AMD FX-8350 vs Intel Core i5-7440HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7440HQ and AMD FX-8350 represent two very different design philosophies from different eras of computing. The data shows a mobile, power-efficient quad-core from 2017 going head-to-head with an eight-core desktop behemoth from 2012. While the FX-8350 holds a slight edge in aggregate benchmark scores, the head-to-head results reveal a stark contrast in per-core performance and architectural efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only overlapping benchmark between these two processors is Geekbench, which shows a decisive victory for the Intel chip in both tests. In the Geekbench multicore test, the Intel Core i5-7440HQ scores 3043 points against the AMD FX-8350's 2551 points. This represents a 19.3% lead for the Intel processor, a substantial margin given that the AMD part has twice as many physical cores and threads.

The single-core results are even more lopsided. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ achieves a Geekbench single-core score of 1184, while the AMD FX-8350 manages only 563 points. The delta here is a massive 110.3% — meaning the Intel chip is more than twice as fast per core as the AMD processor. This is a critical number because single-core performance underpins everyday responsiveness, legacy application support, and the majority of gaming workloads.

Looking at the aggregate average benchmark scores, the AMD FX-8350 does hold a nominal advantage. Its average benchmark score of 1557 places it in the 39th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i5-7440HQ averages 1527 points, sitting in the 38th percentile. However, this overall average is heavily influenced by the fact that the two CPUs share only one benchmark suite. The FX-8350's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (1557, deltaPct 0), the Intel Core i3-1115G4E (1559, deltaPct -0.1), and the AMD Opteron 6276 (1560, deltaPct -0.2). The Core i5-7440HQ's closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-4670S (1526, deltaPct 0), the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E (1524, deltaPct 0.2), and the Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 (1537, deltaPct -0.7).

The Intel chip's nearest rivals are all within a 0.9% window, indicating a tightly packed performance cluster. The AMD's rivals are similarly close, with the largest delta being only 0.2%. The data suggests that while the FX-8350 lands in a slightly higher performance tier by aggregate score, the gap between the two tiers is a rounding error. The real story is the head-to-head Geekbench results, where the Intel part wins both tests, including the multicore test despite having half the cores.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture for different use cases. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ is the superior choice for any workload that prioritizes single-threaded performance. Its 110.3% advantage in Geekbench single-core over the FX-8350 means applications that rely on strong per-core performance — older software, most games, and general productivity tasks — will run noticeably smoother on the Intel part. Even in the multicore test, the Intel chip wins by 19.3%, which is counterintuitive given the AMD's 8 cores versus Intel's 4. This demonstrates that the Intel architecture extracts far more useful work from each core.

The AMD FX-8350, with its 39th percentile ranking versus Intel's 38th, has a negligible aggregate score advantage of 30 points. This does not translate into a compelling recommendation for the AMD part in any scenario where the Intel chip is available. The FX-8350 does offer more cores and threads, but the Geekbench results show those extra resources do not convert into superior performance in the shared test.

For a mobile user, the Intel Core i5-7440HQ is the only sensible choice. Its 45W TDP makes it suitable for laptops, while the FX-8350's 125W TDP is a desktop-only proposition. For desktop builders who already own an AM3+ motherboard and are considering a drop-in upgrade, the FX-8350 could be a reasonable stopgap, but the data shows its per-core performance is severely outdated. The verdict from the benchmarks is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-7440HQ delivers better performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Geekbench tests, making it the stronger processor overall.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is generational. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ is built on Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, fabricated on a 14 nm process by Intel. The AMD FX-8350 uses the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Vishera, built on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This process node difference is significant — the Intel chip's 14 nm process is more than two generations ahead of the 32 nm node used by AMD.

The transistor counts reflect this manufacturing difference. The AMD FX-8350 packs 1,200 million transistors into a 315 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ has a much smaller 126 mm² die, and while its transistor count is not listed, the smaller die on a more advanced process node indicates a more dense and efficient design.

Cache configurations also diverge sharply. The Intel chip features a per-core cache hierarchy of 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The AMD FX-8350 has a total of 384 KB L1 cache, 8 MB L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has more total cache, but the Intel design's larger per-core L1 cache (64 KB per core versus roughly 48 KB per core for the AMD) suggests a higher priority on feeding individual cores quickly.

Memory support differs as well. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD FX-8350 is limited to DDR3 only, also in dual-channel, with a listed memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Intel chip's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data, but its support for the newer DDR4 standard gives it access to higher-density and potentially faster memory modules.

The integrated graphics situation is another major differentiator. The Intel chip includes Intel HD Graphics 630, meaning it has a fully functional iGPU on the processor die. The AMD FX-8350 does not have integrated graphics; the data notes that graphics depend on the motherboard chipset, meaning a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors show fundamental differences across nearly every field. The most obvious divergence is in core count: the Intel Core i5-7440HQ has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD FX-8350 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD part doubles the Intel chip in both categories.

Clock speeds also favor the AMD part on paper. The FX-8350 has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ runs at a 2.80 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.80 GHz. Despite the AMD's higher clock speeds, the Intel chip wins the single-core benchmark by over 110%, proving that architectural efficiency trumps raw clock rate.

Thermal design power is a stark contrast. The Intel chip has a TDP of 45W, typical for a mobile processor. The AMD FX-8350 has a TDP of 125W, nearly three times higher. This makes the Intel part suitable for thin laptops, while the AMD part requires robust desktop cooling.

Socket and platform differences are absolute. The Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1440, a ball-grid array socket that is soldered to the motherboard, making it a non-upgradeable mobile platform. The AMD FX-8350 uses AMD Socket AM3+, a traditional desktop socket that allows for processor replacement. The Intel chip's PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part is limited to PCIe Gen 2.

The Intel Core i5-7440HQ has a locked multiplier, while the AMD FX-8350 has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. The AMD part's part number (FD8350FRW8KHKFD8350FRHKBOX) suggests a retail boxed product, while the Intel chip's part number (SR32R) is a typical OEM designation. The Intel chip was released on 2017-01-02, and the AMD part on 2012-10-22. Both are end-of-life products.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Geekbench score?

A: The Intel Core i5-7440HQ scores 1184 in Geekbench single-core, while the AMD FX-8350 scores 563. The Intel chip leads by 110.3%.

Q: Does the AMD FX-8350 beat the Intel Core i5-7440HQ in any benchmark?

A: In the shared Geekbench multicore test, the Intel chip wins with 3043 points versus the AMD's 2551 points. The AMD FX-8350 has a higher average benchmark score (1557 versus 1527), but it does not win any head-to-head benchmark.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-7440HQ has a TDP of 45W, while the AMD FX-8350 has a TDP of 125W. The AMD processor consumes nearly three times the power of the Intel chip.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i5-7440HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD FX-8350 supports DDR3 only, also in dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Can the AMD FX-8350 be overclocked?

A: Yes, the AMD FX-8350 has an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-7440HQ includes Intel HD Graphics 630. The AMD FX-8350 does not have integrated graphics; display output depends on the motherboard chipset, requiring a discrete GPU.