Core i7-2860QM vs FX-6350
Core i7-2860QM
FX-6350
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-2860QM is positioned at rank 68 and the FX-6350 is on rank 541, so the Core i7-2860QM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2860QM
Performance Per Dollar FX-6350
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2860QM | FX-6350 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2860QM | FX-6350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2860QM and FX-6350
Core i7-2860QM
The Core i7-2860QM 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. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,597 points. Launch price was $568.
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 i7-2860QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-6350 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-2860QM versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the FX-6350 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i7-2860QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2860QM scores 4,597 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 0.9% lead for the FX-6350.
| Feature | Core i7-2860QM | FX-6350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 6+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.9 GHz+56% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 6144 kB+2300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 4,597 | 4,640 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2860QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-2860QM | FX-6350 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-2860QM) / not specified (FX-6350). The Core i7-2860QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the FX-6350 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2860QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Core i7-2860QM | FX-6350 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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