Core i5-6402P vs FX-8300

Intel

Core i5-6402P

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

FX-8300

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i5-6402P vs FX-8300 Performance Spectrum

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 i5-6402P vs FX-8300 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 i5-6402P vs FX-8300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6402P

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $15 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $197 MSRP).
  • Delivers 8.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.4 vs 27.1 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $197 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

FX-8300

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +26.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,333 vs 5,343).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.1 vs 29.4 PassMark/$ ($197 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • 46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6402P better than FX-8300?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8300 is ahead with a 26.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6402P pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6402P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-6402P is the better buy right now. Core i5-6402P comes in $15 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $197 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-8300 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 26.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 8.4% better value on MSRP (29.4 vs 27.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-6402P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6402P vs FX-8300 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-6402P

The Core i5-6402P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,343 points. Launch price was $187.

AMD

FX-8300

The FX-8300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,333 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-6402P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8300 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-6402P versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-8300 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the FX-8300 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-6402P uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8300 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6402P scores 5,343 against the FX-8300's 5,333 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6402P.

FeatureCore i5-6402PFX-8300
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.3 GHz+18%
L3 Cache
6 MB
L2 Cache
1 MB
8192 kB+700%
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015−2016)
Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark
5,343
5,333
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6402P uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8300 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-6402PFX-8300
Socket
LGA1151
AM3+
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6402P was priced at $182, while the FX-8300 came in at $197. On launch pricing ($182 vs $197), Core i5-6402P was $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6402P delivers 29.4 pts/$ vs 27.1 pts/$ for the FX-8300 — making the Core i5-6402P the 8.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-6402PFX-8300
MSRP
$182-8%
$197
Performance per Dollar
29.4+8%
27.1
Release Date
2015
2012

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