Core i7-12700K vs FX-6350

CPU

GPU

Core i7-12700K

12 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Popular choices:

•••••••••

FX-6350

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2013

Popular choices:

••i7-12700K•••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-12700K

12 / 20

34,347

+640.2%

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +166.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 138.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM3+ and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
209.8% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$132 MSRP

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $277 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 34,347).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.2 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM3+, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-12700K

2021

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +166.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 138.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.0 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM3+ and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Costs $277 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌
209.8% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$132 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 34,347).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.2 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM3+, while Core i7-12700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-12700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-12700K better than FX-6350?

Yes. Core i7-12700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 166.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 640.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-12700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 166.9% 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, Core i7-12700K is the better fit. You are getting 640.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-12700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-12700K is 209.8% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it gives you a 166.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 138.9% better value on MSRP (84.0 vs 35.2 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-12700K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM3+, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/6. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-12700K Benchmark Check

FX-6350 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	FX-6350
1080p
low	314 FPS	116 FPS
medium	295 FPS	116 FPS
high	246 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	116 FPS
medium	225 FPS	116 FPS
high	182 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	65 FPS
medium	142 FPS	58 FPS
high	109 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open FX-6350

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	FX-6350
1080p
low	630 FPS	116 FPS
medium	533 FPS	116 FPS
high	450 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	116 FPS
medium	475 FPS	116 FPS
high	403 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	116 FPS
medium	280 FPS	116 FPS
high	266 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open FX-6350

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	FX-6350
1080p
low	797 FPS	116 FPS
medium	633 FPS	116 FPS
high	556 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	116 FPS
medium	565 FPS	116 FPS
high	490 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	116 FPS
medium	425 FPS	116 FPS
high	381 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open FX-6350

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	FX-6350
1080p
low	859 FPS	116 FPS
medium	802 FPS	116 FPS
high	699 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	116 FPS
medium	678 FPS	116 FPS
high	590 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	116 FPS
medium	488 FPS	116 FPS
high	437 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open FX-6350

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and FX-6350

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the FX-6350 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 152.4% lead for the Core i7-12700K.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	12 / 20+100%	6 / 6
Boost Clock	5 GHz+19%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	6144 kB+380%
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	34,347+640%	4,640

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	FX-6350
Socket	LGA1700	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) / not specified (FX-6350). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the FX-6350 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	FX-6350
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the FX-6350 debuted at $132. On MSRP ($409 vs $132), the FX-6350 is $277 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 35.2 pts/$ for the FX-6350 — making the Core i7-12700K the 82% better value option.