Core i5-7440HQ vs FX-8320

CPU

GPU

Core i5-7440HQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

Popular choices:

•••••••••

FX-8320

8 Cores8 Thrd125 WWMax: 4 GHz2012

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-7440HQ

4 / 4

5,490

+0.3%

5,472

0.0%

Athlon X4 830

Athlon X4 880K

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

FX-8140

Ryzen 7 5700

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

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 i5-7440HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+178.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while FX-8320 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8320.

FX-8320

2012

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-7440HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (458 vs 1,277).
❌Lower PassMark (5,472 vs 5,490).
❌Launch MSRP is still $169 MSRP, while Core i5-7440HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7440HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-7440HQ

2017

FX-8320

2012

Why buy it

✅+178.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while FX-8320 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-7440HQ.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8320.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (458 vs 1,277).
❌Lower PassMark (5,472 vs 5,490).
❌Launch MSRP is still $169 MSRP, while Core i5-7440HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7440HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7440HQ better than FX-8320?

Yes. Core i5-7440HQ is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-7440HQ is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.6% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7440HQ is the better fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7440HQ is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i5-7440HQ is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $169 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. FX-8320 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (32.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

Core i5-7440HQ is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. 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 i5-7440HQ Benchmark Check

FX-8320 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-7440HQ	FX-8320
1080p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	109 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	118 FPS	120 FPS
high	92 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	70 FPS	65 FPS
medium	60 FPS	58 FPS
high	47 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-7440HQ Open FX-8320

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-7440HQ	FX-8320
1080p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	137 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	135 FPS	137 FPS
high	109 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	120 FPS

Open Core i5-7440HQ Open FX-8320

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-7440HQ	FX-8320
1080p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	137 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	137 FPS

Open Core i5-7440HQ Open FX-8320

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-7440HQ	FX-8320
1080p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	137 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	137 FPS	137 FPS
medium	137 FPS	137 FPS
high	137 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	137 FPS

Open Core i5-7440HQ Open FX-8320

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-7440HQ and FX-8320

Core i5-7440HQ

The Core i5-7440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,490 points. Launch price was $250.

FX-8320

The FX-8320 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 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,472 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7440HQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8320 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8320 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7440HQ versus 4 GHz on the FX-8320 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the FX-8320 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-7440HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8320 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7440HQ scores 5,490 against the FX-8320's 5,472 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,277 vs 458, a 94.4% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	Core i5-7440HQ	FX-8320
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	5,490	5,472
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,277+179%	458
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,791

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7440HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8320 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7440HQ versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-8320 — the Core i5-7440HQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7440HQ 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM175,QM175 (Core i5-7440HQ) and 970,990X,990FX (FX-8320).

Feature	Core i5-7440HQ	FX-8320
Socket	BGA1440	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+33%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the FX-8320 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7440HQ) vs AMD-V (FX-8320). The Core i5-7440HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the FX-8320 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7440HQ targets High Performance Laptop, FX-8320 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-7440HQ rivals Ryzen 5 2500U; FX-8320 rivals Core i5-3570.

Feature	Core i5-7440HQ	FX-8320
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	High Performance Laptop	Productivity