AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Core i3-9350KF Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and Intel Core i3-9350KF represent two fundamentally different approaches to desktop computing, with the former prioritizing core count and the latter emphasizing raw clock speed. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 7 1700X wins three of the four shared tests, while the Intel part takes a decisive victory in single-threaded Geekbench performance. Both processors sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are remarkably close — 2094 for the AMD part versus 2082 for the Intel part, a margin of just 0.6 percent. This near-parity in overall standing masks the significant differences in how each chip achieves its results.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear winner in multi-core and mixed workloads, dominating the Intel Core i3-9350KF across every multi-threaded benchmark in the data. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 1537 against the Intel's 640, a 140.2 percent advantage. The Geekbench multi-core test shows a similar trend, with the Ryzen 7 1700X scoring 5584 versus 4098 for the i3-9350KF, a 36.3 percent lead. Even in the single-core Cinebench R15 test, the AMD chip wins with a score of 154 against the Intel's 90, a 71.1 percent margin. This dominance stems directly from the Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads, which allow it to process far more parallel work than the Intel's 4 cores and 4 threads.

The Intel Core i3-9350KF wins in one specific area: Geekbench single-core performance. Here it scores 1534 against the Ryzen 7 1700X's 1100, representing a 28.3 percent advantage for the Intel part. This is the only test where the i3-9350KF comes out ahead, and it reflects the chip's higher base and boost clocks of 4.00 GHz and 4.60 GHz, respectively, compared to the AMD's 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. For workloads that rely heavily on a single thread — such as certain legacy applications or lightly-threaded games — the Intel chip would be the better choice. However, the data shows that the Ryzen 7 1700X is competitive even in the single-core Cinebench test, suggesting its architectural efficiency partially compensates for its lower clock speeds.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has an average benchmark score of 2094, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF scores 2082. The difference is 0.6 percent, placing the AMD part slightly ahead in the nearestRivals comparison.

Q: How many cores and threads does each CPU have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i3-9350KF has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X leads the Intel Core i3-9350KF by 140.2 percent. The AMD chip scores 1537, while the Intel chip scores 640.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-9350KF win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i3-9350KF wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 1534, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X's 1100. This represents a 28.3 percent advantage for the Intel part.

Q: Are both processors compatible with ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and the Intel Core i3-9350KF support ECC memory, according to the specification data.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has a production status of Active, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF is marked as End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a decisive pattern: the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins three of four tests, with the Intel Core i3-9350KF securing only the Geekbench single-core result. The most striking difference appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD part scores 1537 and the Intel part scores 640. This 140.2 percent delta is the largest of any shared benchmark, highlighting the massive parallel-processing advantage of the Ryzen's 8-core, 16-thread configuration over the Intel's 4-core, 4-thread design.

The single-core Cinebench R15 test produces an unexpected result, with the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X winning 154 to 90, a 71.1 percent margin. This is notable because it contradicts the expectation that the Intel chip, with its higher clock speeds, would dominate single-threaded workloads. The Geekbench single-core test, however, confirms that expectation, with the Intel Core i3-9350KF scoring 1534 against the AMD's 1100, a 28.3 percent difference in favor of Intel.

The Geekbench multi-core test falls between the two extremes. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 5584, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF scores 4098, giving the AMD part a 36.3 percent lead. This result shows that while the Intel chip is competitive in single-threaded performance, it cannot match the AMD's throughput when all cores are utilized. The overall benchmark data places both CPUs at the 46th percentile, with the Ryzen 7 1700X's average score of 2094 edging out the i3-9350KF's 2082 by just 0.6 percent — a margin that obscures the starkly different performance profiles.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially in core configuration, clock speeds, and physical characteristics. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF provides 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for the AMD part and 4.00 GHz for the Intel part, with boost clocks of 3.80 GHz and 4.60 GHz, respectively. The AMD chip has a TDP of 95 watts, slightly higher than the Intel chip's 91 watts.

The cache hierarchies differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i3-9350KF has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory bandwidth is also distinct, with the AMD part supporting 42.7 GB/s and the Intel part supporting 38.4 GB/s, though both use dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Physical specifications diverge significantly. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X uses a 213 mm² die size with 4,800 million transistors, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF has a smaller 126 mm² die with no transistor count listed. Both are built on a 14 nm process node, but the AMD chip is fabricated by GlobalFoundries, while the Intel chip is made by Intel's own foundry. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1151. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, but locked on the Intel Core i3-9350KF. The Intel chip was released on 2019-01-07, while the AMD chip was released on 2017-03-01.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two CPUs is fundamental. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is built on the Zen architecture, with the codename Zen (Summit Ridge), and belongs to the Ryzen 7 generation of the 1000 series. The Intel Core i3-9350KF uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, under the Core i3 branding. Both are manufactured on a 14 nm process node, but the design philosophies are markedly different.

The AMD Zen architecture prioritizes multi-threaded throughput with its 8-core, 16-thread configuration, and the benchmark data confirms this design goal. The Intel Coffee Lake architecture focuses on higher clock speeds, with the 4.60 GHz boost clock on the i3-9350KF being the highest of the two chips. The lack of hyper-threading on the Intel part, indicated by its 4 threads for 4 cores, further emphasizes its single-threaded orientation.

Cache design reflects these architectural priorities. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X allocates 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus a 16 MB shared L3 cache, providing a larger total cache pool for the additional cores. The Intel Core i3-9350KF uses smaller per-core caches — 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 — with 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's higher memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the Intel part supports its larger core count and multi-threaded workloads.

Both processors support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration and offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither includes integrated graphics. ECC memory support is present on both, making them suitable for entry-level workstation builds. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X remains in active production, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF is listed as end-of-life, which may influence long-term availability and platform support.