Core i7-3840QM vs FX-8350

Core i7-3840QM vs FX-8350 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3840QM

4 / 8

5,871

0.0%

5,936

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

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 i7-3840QM vs FX-8350 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 i7-3840QM vs FX-8350: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3840QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while FX-8350 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,871 vs 5,936).

FX-8350

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i7-3840QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3840QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8350 better than Core i7-3840QM?

Yes. FX-8350 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8350 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.0% 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-8350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-8350 is the better buy right now. FX-8350 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-8350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3840QM vs FX-8350 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3840QM

The Core i7-3840QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,871 points. Launch price was $568.

FX-8350

The FX-8350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,936 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3840QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8350 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8350 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3840QM versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-8350 — a 10% clock advantage for the FX-8350 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-3840QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3840QM scores 5,871 against the FX-8350's 5,936 — a 1.1% lead for the FX-8350.

Feature	Core i7-3840QM	FX-8350
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.2 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	4 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	5,871	5,936+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	676	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3840QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3840QM	FX-8350
Socket	PGA988	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3840QM) / not specified (FX-8350). The Core i7-3840QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-8350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3840QM targets Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-3840QM rivals A10-5750M.