Intel Core i3-7350K vs Intel Core i5-7500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7500T and Intel Core i3-7350K are both Kaby Lake desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1151 platform, yet they occupy opposite ends of the design spectrum. One is a low-power, four-core workhorse; the other is a high-frequency, unlocked dual-core. The benchmark data reveals a surprisingly consistent pattern: the i5-7500T wins seven of eight head-to-head tests, but the single test it loses is by a massive margin.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in this comparison is the Geekbench single-core test, where the Intel Core i3-7350K decisively outperforms the i5-7500T. The i3-7350K scores 1488 against 1078 for the i5-7500T, yielding a deltaPct of -27.6% from the i5's perspective. This is the only benchmark where the i3 takes the lead, and it does so by a wide gap, reflecting its substantially higher base clock of 4.20 GHz against the i5's 2.70 GHz.

In every other test, the i5-7500T wins, though the margins are much narrower. In the Cinebench R15 tests, the i5-7500T scores 448 in multi-core versus 417 for the i3-7350K, a 7.4% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows the i5 ahead at 63 versus 58, an 8.6% deltaPct, which is interesting given the i3's clock advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i5 leads 1870 to 1740 in multi-core (7.5%) and 263 to 245 in single-core (7.3%). The Cinebench R23 results follow suit: the i5 posts 4454 versus 4144 in multi-core (7.5%) and 628 versus 585 in single-core (7.4%).

The Geekbench multi-core test is the closest contest. The i5-7500T scores 3062, while the i3-7350K scores 3018, a deltaPct of only 1.5%. This narrow margin suggests that the i3's four threads can nearly match the i5's four physical cores in this particular workload, despite the i5 having two additional cores. Overall, the i5-7500T claims seven wins, and the i3-7350K takes just one, but that one win is so significant that it defines the character of each chip.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same 14 nm process node and share the Kaby Lake architecture and codename. They are both manufactured by Intel and target the Desktop market segment. The fundamental divergence is in core count: the i5-7500T has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads. This means the i5 offers two additional physical cores, while the i3 relies on Hyper-Threading to reach its thread count.

Clock speeds tell the opposite story. The i5-7500T has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i3-7350K has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and lists no boost clock, indicating it runs at a fixed high frequency. The thermal design power differs accordingly: the i5-7500T is rated at 35W TDP, while the i3-7350K is rated at 60W. This makes the i5 a much more power-efficient part on paper.

Cache configurations also differ. The i5-7500T features 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-7350K has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. Memory support is identical: both support DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics are essentially the same, with the i5-7500T listing HD 630 and the i3-7350K listing Intel HD 630. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. A key feature difference is the multiplier: the i3-7350K is multiplier-unlocked, while the i5-7500T is not. Both CPUs were released on the same date and share the same part number prefix, with the i5-7500T being SR337 and the i3-7350K being SR35B.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-7500T has 4 physical cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-7350K has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach the same thread count.

Q: Why does the i3-7350K win the Geekbench single-core test by such a large margin?

A: The i3-7350K scores 1488 compared to 1078 for the i5-7500T, a deltaPct of -27.6%. This is primarily due to its base clock of 4.20 GHz, which is significantly higher than the i5-7500T's 2.70 GHz base clock.

Q: Is the i5-7500T always faster in multi-core workloads?

A: Yes, in all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) and in Geekbench multi-core, the i5-7500T wins. The margins range from 1.5% in Geekbench multi-core to 7.5% in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core.

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

A: The i5-7500T has a TDP of 35W, while the i3-7350K has a TDP of 60W. This makes the i5-7500T a lower-power part, which is consistent with its lower clock speeds.

Q: Can the i3-7350K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i3-7350K is multiplier-unlocked, which means its clock multiplier can be adjusted. The i5-7500T is not multiplier-unlocked.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and have a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. Core count is the most significant: the i5-7500T has 4 cores versus 2 for the i3-7350K. Thread count is the same at 4, but achieved differently. The base clock differs substantially, with the i3-7350K at 4.20 GHz versus the i5-7500T at 2.70 GHz. The i5-7500T has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the i3-7350K lists no boost clock.

TDP is another differentiator, with the i5-7500T rated at 35W and the i3-7350K at 60W. The L3 cache size differs, with the i5-7500T offering 6 MB shared versus 4 MB shared on the i3-7350K. The multiplier unlock status differs, as the i3-7350K is unlocked and the i5-7500T is not. The part numbers also differ (SR337 for the i5, SR35B for the i3). Notably, the integrated graphics naming is slightly different, with the i5 listing "HD 630" and the i3 listing "Intel HD 630", though this is likely a formatting difference.

Both share the same socket, architecture, process node, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC status, PCIe configuration, market segment, production status, and release date. Neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i5-7500T is the overall performance winner, taking 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. Its victories in multi-core tests are consistent, with deltas between 1.5% and 7.5%. The i5 also wins the Cinebench single-core tests, which is surprising given the i3's clock speed advantage. The i5-7500T's additional two physical cores and larger 6 MB L3 cache appear to provide a tangible benefit across most workloads.

The Intel Core i3-7350K has a single, spectacular strength: Geekbench single-core performance. Its 1488 score is 27.6% higher than the i5's, a delta that dwarfs any other difference in this comparison. This makes the i3-7350K the obvious choice for applications that are heavily dependent on single-threaded performance and are sensitive to raw clock speed.

For general-purpose use, the i5-7500T is the better all-rounder. It offers higher multi-core scores across every Cinebench version, and its lower TDP of 35W versus 60W makes it a more power-efficient option. The i3-7350K, with its unlocked multiplier, offers overclocking potential that the i5 does not, but the data provided does not include overclocked results.

Users who need maximum single-thread performance out of the box should choose the i3-7350K. Users who prioritize consistent multi-core performance and lower power consumption should choose the i5-7500T. The i5's 7.4% to 7.5% advantage in Cinebench multi-core tests is substantial, while the i3's 27.6% advantage in Geekbench single-core is even more dramatic but confined to one metric.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-7500T wins in all multi-core scenarios, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. It also wins the Cinebench single-core tests, which positions it as the better choice for rendering tasks that use these benchmarks, even those that are not fully multi-threaded. Its lower 35W TDP makes it suitable for compact or power-constrained desktop builds where thermal output is a concern. The i5 also wins Geekbench multi-core, though by a slim 1.5% margin, indicating it is only slightly ahead in that synthetic workload.

The Intel Core i3-7350K wins exclusively in Geekbench single-core. This makes it the preferred option for legacy applications, certain games, or lightly threaded productivity tools that rely on a single high-frequency core. Its 60W TDP and unlocked multiplier suggest it is designed for enthusiasts who plan to overclock, although the data does not include overclocked benchmark scores. The i3's 4.20 GHz base clock is the highest frequency in this comparison, which is the source of its single-core dominance.

In practical terms, the i5-7500T is the safer choice for a mixed workload desktop, offering wins in seven out of eight tests. The i3-7350K is a specialist part, winning one test but winning it by a margin so large that it defines the chip's identity. The choice comes down to whether the user's primary applications resemble Cinebench or Geekbench single-core.