Core i3-7350K vs FX-8140

Core i3-7350K vs FX-8140 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7350K

2 / 4

4,886

+0.5%

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

4,860

0.0%

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 i3-7350K 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 i3-7350K 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 i3-7350K

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $46 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.3 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 95W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

FX-8140

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,860 vs 4,886).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 27.3 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
❌58.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 60W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7350K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7350K better than FX-8140?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8140 is ahead with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7350K pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. FX-8140 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7350K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7350K is the better buy right now. Core i3-7350K comes in $46 cheaper on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-8140 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 26.4% better value on MSRP (27.3 vs 21.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-7350K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7350K vs FX-8140 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7350K

The Core i3-7350K 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 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,886 points. Launch price was $179.

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 i3-7350K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8140 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8140 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K versus 4.1 GHz on the FX-8140 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-7350K (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-7350K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8140 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7350K scores 4,886 against the FX-8140's 4,860 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-7350K. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7350K vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8140.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	FX-8140
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+2%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+31%	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	4,886	4,860
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,100	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,298	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,740	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7350K 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 i3-7350K	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: true (Core i3-7350K) / not specified (FX-8140). The Core i3-7350K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the FX-8140 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	FX-8140
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7350K was priced at $179, while the FX-8140 came in at $225. On launch pricing ($179 vs $225), Core i3-7350K was $46 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7350K delivers 27.3 pts/$ vs 21.6 pts/$ for the FX-8140 — making the Core i3-7350K the 23.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	FX-8140
MSRP	$179-20%	$225
Performance per Dollar	27.3+26%	21.6
Release Date	2017	2012

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