AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Core i3-8350K Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8350K and AMD Ryzen 7 1700X are two 2017-era desktop processors that take fundamentally different approaches to delivering performance. The i3-8350K is a quad-core, four-thread part built on Intel's Coffee Lake architecture, while the Ryzen 7 1700X is an eight-core, sixteen-thread processor using AMD's Zen architecture. Their aggregate benchmark scores are nearly identical — the i3-8350K averages 2096 across all tests, versus 2094 for the Ryzen 7 1700X — yet the two chips win in entirely different workloads. The data shows a classic split: the Intel part dominates lightly-threaded tasks, while the AMD chip crushes heavily-threaded workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate a clear division of labor based on thread count. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins three of the four head-to-head comparisons, with its largest margins coming in multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537 versus the i3-8350K's 593, a deficit of 61.4% for the Intel chip. The Ryzen 7 1700X also leads in Geekbench multi-core, posting 5584 against 4992 for the i3-8350K, a 10.6% advantage. Even in Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD part surprisingly wins, scoring 154 versus 83 — a 46.1% margin — which suggests the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz compensates for its lower 3.40 GHz base clock in this specific workload.

The Intel Core i3-8350K's only head-to-head victory comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1564 against 1100 for the Ryzen 7 1700X. That 42.2% advantage reflects the i3's higher 4.00 GHz base clock and the architectural strengths of Coffee Lake in lightly-threaded integer and floating-point operations. However, the i3-8350K does not appear in the Cinebench R20 or R23 result sets for the Ryzen 7 1700X, so the head-to-head comparison is limited to four tests. In terms of outright wins, the Ryzen 7 1700X takes three, while the i3-8350K takes one.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in core counts and thread support. The Intel Core i3-8350K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. That 4x thread advantage is the primary reason for the Ryzen's multi-core dominance. The i3-8350K runs at a fixed 4.00 GHz base clock with no boost clock listed, whereas the Ryzen 7 1700X has a 3.40 GHz base and a 3.80 GHz boost clock. Both chips use a 14 nm process node, but the i3-8350K is fabricated by Intel, while the Ryzen 7 1700X is made by GlobalFoundries.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The i3-8350K has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 7 1700X has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache — double the L3 of the Intel part. The AMD chip is physically larger, with a die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors, versus 126 mm² for the i3-8350K. Power envelopes are close: the i3-8350K is rated at 91W TDP, while the Ryzen 7 1700X is rated at 95W.

Both processors support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but the Ryzen 7 1700X has a higher memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the i3-8350K. Both support ECC memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i3-8350K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 7 1700X has none. Both have unlocked multipliers, making them overclockable. The i3-8350K uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen 7 1700X uses AMD Socket AM4. The Ryzen 7 1700X is still in active production, while the i3-8350K is end-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single benchmark gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537 against 593 for the Intel Core i3-8350K. That 944-point difference translates to a 61.4% deficit for the i3-8350K, which is the most lopsided result in the entire comparison. The Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads simply overwhelm the i3's 4 cores and 4 threads when all cores are active. This is the workload that content creators and renderers would care about most.

The Ryzen 7 1700X also wins Cinebench R15 single-core, but the result is less intuitive. The AMD part scores 154, while the i3-8350K scores 83 — a 46.1% advantage for the Ryzen. This is surprising given the i3's higher 4.00 GHz clock speed, but the data is unambiguous. In Geekbench multi-core, the Ryzen 7 1700X leads again, scoring 5584 versus 4992, a 10.6% edge. That margin is narrower than in Cinebench, suggesting the Geekbench workload scales less perfectly with core count.

The Intel Core i3-8350K's only win is in Geekbench single-core, where it posts 1564 against 1100 for the Ryzen 7 1700X. That 42.2% advantage is substantial and shows that the i3-8350K can outperform the Ryzen 7 1700X by a wide margin when only one thread is under load. The i3-8350K also has additional benchmark scores not present for the Ryzen 7 1700X: Cinebench R20 multi-core (2471), R20 single-core (348), R23 multi-core (5884), and R23 single-core (830). These scores place the i3-8350K in the 46th percentile of all CPUs, matching the Ryzen 7 1700X's 46th percentile — a statistical tie in overall positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8350K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen offers a 4x thread advantage.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Intel Core i3-8350K wins Geekbench single-core with 1564 versus 1100, a 42.2% lead. However, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 154 versus 83, a 46.1% lead.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K averages 2096 across all tests, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X averages 2094. The difference is 0.1%, making them effectively tied.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-8350K and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X list ECC memory support. Both also use dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X does not have integrated graphics.

Q: Are both CPUs overclockable?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-8350K and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X have unlocked multipliers, allowing overclocking on supported motherboards.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward choice based on workload. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear pick for multi-threaded tasks. Its 61.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 10.6% advantage in Geekbench multi-core make it the superior option for rendering, video encoding, compilation, and any workload that scales across many cores. The Ryzen 7 1700X also holds a surprising edge in Cinebench R15 single-core, meaning it can hold its own even in some lightly-threaded scenarios.

The Intel Core i3-8350K is the better option for single-thread-sensitive applications, as demonstrated by its 42.2% victory in Geekbench single-core. Gamers and users of older software that relies on high clock speeds on one or two cores would see a tangible benefit from the i3-8350K's 4.00 GHz base clock. The i3-8350K also offers integrated graphics, which could be a deciding factor for systems without a discrete GPU.

Given that the two CPUs are statistically tied in average benchmark score (2096 versus 2094, a 0.1% difference), the verdict rests entirely on the nature of the user's applications. For heavy parallel workloads, the Ryzen 7 1700X's extra cores and threads make it the decisive winner. For legacy single-threaded performance, the i3-8350K's architecture and clock speed provide the edge. Both processors sit in the 46th percentile of all CPUs, confirming that neither is a class leader, but each excels in its own domain.