Core i5-4430 vs FX-6350

Core i5-4430 vs FX-6350 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4430

4 / 4

4,653

+0.3%

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 i5-4430 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 i5-4430 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 i5-4430

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 84W instead of 125W, a 41W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-6350.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.6 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 25.6 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 4,653).
❌48.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 84W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4430 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4430.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4430 better than FX-6350?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-6350 is ahead with a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4430 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4430 comes in 37.9% more expensive on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. FX-6350 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 37.5% better value on paper (35.2 vs 25.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

FX-6350 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-4430 vs FX-6350 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4430

The Core i5-4430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,653 points. Launch price was $182.

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 i5-4430 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6350 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4430 versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 27% clock advantage for the FX-6350 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-4430 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4430 scores 4,653 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-4430.

Feature	Core i5-4430	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+31%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.9 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,653	4,640
Geekbench 6 Single	1,015	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4430 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4430	FX-6350
Socket	LGA1150	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 i5-4430) / not specified (FX-6350). The Core i5-4430 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the FX-6350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4430 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4430 rivals FX-6300.

Feature	Core i5-4430	FX-6350
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4430 was priced at $182, while the FX-6350 came in at $132. On launch pricing ($182 vs $132), FX-6350 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4430 delivers 25.6 pts/$ vs 35.2 pts/$ for the FX-6350 — making the FX-6350 the 31.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4430	FX-6350
MSRP	$182	$132-27%
Performance per Dollar	25.6	35.2+38%
Release Date	2013	2013

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