Core i3-8140U vs FX-6300

Core i3-8140U vs FX-6300 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-8140U

2 / 4

4,227

+2.2%

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 i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U

2019

Why buy it

✅+2.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while FX-6300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-6300.

FX-6300

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-8140U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,137 vs 4,227).
❌Launch MSRP is still $132 MSRP, while Core i3-8140U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8140U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8140U better than FX-6300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-6300 is ahead with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8140U pulls ahead with 2.2% better PassMark. FX-6300 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 i3-8140U is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8140U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8140U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.2% better PassMark. FX-6300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (31.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8140U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 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 i3-8140U vs FX-6300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8140U

The Core i3-8140U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2019 (6 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 4,227 points. Launch price was $69.

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 i3-8140U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6300 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8140U versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-6300 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-8140U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The FX-6300 is built on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-8140U scores 4,227 against the FX-6300's 4,137 — a 2.2% lead for the Core i3-8140U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,225 vs 534, a 78.6% lead for the Core i3-8140U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-8140U vs 8192 kB on the FX-6300.

Feature	Core i3-8140U	FX-6300
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8192 kB+100%
L2 Cache	—	6144 kB
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,227+2%	4,137
Geekbench 6 Single	1,225+129%	534

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-6300 — the Core i3-8140U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-8140U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-8140U) vs 0 (FX-6300) — the Core i3-8140U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-8140U	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	64 GB+100%	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 i3-8140U) vs AMD-V (FX-6300). The Core i3-8140U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the FX-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8140U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8140U rivals Ryzen 3 3300U.