Core i3-8109U vs FX-6300

Core i3-8109U vs FX-6300 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-8109U

2 / 4

4,184

+1.1%

4,137

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i3-8109U vs FX-6300 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 i3-8109U vs FX-6300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8109U

2018

Why buy it

✅+106% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics 655, while FX-6300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-6300.

FX-6300

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-8109U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (534 vs 1,100).
❌Lower PassMark (4,137 vs 4,184).
❌Launch MSRP is still $132 MSRP, while Core i3-8109U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8109U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8109U better than FX-6300?

Yes. Core i3-8109U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-8109U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% 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, Core i3-8109U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8109U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8109U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. FX-6300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (31.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

Core i3-8109U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8109U vs FX-6300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8109U

The Core i3-8109U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,184 points. Launch price was $304.

FX-6300

The FX-6300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,137 points. Launch price was $132.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8109U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6300 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-6300 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the FX-6300 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-8109U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-6300 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the FX-6300's 4,137 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-8109U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 534, a 69.3% lead for the Core i3-8109U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U vs 8192 kB on the FX-6300.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	FX-6300
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8192 kB+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,184+1%	4,137
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+106%	534

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8109U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6300 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8109U versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-6300 — the Core i3-8109U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-8109U) vs 0 (FX-6300) — the Core i3-8109U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	FX-6300
Socket	FCBGA1528	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+29%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Only the FX-6300 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8109U) vs AMD-V (FX-6300). The Core i3-8109U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 655), while the FX-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.