Core i7-3612QM vs FX-6350

CPU

GPU

Core i7-3612QM

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Popular choices:

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FX-6350

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2013

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3612QM

4 / 8

4,661

+0.5%

4,640

0.0%

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 i7-3612QM

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6350 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.3 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $246 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 185.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 4,661).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3612QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-3612QM

2012

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while FX-6350 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $246 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 185.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6350 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.3 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 4,661).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3612QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6350 better than Core i7-3612QM?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, FX-6350 is ahead with a 14.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3612QM pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3612QM is the better fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-6350 is the smarter buy today. FX-6350 is $246 cheaper on MSRP at $132 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it gives you a 14.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-3612QM is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 185.1% better value on MSRP (35.2 vs 12.3 PassMark/$), 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 2012). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 i7-3612QM Benchmark Check

FX-6350 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-3612QM	FX-6350
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	108 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	90 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	65 FPS
medium	60 FPS	58 FPS
high	47 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i7-3612QM Open FX-6350

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-3612QM	FX-6350
1080p
low	105 FPS	116 FPS
medium	92 FPS	116 FPS
high	87 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	91 FPS	116 FPS
medium	80 FPS	116 FPS
high	76 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	61 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	72 FPS	116 FPS
medium	66 FPS	116 FPS
high	53 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	40 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-3612QM Open FX-6350

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-3612QM	FX-6350
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-3612QM Open FX-6350

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-3612QM	FX-6350
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i7-3612QM Open FX-6350

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3612QM and FX-6350

Core i7-3612QM

The Core i7-3612QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,661 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3612QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-6350 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QM versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 30.1% clock advantage for the FX-6350 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i7-3612QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3612QM scores 4,661 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-3612QM.

Feature	Core i7-3612QM	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+35%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.9 GHz+86%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,661	4,640
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3612QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3612QM	FX-6350
Socket	FCBGA1224	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3612QM) / not specified (FX-6350). The Core i7-3612QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-6350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3612QM targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3612QM rivals AMD A10-5750M.

Feature	Core i7-3612QM	FX-6350
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-3612QM launched at $378 MSRP, while the FX-6350 debuted at $132. On MSRP ($378 vs $132), the FX-6350 is $246 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3612QM delivers 12.3 pts/$ vs 35.2 pts/$ for the FX-6350 — making the FX-6350 the 96.1% better value option.