The AMD FX-8120 is about 8% faster than the AMD FX-6300 in our estimate.
The AMD FX-8120 is about 8% faster than the AMD FX-6300 in our estimate.
| AMD FX-8120 | AMD FX-6300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming index | 14 | 13 |
| Cores / threads | 8 / 8 | 6 / 6 |
| Max boost | 4 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
| Power (TDP) | 125 W | 95 W |
| Socket | AM3+ | AM3+ |
| Release year | 2011 | 2012 |
| Launch price | $205 | $132 |
| Performance per $100 (launch) | 6.8 | 9.8 |
On our gaming index the AMD FX-8120 scores 14 and the AMD FX-6300 scores 13, about 8% faster for gaming. That gap is small and mostly shows up at 1080p with a very fast graphics card.
The AMD FX-8120 has 8 cores and 8 threads, and the AMD FX-6300 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The extra cores of the AMD FX-8120 help with video editing, streaming while you play and heavy multitasking more than with the game itself. Boost clocks are 4 GHz and 4.1 GHz.
Both chips use the AM3+ socket, so they fit the same motherboards. You can swap one for the other without changing the board.
Rated power is 125 W for the first and 95 W for the second. That is close enough that cooling needs will be similar.
At launch the AMD FX-8120 cost $205 and the AMD FX-6300 $132, which gives 6.8 and 9.8 points of gaming performance per $100. Today's prices will differ.
At 1080p the AMD FX-8120 can feed a card up to the GeForce GTX 1660 Super before it holds the card back by more than 10 percent. The AMD FX-6300 reaches the Radeon RX 6500 XT. Both chips are in the same range for graphics card pairing.
Choose the AMD FX-8120 if you want the faster gaming chip and the same or more cores. Choose the AMD FX-6300 if you would rather spend the difference on a graphics card, which does more for frame rates in most games.
The AMD FX-8120 is about 8% faster than the AMD FX-6300 in our estimate.
If your graphics card is already the limit in your games, a faster processor adds little. Use the bottleneck calculator to check your own pairing.
Updated October 3, 2026