Core i7-2840QM vs FX-6120

Core i7-2840QM vs FX-6120 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-2840QM

4 / 8

3,842

0.0%

3,853

+0.3%

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 i7-2840QM 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 i7-2840QM 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 i7-2840QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,842 vs 3,853).

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2840QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while Core i7-2840QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6120 better than Core i7-2840QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2840QM is ahead with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, FX-6120 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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 $188 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2840QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-6120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-2840QM vs FX-6120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-2840QM

The Core i7-2840QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 3,842 points. Launch price was $69.

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 i7-2840QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-6120 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-2840QM versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the FX-6120. The Core i7-2840QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-6120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2840QM scores 3,842 against the FX-6120's 3,853 — a 0.3% lead for the FX-6120. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-2840QM vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120.

Feature	Core i7-2840QM	FX-6120
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+75%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	6 MB+500%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,842	3,853