Core i5-6300HQ vs FX-6350

Core i5-6300HQ vs FX-6350 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-6300HQ

4 / 4

4,672

+0.7%

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 i5-6300HQ 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 i5-6300HQ 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 i5-6300HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 4,672).
❌Launch MSRP is still $132 MSRP, while Core i5-6300HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6300HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6300HQ better than FX-6350?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-6350 is ahead with a 13.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6300HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-6300HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. FX-6350 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (35.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i5-6300HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6300HQ vs FX-6350 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6300HQ

The Core i5-6300HQ 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,672 points. Launch price was $250.

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 i5-6300HQ 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 i5-6300HQ versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 27% clock advantage for the FX-6350 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-6300HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6300HQ scores 4,672 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-6300HQ.

Feature	Core i5-6300HQ	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+31%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.9 GHz+70%
L3 Cache	6 MB	—
L2 Cache	1 MB	6144 kB+500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,672	4,640
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6300HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6300HQ	FX-6350
Socket	BGA1440	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300HQ) / not specified (FX-6350). The Core i5-6300HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the FX-6350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300HQ targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300HQ rivals A12-9730P.