Core i7-3940XM vs FX-8350

Core i7-3940XM vs FX-8350 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3940XM

4 / 8

5,957

+0.4%

5,936

0.0%

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 i7-3940XM 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 i7-3940XM 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 i7-3940XM

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W 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.

FX-8350

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,936 vs 5,957).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i7-3940XM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3940XM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3940XM better than FX-8350?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8350 is ahead with a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3940XM pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3940XM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-3940XM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-3940XM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. FX-8350 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (29.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

FX-8350 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i7-3940XM vs FX-8350 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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.