
FX-8140 vs Core i5-6500TE

FX-8140

Core i5-6500TE
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-8140 is positioned at rank 759 and the Core i5-6500TE is on rank 671, so the Core i5-6500TE offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-8140
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6500TE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-8140 | Core i5-6500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) | ✅ More affordable ($60) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-8140 | Core i5-6500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+102%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) | ✅ More affordable ($60) |
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-8140 and Core i5-6500TE

FX-8140
The FX-8140 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,860 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-6500TE
The Core i5-6500TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,917 points. Launch price was $192.
Processing Power
The FX-8140 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-6500TE offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-8140 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the FX-8140 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6500TE — a 21.6% clock advantage for the FX-8140 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The FX-8140 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-6500TE uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8140 scores 4,860 against the Core i5-6500TE's 4,917 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-6500TE. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the FX-8140 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6500TE.
| Feature | FX-8140 | Core i5-6500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+100% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+24% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+39% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 8 MB+3100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Zambezi (2011−2012) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,860 | 4,917+1% |
Memory & Platform
The FX-8140 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-6500TE uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | FX-8140 | Core i5-6500TE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Value Analysis
The FX-8140 launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-6500TE debuted at $192. At current prices ($120 vs $60), the Core i5-6500TE is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8140 delivers 40.5 pts/$ vs 82.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-6500TE — making the Core i5-6500TE the 67.7% better value option.
| Feature | FX-8140 | Core i5-6500TE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $192-15% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $120 | $60-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 40.5 | 82.0+102% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2015 |
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