Core i5-3550 vs FX-8140

Core i5-3550 vs FX-8140 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3550

4 / 4

4,778

0.0%

4,860

+1.7%

FX-4130

FX-7500

Athlon X4 845

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

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 i5-3550 vs FX-8140 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 i5-3550 vs FX-8140: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3550

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 14.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8140 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,778 vs 4,860).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-8140

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8140 better than Core i5-3550?

Yes. FX-8140 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.7% 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-8140 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.1% 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-8140 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 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-8140 is still the much better call for a fresh build. FX-8140 comes in 16.0% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3550 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 14.0% better value on paper (24.6 vs 21.6 PassMark/$), 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-8140 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 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3550 vs FX-8140 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3550

The Core i5-3550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: 4,778 points. Launch price was $205.

FX-8140

The FX-8140 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 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,860 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8140 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8140 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 4.1 GHz on the FX-8140 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the FX-8140 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8140 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the FX-8140's 4,860 — a 1.7% lead for the FX-8140. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3550 vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8140.

Feature	Core i5-3550	FX-8140
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+3100%	8 MB
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,778	4,860+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8140 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550	FX-8140
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550 was priced at $194, while the FX-8140 came in at $225. On launch pricing ($194 vs $225), Core i5-3550 was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 21.6 pts/$ for the FX-8140 — making the Core i5-3550 the 13.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550	FX-8140
MSRP	$194-14%	$225
Performance per Dollar	24.6+14%	21.6
Release Date	2012	2012

Search Core i5-3550 on Amazon

Search FX-8140 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.