Apache 2.4: mod_php vs php-fpm performance
Solution 1:
I'm working for a hosting/cloud company and we routinely use Apache 2.2 + mod_fastcgi + php-fpm (socket listen).
It uses a little more memory and CPU, but it's much more faster than mod_cgi/mod_php/mod_suphp.
If you can choose, go with mod_proxy_fcgi + php-fpm (2.4) or mod_fastcgi + php-fpm