Core i5-6260U vs FX-4350
Core i5-6260U
FX-4350
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-6260U is positioned at rank 406 and the FX-4350 is on rank 660, so the Core i5-6260U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6260U
Performance Per Dollar FX-4350
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6260U | FX-4350 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6260U | FX-4350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6260U and FX-4350
Core i5-6260U
The Core i5-6260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.
FX-4350
The FX-4350 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,184 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4350 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4350 — a 38.9% clock advantage for the FX-4350 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i5-6260U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-4350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6260U scores 3,200 against the FX-4350's 3,184 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-6260U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 979 vs 504, a 64.1% lead for the Core i5-6260U that directly translates to higher frame rates.
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | FX-4350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 4.3 GHz+48% |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | 4.2 GHz+133% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 4096 kB+700% |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 3,200 | 3,184 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 979+94% | 504 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,289 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-6260U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-4350 — the Core i5-6260U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-6260U) vs 16 (FX-4350) — the FX-4350 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U) and AMD 970,990X,990FX (FX-4350).
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | FX-4350 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 16+33% |
Advanced Features
Only the FX-4350 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U) vs AMD-V (FX-4350). The Core i5-6260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 540), while the FX-4350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop, FX-4350 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | FX-4350 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Iris Graphics 540 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Gaming |
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