMark/$ ($188 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,853 vs 3,903).

Xeon E3-1225

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.4 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $188 MSRP).

FX-6120

2012

Xeon E3-1225

2011

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $36 less on MSRP ($188 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 17.4 PassMark/$ ($188 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,853 vs 3,903).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.4 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $188 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6120 better than Xeon E3-1225?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E3-1225 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-6120 is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1225 is the better fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-6120 is the smarter buy today. FX-6120 is $36 cheaper on MSRP at $188 MSRP versus $224 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Xeon E3-1225 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 17.6% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 17.4 PassMark/$), 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?

FX-6120 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). 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.

FX-6120 Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1225 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	FX-6120	Xeon E3-1225
1080p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	85 FPS
1440p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	94 FPS	87 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	70 FPS
4K
low	65 FPS	62 FPS
medium	57 FPS	56 FPS
high	45 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	34 FPS

Open FX-6120 Open Xeon E3-1225

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	FX-6120	Xeon E3-1225
1080p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	87 FPS
4K
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	92 FPS
high	96 FPS	71 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	50 FPS

Open FX-6120 Open Xeon E3-1225

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	FX-6120	Xeon E3-1225
1080p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	98 FPS
4K
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	98 FPS

Open FX-6120 Open Xeon E3-1225

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	FX-6120	Xeon E3-1225
1080p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	98 FPS
4K
low	96 FPS	98 FPS
medium	96 FPS	98 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	98 FPS

Open FX-6120 Open Xeon E3-1225

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of FX-6120 and Xeon E3-1225

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.

Xeon E3-1225

The Xeon E3-1225 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,903 points. Launch price was $150.

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Processing Power

The FX-6120 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E3-1225 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-6120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1225 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the FX-6120 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The FX-6120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1225 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-6120 scores 3,853 against the Xeon E3-1225's 3,903 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1225. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120 vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1225.

Feature	FX-6120	Xeon E3-1225
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+24%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+16%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,853	3,903+1%

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Memory & Platform

The FX-6120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1225 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-6120	Xeon E3-1225
Socket	AM3+	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

The FX-6120 launched at $188 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1225 debuted at $224. On MSRP ($188 vs $224), the FX-6120 is $36 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-6120 delivers 20.5 pts/$ vs 17.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1225 — making the FX-6120 the 16.2% better value option.