Intel Core i3-530 vs AMD FX-6300
The AMD FX-6300 is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 13%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i3-530 | AMD FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 15/100 | 17/100 |
| Tier | F | F |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 2 | 6 |
| Threads | 4 | 6 |
| Base clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 2.9 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 73 W | 95 W |
| Release year | 2010 | 2012 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD FX-6300 is the better buy — it holds a 13% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD FX-6300 has more cores (6 vs 2), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i3-530 runs 22W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.