Core i5-3470 vs FX-6350

Core i5-3470 vs FX-6350 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3470

4 / 4

4,663

+0.5%

4,640

0.0%

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 i5-3470 vs FX-6350 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 i5-3470 vs FX-6350: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 125W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.3 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $52 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 25.3 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 4,663).
❌62.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 77W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6350 better than Core i5-3470?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-6350 is ahead with a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-6350 is the better buy right now. FX-6350 comes in $52 cheaper on MSRP at $132 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3470 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 38.7% better value on MSRP (35.2 vs 25.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-6350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3470 vs FX-6350 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

FX-6350

The FX-6350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,640 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3470 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6350 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the FX-6350 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3470.

Feature	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+17%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.9 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,663	4,640

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3470 was priced at $184, while the FX-6350 came in at $132. On launch pricing ($184 vs $132), FX-6350 was $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470 delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 35.2 pts/$ for the FX-6350 — making the FX-6350 the 32.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
MSRP	$184	$132-28%
Performance per Dollar	25.3	35.2+39%
Release Date	2012	2013

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