CPU
GPU
FX-6300
Core i3-8140U
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-6300 is positioned at rank 579 and the Core i3-8140U is on rank 530, so the Core i3-8140U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-6300
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8140U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-6300 | Core i3-8140U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-6300 | Core i3-8140U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) | ✅ 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-6300 and Core i3-8140U
FX-6300
The FX-6300 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 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,137 points. Launch price was $132.
Core i3-8140U
The Core i3-8140U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2019 (6 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 4,227 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The FX-6300 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i3-8140U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-6300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the FX-6300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8140U — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-8140U (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The FX-6300 is built on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the FX-6300 scores 4,137 against the Core i3-8140U's 4,227 — a 2.2% lead for the Core i3-8140U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 534 vs 1,225, a 78.6% lead for the Core i3-8140U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-6300 vs 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-8140U.
| Feature | FX-6300 | Core i3-8140U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+200% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.9 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+67% | 2.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB+100% | 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 6144 kB | — |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | — |
| PassMark | 4,137 | 4,227+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 534 | 1,225+129% |
Memory & Platform
The FX-6300 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-8140U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the FX-6300 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8140U — the Core i3-8140U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-8140U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (FX-6300) vs 16 (Core i3-8140U) — the Core i3-8140U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | FX-6300 | Core i3-8140U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | FCBGA1528 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the FX-6300 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (FX-6300) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8140U). The Core i3-8140U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the FX-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8140U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8140U rivals Ryzen 3 3300U.
| Feature | FX-6300 | Core i3-8140U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 620 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Mainstream Laptop |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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