FX-7600P vs Core i5-3230M

FX-7600P

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2014

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

FX-7600P

4 / 4

2,557

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

+0.3%

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-7600P is positioned at rank 939 and the Core i5-3230M is on rank 30, so the Core i5-3230M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar FX-7600P

#927

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1721%

#928

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1696%

#929

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1557%

#930

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1550%

#931

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1535%

#933

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1483%

#934

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1422%

#935

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1419%

#936

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1381%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

100%

#940

Athlon II M300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

100%

#944

Athlon Neo X2 L335

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

98%

#945

Core i7-3610QE

MSRP: $315|Avg: $105

97%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

96%

#950

FX-9800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

96%

#951

Celeron 1020E

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

96%

#954

Core i7-5850EQ

MSRP: $435|Avg: $370

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The FX-7600P leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3230M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	FX-7600P	Core i5-3230M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)	✅ More affordable ($13)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Kaveri (2014−2015) / 28 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3230M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 71% cheaper ($13 vs $45) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	FX-7600P	Core i5-3230M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+247%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)	✅ More affordable ($13)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

FX-7600P Benchmark Check

Core i5-3230M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of FX-7600P and Core i5-3230M

FX-7600P

The FX-7600P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 June 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,557 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The FX-7600P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3230M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-7600P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the FX-7600P versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M — a 11.8% clock advantage for the FX-7600P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The FX-7600P uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-3230M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-7600P scores 2,557 against the Core i5-3230M's 2,565 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-3230M.

Feature	FX-7600P	Core i5-3230M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,557	2,565
Geekbench 6 Single	—	565
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,128

🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-7600P uses the FP3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3230M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-7600P	Core i5-3230M
Socket	FP3	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FX-7600P) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-7600P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.

Feature	FX-7600P	Core i5-3230M
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

The FX-7600P launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core i5-3230M debuted at $225. At current prices ($45 vs $13), the Core i5-3230M is $32 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-7600P delivers 56.8 pts/$ vs 197.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-3230M — making the Core i5-3230M the 110.6% better value option.