Core i5-7360U vs FX-6120

Core i5-7360U vs FX-6120 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7360U

2 / 4

3,823

0.0%

3,853

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i5-7360U vs FX-6120 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 i5-7360U vs FX-6120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7360U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, while FX-6120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6120 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,823 vs 3,853).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while Core i5-7360U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7360U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6120 better than Core i5-7360U?

Yes. FX-6120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-6120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-6120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

FX-6120 is the better buy right now. FX-6120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $188 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7360U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7360U vs FX-6120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7360U

The Core i5-7360U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,823 points. Launch price was $304.

FX-6120

The FX-6120 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 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,853 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7360U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6120 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-7360U versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the FX-6120 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-7360U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-6120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7360U scores 3,823 against the FX-6120's 3,853 — a 0.8% lead for the FX-6120. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-7360U vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120.

Feature	Core i5-7360U	FX-6120
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	6 MB+1100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,823	3,853
Geekbench 6 Single	1,112	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,096	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7360U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7360U	FX-6120
Socket	BGA1356	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7360U) / not specified (FX-6120). The Core i5-7360U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640), while the FX-6120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7360U targets Ultrabook.