Core i5-3570 vs FX-8140

Core i5-3570 vs FX-8140 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3570

4 / 4

4,932

+1.5%

4,860

0.0%

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 i5-3570 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 i5-3570 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 i5-3570

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.4 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8140 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-8140

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.9% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,860 vs 4,932).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 25.4 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3570 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3570.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3570 better than FX-8140?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8140 is ahead with a 16.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3570 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. FX-8140 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3570 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3570 is the better buy right now. Core i5-3570 comes in $31 cheaper on MSRP at $194 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-8140 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.7% better value on MSRP (25.4 vs 21.6 PassMark/$), 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-8140 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-3570 vs FX-8140 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3570

The Core i5-3570 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,932 points. Launch price was $231.

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 i5-3570 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8140 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8140 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-3570 versus 4.1 GHz on the FX-8140 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the FX-8140 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-3570 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8140 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3570 scores 4,932 against the FX-8140's 4,860 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-3570. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3570 vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8140.

Feature	Core i5-3570	FX-8140
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	8 MB+3100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,932+1%	4,860
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,780	—
Geekbench 6 Single	741	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,246	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3570 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 i5-3570	FX-8140
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 (Core i5-3570) / not specified (FX-8140). The Core i5-3570 includes integrated graphics (HD 2500), while the FX-8140 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3570 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3570 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i5-3570	FX-8140
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD 2500	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3570 was priced at $194, while the FX-8140 came in at $225. On launch pricing ($194 vs $225), Core i5-3570 was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3570 delivers 25.4 pts/$ vs 21.6 pts/$ for the FX-8140 — making the Core i5-3570 the 16.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3570	FX-8140
MSRP	$194-14%	$225
Performance per Dollar	25.4+18%	21.6
Release Date	2012	2012

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