CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1115G4E and AMD FX-8350 occupy the same performance tier in the aggregate database, with average benchmark scores of 1559 and 1557, respectively. This near-parity, a 0.1% delta in favor of the Intel part, masks a fundamental split in workload behavior: the mobile 2-core Tiger Lake chip decisively wins both available head-to-head comparisons, while the desktop 8-core Piledriver processor offers a vastly different architectural approach. The data indicates that the i3-1115G4E is the superior choice for single-threaded and lightly-threaded tasks, while the FX-8350's relevance is confined to scenarios where its eight physical cores can be fully utilized, though its benchmark results do not support a win in any measured test.

The Verdict

For any user prioritizing modern single-thread performance, the Intel Core i3-1115G4E is the clear selection. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1702 is 202.3% higher than the FX-8350's 563, a staggering margin that reflects the generational gap between Tiger Lake's 10 nm architecture and Piledriver's 32 nm design. The i3-1115G4E also wins the multi-core Geekbench test, scoring 2972 against the FX-8350's 2551, a 16.5% advantage despite having only 2 cores and 4 threads versus 8 cores and 8 threads.

The AMD FX-8350, however, is not without a profile. Its 8 MB of L2 cache and 8 MB of shared L3 cache, combined with a 4.00 GHz base clock, suggest it was designed for throughput-oriented workloads that scale with core count. Yet, the benchmark data does not provide a single test where the FX-8350 outperforms the i3-1115G4E. The Intel chip wins both head-to-head tests, leaving the FX-8350 with 0 wins. Therefore, the verdict is straightforward: the i3-1115G4E is the better processor in every measured metric, and the FX-8350 should only be considered for legacy platform upgrades where its socket and DDR3 memory support are already in place.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark wins are entirely one-sided, but the nature of the wins reveals distinct strengths. The i3-1115G4E wins on the Geekbench multi-core test with a 16.5% margin, a result that is remarkable given its 15 W TDP and 2-core configuration. This victory is likely driven by the much higher single-thread efficiency of the Willow Cove cores, which allows the chip to outperform an 8-core processor in a multi-threaded test. The i3-1115G4E's single-core win is even more pronounced, with a 202.3% lead, indicating that it is the definitive choice for applications like web browsing, office productivity, and legacy software that rely on one or two threads.

For the FX-8350, there are no benchmark wins to highlight. Instead, its "win" is contextual: it offers 8 threads, 8 MB of L2 cache, and a 4.20 GHz boost clock, which could theoretically benefit heavily parallel workloads that are not represented in the head-to-head data. The FX-8350 also features an unlocked multiplier, allowing for manual overclocking, and supports up to 29.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth on DDR3. These specifications suggest that in a scenario where software is perfectly threaded and memory bandwidth is not a bottleneck, the FX-8350 might close the gap, but the available data does not confirm this.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by more than just a generation. The Intel Core i3-1115G4E is built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 144 mm², while the AMD FX-8350 uses GlobalFoundries' 32 nm process with a die size of 315 mm² and 1,200 million transistors. The Intel chip features 2 cores and 4 threads with 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, plus 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The FX-8350 offers 8 cores and 8 threads with 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Piledriver architecture relies on a higher clock speed (4.00 GHz base, 4.20 GHz boost) to compensate for its older design, while Tiger Lake uses a lower clock (2.20 GHz base, 3.90 GHz boost) but achieves higher instructions per clock.

Memory support is another major divergence. The i3-1115G4E supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X in a dual-channel configuration, while the FX-8350 is limited to DDR3 with a stated 29.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel chip also integrates UHD Graphics G4 48EU, whereas the FX-8350 relies on a chipset feature for graphics on certain motherboards. Connectivity differs as well: the i3-1115G4E provides PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU, while the FX-8350 is limited to PCIe Gen 2. The Intel part is a mobile BGA 1449 socket chip with a 15 W TDP, while the FX-8350 is a desktop AM3+ socket chip with a 125 W TDP. Finally, the i3-1115G4E is still in active production, whereas the FX-8350 is end-of-life.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i3-1115G4E has a Geekbench single-core score of 1702, which is 202.3% higher than the AMD FX-8350's score of 563.

Q: Does the AMD FX-8350 win any benchmark test?

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-1115G4E wins both the Geekbench multi-core and single-core tests, leaving the FX-8350 with 0 wins.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD FX-8350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1115G4E has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel chip scores higher in the multi-core benchmark.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-1115G4E has a TDP of 15 W, while the AMD FX-8350 has a TDP of 125 W. This makes the Intel chip significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Are there any cache size differences?

A: Yes. The AMD FX-8350 has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i3-1115G4E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-1115G4E supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the AMD FX-8350 only supports DDR3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is limited to two Geekbench tests, but the results are decisive. In the Geekbench multi-core test, the Intel Core i3-1115G4E scores 2972, while the AMD FX-8350 scores 2551. This is a 16.5% victory for the Intel chip. The significance of this result cannot be overstated: a 2-core, 4-thread mobile processor with a 15 W TDP is outperforming an 8-core, 8-thread desktop processor with a 125 W TDP by a substantial margin. This indicates that the Tiger Lake cores are vastly more efficient than the Piledriver cores, and that the FX-8350's additional cores do not compensate for its lower per-core performance.

The Geekbench single-core test shows an even larger gap. The i3-1115G4E scores 1702, compared to the FX-8350's 563, a delta of 202.3%. This is a three-fold improvement in single-thread performance, which is the most important metric for everyday computing tasks. The 2.20 GHz base clock of the Intel chip is lower than the FX-8350's 4.00 GHz base clock, yet the Intel chip still delivers far superior single-core results. This highlights the architectural advantage of Willow Cove over Piledriver, where the newer design achieves much higher instructions per clock.

In aggregate, the i3-1115G4E has an average benchmark score of 1559, which places it at the 39th percentile of all CPUs. The FX-8350 has an average score of 1557, also at the 39th percentile. Their nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6276 (1560, -0.1% delta), the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (1557, 0.1% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (1562, -0.2% delta). This clustering shows that both processors are tightly grouped in overall performance, but the head-to-head results reveal that the Intel chip achieves this parity with a fraction of the power and physical resources. The data suggests that the i3-1115G4E is the more modern and capable part, while the FX-8350 is a dated design that has been surpassed in every measurable benchmark.