Core i5-7500 vs FX-9370

Core i5-7500 vs FX-9370 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-7500

4 / 4

6,362

0.0%

6,374

+0.2%

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

FX-8320E

Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

Ryzen 9 5900XT

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

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 i5-7500 vs FX-9370 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 i5-7500 vs FX-9370: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7500

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 220W, a 155W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while FX-9370 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,362 vs 6,374).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.0 vs 151.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).

FX-9370

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $157 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 374.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 151.8 vs 32.0 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌238.5% higher power demand at 220W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-9370 better than Core i5-7500?

Yes. FX-9370 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 30.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-9370 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.3% 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-9370 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-9370 is the better buy right now. FX-9370 comes in $157 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 374.7% better value on MSRP (151.8 vs 32.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7500 vs FX-9370 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7500

The Core i5-7500 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. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,362 points. Launch price was $202.

FX-9370

The FX-9370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,374 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-7500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-9370 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-9370 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7500 versus 4.7 GHz on the FX-9370 — a 21.2% clock advantage for the FX-9370 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i5-7500 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-9370 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7500 scores 6,362 against the FX-9370's 6,374 — a 0.2% lead for the FX-9370.

Feature	Core i5-7500	FX-9370
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.7 GHz+24%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	4.4 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	6,362	6,374

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-9370 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7500	FX-9370
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7500) / not specified (FX-9370). The Core i5-7500 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the FX-9370 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7500 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-7500	FX-9370
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7500 was priced at $199, while the FX-9370 came in at $42. On launch pricing ($199 vs $42), FX-9370 was $157 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7500 delivers 32.0 pts/$ vs 151.8 pts/$ for the FX-9370 — making the FX-9370 the 130.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7500	FX-9370
MSRP	$199	$42-79%
Performance per Dollar	32.0	151.8+374%
Release Date	2017	2013

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