
Core i3-8300

FX-9370
Core i3-8300 vs FX-9370 Performance Spectrum
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 i3-8300 vs FX-9370 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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i3-8300 vs FX-9370: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Core i3-8300
2018Why buy it
- ✅Draws 62W instead of 220W, a 158W reduction.
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while FX-9370 needs a discrete GPU.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-9370.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (6,370 vs 6,374).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 46.2 vs 151.8 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
FX-9370
2013Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +22.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 228.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 151.8 vs 46.2 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌254.8% higher power demand at 220W vs 62W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8300.
Quick Answers
So, is FX-9370 better than Core i3-8300?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-8300 vs FX-9370 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-8300
The Core i3-8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $138.

FX-9370
The FX-9370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,374 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-9370 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-9370 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-8300 versus 4.7 GHz on the FX-9370 — a 23.8% clock advantage for the FX-9370 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i3-8300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-9370 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8300 scores 6,370 against the FX-9370's 6,374 — a 0.1% lead for the FX-9370.
| Feature | Core i3-8300 | FX-9370 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.7 GHz+27% |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.4 GHz+19% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 8192 kB+3100% |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 6,370 | 6,374 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,327 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-8300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-9370 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-8300 | FX-9370 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i3-8300) / not specified (FX-9370). The Core i3-8300 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the FX-9370 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8300 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8300 rivals Ryzen 3 2300X.
| Feature | Core i3-8300 | FX-9370 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i3-8300 was priced at $138, while the FX-9370 came in at $42. On launch pricing ($138 vs $42), FX-9370 was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8300 delivers 46.2 pts/$ vs 151.8 pts/$ for the FX-9370 — making the FX-9370 the 106.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-8300 | FX-9370 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $138 | $42-70% |
| Performance per Dollar | 46.2 | 151.8+229% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2013 |
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