FX-4350 vs Core i5-6260U
FX-4350
Core i5-6260U
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 FX-4350 is positioned at rank 660 and the Core i5-6260U is on rank 406, so the Core i5-6260U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-4350
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6260U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-4350 | Core i5-6260U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-4350 | Core i5-6260U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 FX-4350 and Core i5-6260U
FX-4350
The FX-4350 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,184 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i5-6260U
The Core i5-6260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.
Processing Power
The FX-4350 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6260U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the FX-4350 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U — a 38.9% clock advantage for the FX-4350 (base: 4.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The FX-4350 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-6260U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-4350 scores 3,184 against the Core i5-6260U's 3,200 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-6260U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 504 vs 979, a 64.1% lead for the Core i5-6260U that directly translates to higher frame rates.
| Feature | FX-4350 | Core i5-6260U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+48% | 2.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.2 GHz+133% | 1.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 4096 kB+700% | 512 kB |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 3,184 | 3,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 504 | 979+94% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,289 | — |
Memory & Platform
The FX-4350 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-6260U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the FX-4350 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U — the Core i5-6260U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (FX-4350) vs 12 (Core i5-6260U) — the FX-4350 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 970,990X,990FX (FX-4350) and Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U).
| Feature | FX-4350 | Core i5-6260U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | BGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Only the FX-4350 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (FX-4350) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U). The Core i5-6260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 540), while the FX-4350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: FX-4350 targets Gaming, Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.
| Feature | FX-4350 | Core i5-6260U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Iris Graphics 540 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Gaming | Mainstream Laptop |
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