Core i7-3940XM vs FX-8350
Core i7-3940XM
FX-8350
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 i7-3940XM is positioned at rank 936 and the FX-8350 is on rank 598, so the FX-8350 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3940XM
Performance Per Dollar FX-8350
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3940XM | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($130) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3940XM | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($130) |
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 i7-3940XM and FX-8350
Core i7-3940XM
The Core i7-3940XM 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,957 points. Launch price was $1,096.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3940XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8350 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8350 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3940XM versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-8350 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the FX-8350 (base: 3 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-3940XM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3940XM scores 5,957 against the FX-8350's 5,936 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3940XM.
| Feature | Core i7-3940XM | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.2 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 4 GHz+33% |
| 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 | 5,957 | 5,936 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 720 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3940XM 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 i7-3940XM | 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 | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3940XM) / not specified (FX-8350). The Core i7-3940XM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-8350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3940XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3940XM rivals A10-5750M.
| Feature | Core i7-3940XM | FX-8350 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Extreme Performance Laptop | — |
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