Core i7-2600S vs FX-6350

CPU

GPU

Core i7-2600S

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2011

Popular choices:

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FX-6350

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2013

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2600S

4 / 8

4,637

0.0%

4,640

+0.1%

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-2600S

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-6350.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,637 vs 4,640).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($297 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $165 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).
✅Delivers 125.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2600S across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2600S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-2600S.

Core i7-2600S

2011

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-6350.

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $165 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).
✅Delivers 125.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,637 vs 4,640).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($297 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2600S across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2600S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-2600S.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6350 better than Core i7-2600S?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-2600S is ahead with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, FX-6350 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-6350 is the better fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

FX-6350 is the smarter buy today. FX-6350 is $165 cheaper on MSRP at $132 MSRP versus $297 MSRP, and it gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i7-2600S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 125.1% better value on MSRP (35.2 vs 15.6 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

FX-6350 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

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.

Core i7-2600S Benchmark Check

FX-6350 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-2600S	FX-6350
1080p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	110 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	115 FPS	116 FPS
high	91 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	73 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	63 FPS	65 FPS
medium	56 FPS	58 FPS
high	44 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i7-2600S Open FX-6350

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-2600S	FX-6350
1080p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	114 FPS	116 FPS
high	93 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-2600S Open FX-6350

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-2600S	FX-6350
1080p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-2600S Open FX-6350

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-2600S	FX-6350
1080p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	116 FPS	116 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-2600S Open FX-6350

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2600S and FX-6350

Core i7-2600S

The Core i7-2600S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,637 points. Launch price was $210.

FX-6350

The FX-6350 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 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,640 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2600S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-6350 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600S versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 10% clock advantage for the FX-6350 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i7-2600S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600S scores 4,637 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 0.1% lead for the FX-6350.

Feature	Core i7-2600S	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.2 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.9 GHz+39%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,637	4,640
Geekbench 6 Single	630	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2600S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2600S	FX-6350
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2600S) / not specified (FX-6350). The Core i7-2600S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the FX-6350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600S targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600S rivals Phenom II X4 910e.

Feature	Core i7-2600S	FX-6350
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-2600S launched at $297 MSRP, while the FX-6350 debuted at $132. On MSRP ($297 vs $132), the FX-6350 is $165 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600S delivers 15.6 pts/$ vs 35.2 pts/$ for the FX-6350 — making the FX-6350 the 77% better value option.