Core i3-7320 vs FX-8140

Core i3-7320 vs FX-8140 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7320

2 / 4

4,831

0.0%

4,860

+0.6%

FX-4130

FX-7500

Athlon X4 845

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

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.

Core i3-7320 vs FX-8140 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-7320 vs FX-8140: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-7320

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $126 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 125.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.8 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 95W, a 44W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while FX-8140 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8140 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,831 vs 4,860).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-8140

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 48.8 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
❌86.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7320 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7320.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8140 better than Core i3-7320?

Yes. FX-8140 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8140 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-8140 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has 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-8140 is still the much better call for a fresh build. FX-8140 comes in 127.3% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $99 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-7320 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 125.9% better value on paper (48.8 vs 21.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i3-7320 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7320 vs FX-8140 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-7320

The Core i3-7320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 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: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,831 points. Launch price was $157.

FX-8140

The FX-8140 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 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,860 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7320 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8140 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8140 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-7320 versus 4.1 GHz on the FX-8140 — identical boost frequencies (base: 4.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-7320 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8140 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7320 scores 4,831 against the FX-8140's 4,860 — a 0.6% lead for the FX-8140. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7320 vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8140.

Feature	Core i3-7320	FX-8140
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	4.1 GHz+28%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+3100%	8 MB
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,831	4,860
Geekbench 6 Single	1,388	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8140 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7320	FX-8140
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7320) / not specified (FX-8140). The Core i3-7320 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the FX-8140 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7320 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7320 rivals Ryzen 3 1300X.

Feature	Core i3-7320	FX-8140
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7320 was priced at $99, while the FX-8140 came in at $225. On launch pricing ($99 vs $225), Core i3-7320 was $126 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7320 delivers 48.8 pts/$ vs 21.6 pts/$ for the FX-8140 — making the Core i3-7320 the 77.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7320	FX-8140
MSRP	$99-56%	$225
Performance per Dollar	48.8+126%	21.6
Release Date	2017	2012

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