Core i5-3475S vs FX-6130

Core i5-3475S vs FX-6130 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3475S

4 / 4

4,315

0.0%

4,353

+0.9%

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 i5-3475S vs FX-6130 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 i5-3475S vs FX-6130: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3475S

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while FX-6130 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-6130.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,315 vs 4,353).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $249 MSRP, while FX-6130 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

FX-6130

2012

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3475S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3475S.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6130 better than Core i5-3475S?

Yes. FX-6130 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% 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, FX-6130 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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, FX-6130 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

FX-6130 is still the much better call for a fresh build. FX-6130 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3475S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

FX-6130 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3475S vs FX-6130 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3475S

The Core i5-3475S 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,315 points. Launch price was $219.

FX-6130

The FX-6130 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,353 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3475S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6130 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6130 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3475S versus 3.9 GHz on the FX-6130 — a 8% clock advantage for the FX-6130 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-3475S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6130 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3475S scores 4,315 against the FX-6130's 4,353 — a 0.9% lead for the FX-6130. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3475S vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6130.

Feature	Core i5-3475S	FX-6130
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,315	4,353
Geekbench 6 Single	705	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,544	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3475S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6130 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3475S	FX-6130
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3475S) / not specified (FX-6130). The Core i5-3475S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-6130 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3475S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3475S rivals FX-6300.

Feature	Core i5-3475S	FX-6130
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3475S was priced at $249, while the FX-6130 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($249 vs $0), FX-6130 was $249 cheaper.

Feature	Core i5-3475S	FX-6130
MSRP	$249	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	17.3	—
Release Date	2012	2012

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