Intel Core i3-7350K vs Intel Core i5-7300HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i3-7350K and Intel Core i5-7300HQ are both 14nm Kaby Lake parts, but they target completely different platforms and use cases. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the i5-7300HQ wins the majority of tests, but the i3-7350K scores a decisive victory in one important metric. The i5-7300HQ takes 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, yet the i3-7350K posts a massive 41.4% win in Geekbench single-core, showing that clock speed can still beat core count in specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-7300HQ establishes a consistent edge across all Cinebench tests, though the margins are relatively narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-7300HQ scores 434 against the i3-7350K's 417, a 3.9% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 61 versus 58, a 4.9% lead for the mobile chip. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-7300HQ again wins both tests — multicore 1812 versus 1740 (4% ahead) and single-core 255 versus 245 (3.9% ahead). The R23 results mirror this exactly: the i5-7300HQ takes multicore 4316 to 4144 and single-core 609 to 585, both with a 4% delta. These are consistent, if modest, wins across the board.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-7300HQ barely edges out the i3-7350K with 3044 versus 3018, a negligible 0.9% difference. However, in Geekbench single-core, the i3-7350K delivers its signature victory: 1488 versus 1052, a commanding 41.4% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison and completely flips the narrative. The i3-7350K's 4.20 GHz base clock, with no boost needed, gives it a massive single-threaded performance advantage that the i5-7300HQ's 3.50 GHz boost clock cannot overcome.

Looking at the aggregate picture, the i5-7300HQ's average benchmark score is 1448, while the i3-7350K sits slightly higher at 1462. Both processors land at the 38th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same tier in the overall performance distribution. The i5-7300HQ's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6378 (matching at 1447, 0% delta) and Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 (1446, 0.2% delta), while the i3-7350K sits closest to the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE (1461, 0.1% delta) and Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 (1465, -0.2% delta). These rival comparisons show both chips are tightly clustered in mid-range territory, with no significant outliers in either direction.

Architecture Differences

The most fundamental architectural difference is core count. The i3-7350K features 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-7300HQ offers 4 cores and 4 threads. This means the i5-7300HQ has twice the physical cores but no hyper-threading, whereas the i3-7350K relies on hyper-threading to reach 4 threads from just 2 cores. This explains why the i5-7300HQ wins multicore tests — it has genuine 4-core parallelism, while the i3-7350K's 2 cores with hyper-threading are less effective in heavily threaded workloads.

Clock speeds diverge sharply. The i3-7350K runs at a fixed 4.20 GHz with no boost clock, while the i5-7300HQ has a 2.50 GHz base clock and a 3.50 GHz boost clock. The i3-7350K's 4.20 GHz is the highest sustained frequency in this comparison, and its unlocked multiplier means it can be overclocked further. The i5-7300HQ's lower base clock but boost capability gives it dynamic performance, but it cannot match the i3-7350K's raw single-threaded speed.

Cache allocations differ as well. Both chips have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is 4 MB on the i3-7350K versus 6 MB on the i5-7300HQ. The larger L3 on the i5-7300HQ helps compensate for its lower clock speed by holding more working data. The i5-7300HQ also has a recorded die size of 126 mm², while the i3-7350K's die size is not listed in the data.

Platform compatibility is a major differentiator. The i3-7350K uses the Intel Socket 1151, is classified as a Desktop part, and is still in Active production. The i5-7300HQ uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, is classified as Mobile, and is marked End-of-life. The i3-7350K supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-7300HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 but has no listed memory bandwidth figure. Both chips offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and Intel HD 630 integrated graphics, though the i5-7300HQ lists it as "Intel HD Graphics 630" while the i3-7350K lists "Intel HD 630."

Power and thermal characteristics also differ. The i3-7350K has a 60W TDP, while the i5-7300HQ draws 45W. This makes the i5-7300HQ more power-efficient despite having more cores, which is typical for a mobile-oriented part. The i3-7350K's higher TDP reflects its desktop positioning with a much higher clock speed. The i5-7300HQ has a launch MSRP of $250, while the i3-7350K's launch MSRP is not listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K wins decisively with a 41.4% lead in Geekbench single-core (1488 versus 1052). It also scores higher in Cinebench R23 single-core with 585 versus 609 for the i5-7300HQ, but that test actually favors the i5-7300HQ. The Geekbench result is the standout metric for the i3-7350K.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-7300HQ has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3-7350K uses hyper-threading to double its thread count, whereas the i5-7300HQ has no hyper-threading.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i3-7350K has a 60W TDP, while the i5-7300HQ has a 45W TDP. The i5-7300HQ is more power-efficient despite having twice the physical cores.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The i3-7350K uses Intel Socket 1151 for desktop builds, while the i5-7300HQ uses Intel BGA 1440 for mobile systems. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-7300HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-7350K has 4 MB. Both have the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The i3-7350K is still Active in production, while the i5-7300HQ is marked as End-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear platform-based recommendation. For desktop users building a system around the Intel Socket 1151, the i3-7350K is the only viable choice of these two, with its unlocked multiplier and 4.20 GHz base clock. Its 41.4% single-core lead in Geekbench is the most dramatic performance gap in this comparison, making it the superior option for single-threaded tasks. However, the i5-7300HQ wins 7 of 8 benchmarks and offers better multicore performance across all Cinebench versions, plus a larger 6 MB L3 cache and support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory.

The i5-7300HQ is the better overall performer in the majority of tests, but it is a mobile-only part that is End-of-life. The i3-7350K remains active for desktop users who prioritize single-threaded speed and overclocking headroom. The i5-7300HQ's 45W TDP makes it more efficient, and its $250 launch MSRP provides a reference point, though the i3-7350K has no listed MSRP. If you need a desktop CPU, the i3-7350K is the only option; if you need a mobile CPU, the i5-7300HQ is the only option. Within their respective platforms, the i5-7300HQ offers better all-around performance, but the i3-7350K's single-core dominance cannot be ignored.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-7350K | Intel Core i5-7300HQ |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 4.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 60W | 45W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Codename | Kaby Lake | Kaby Lake-H |

| Generation | Core i3 (Kaby Lake) | Core i5 (Kaby Lake-H) |

| Die Size | Not listed | 126 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 630 | Intel HD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $250 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR35B | SR32S |

Where Each One Wins

The i5-7300HQ is the clear winner in multicore performance. It wins all three Cinebench multicore tests (R15, R20, R23) with consistent 4% margins, and it also edges out the i3-7350K in Geekbench multicore by 0.9%. It wins every Cinebench single-core test as well, with margins ranging from 3.9% to 4.9%. This makes it the better choice for rendering, video encoding, and any workload that can use four physical cores. Its 6 MB L3 cache and 45W TDP also make it a more efficient option for sustained workloads in mobile systems.

The i3-7350K has one dominant win: Geekbench single-core with a 41.4% advantage. This is a massive margin that suggests the i3-7350K is vastly superior in lightly threaded applications like older games, office productivity, and legacy software. Its 4.20 GHz base clock is the highest sustained frequency in this comparison, and the unlocked multiplier means it can be pushed even higher. For desktop users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness and overclocking, the i3-7350K is the definitive choice. It also remains in Active production, ensuring ongoing availability for new builds.