Core i5-3230M vs FX-7600P

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

FX-7600P

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

+0.3%

2,557

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-3230M is positioned at rank 30 and the FX-7600P is on rank 939, so the Core i5-3230M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar FX-7600P

#927

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1721%

#928

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1696%

#929

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1557%

#930

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1550%

#931

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1535%

#933

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1483%

#934

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1422%

#935

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1419%

#936

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1381%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

100%

#940

Athlon II M300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

100%

#944

Athlon Neo X2 L335

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

98%

#945

Core i7-3610QE

MSRP: $315|Avg: $105

97%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

96%

#950

FX-9800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

96%

#951

Celeron 1020E

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

96%

#954

Core i7-5850EQ

MSRP: $435|Avg: $370

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The FX-7600P leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3230M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	FX-7600P
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Kaveri (2014−2015) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3230M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 71% cheaper ($13 vs $45) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	FX-7600P
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+247%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-3230M Benchmark Check

FX-7600P Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and FX-7600P

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

FX-7600P

The FX-7600P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 June 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,557 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3230M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-7600P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-7600P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 3.6 GHz on the FX-7600P — a 11.8% clock advantage for the FX-7600P (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-7600P uses Kaveri (2014−2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the FX-7600P's 2,557 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-3230M.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	FX-7600P
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	22 nm-21%	28 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaveri (2014−2015)
PassMark	2,565	2,557
Geekbench 6 Single	565	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-7600P uses FP3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	FX-7600P
Socket	BGA1023	FP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) / not specified (FX-7600P). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-7600P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	FX-7600P
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3230M launched at $225 MSRP, while the FX-7600P debuted at $150. At current prices ($13 vs $45), the Core i5-3230M is $32 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3230M delivers 197.3 pts/$ vs 56.8 pts/$ for the FX-7600P — making the Core i5-3230M the 110.6% better value option.