Core i5-7442EQ vs FX-8140

Core i5-7442EQ vs FX-8140 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7442EQ

4 / 4

4,834

0.0%

4,860

+0.5%

FX-4130

FX-7500

Athlon X4 845

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

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 i5-7442EQ vs FX-8140 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 i5-7442EQ vs FX-8140: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7442EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while FX-8140 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8140 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,834 vs 4,860).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

FX-8140

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $25 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.6 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7442EQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8140 better than Core i5-7442EQ?

Yes. FX-8140 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8140 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.5% 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-8140 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

FX-8140 is the better buy right now. FX-8140 comes in $25 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 11.7% better value on MSRP (21.6 vs 19.3 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ vs FX-8140 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7442EQ

The Core i5-7442EQ 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,834 points. Launch price was $250.

FX-8140

The FX-8140 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 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,860 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7442EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8140 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8140 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ versus 4.1 GHz on the FX-8140 — a 64.5% clock advantage for the FX-8140. The Core i5-7442EQ uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8140 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7442EQ scores 4,834 against the FX-8140's 4,860 — a 0.5% lead for the FX-8140. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8140.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	FX-8140
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	4.1 GHz+95%
Base Clock	—	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	8 MB+700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,834	4,860
Geekbench 6 Single	728	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,387	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ) / not specified (FX-8140). The Core i5-7442EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the FX-8140 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7442EQ targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	FX-8140
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7442EQ was priced at $250, while the FX-8140 came in at $225. On launch pricing ($250 vs $225), FX-8140 was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7442EQ delivers 19.3 pts/$ vs 21.6 pts/$ for the FX-8140 — making the FX-8140 the 11.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	FX-8140
MSRP	$250	$225-10%
Performance per Dollar	19.3	21.6+12%
Release Date	2017	2012

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