Intel Core i3-7350K vs Intel Core i7-3820 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, taking both the single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i7-3820 in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-3820 scores 4923 versus 4144 for the i3-7350K, a lead of 15.8%. The margin is consistent across all multi-core tests, ranging from 15.8% to 15.9%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-7350K have any advantages in clock speed?

A: Yes, the i3-7350K has a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz compared to the i7-3820's 3.60 GHz base clock. However, the i7-3820 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz that the i3 lacks entirely.

Q: What are the core and thread counts of these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3820 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the i7 twice the core count and twice the thread count.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820 has 10 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-7350K has only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7's cache is 2.5 times larger.

Q: What is the process node difference between these chips?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K is built on a 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-3820 uses a 32 nm process. The newer i3 also has a significantly lower TDP of 60 W versus 130 W.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows a clear sweep: the Intel Core i7-3820 wins every single benchmark test in the head-to-head comparison. There are no benchmark wins for the Intel Core i3-7350K, as indicated by the wins tally of 0 for the i3 and 6 for the i7.

The i7-3820's advantage is uniform across both single-core and multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 69 versus 58 for the i3, a 15.9% margin. In multi-core, the story is the same: the i7 leads by 15.8% to 15.9% in every Cinebench iteration. This consistency suggests the i7's architectural advantages, namely its 4 cores, 8 threads, and larger cache, outweigh the i3's higher base clock.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the i7-3820 is the unambiguous choice based on benchmark results. The i3-7350K does not offer a single workload category where it outperforms the i7, making it difficult to recommend for any performance-driven task. The i3's only notable advantages are its newer process node, lower TDP, and higher base clock, but these do not translate into any benchmark victories.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i3-7350K is based on Kaby Lake, a 14 nm architecture, while the Intel Core i7-3820 is based on Sandy Bridge-E, a 32 nm architecture. This process difference explains the i3's lower TDP of 60 W versus the i7's 130 W.

The i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-3820 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7 also features a larger shared L3 cache of 10 MB compared to the i3's 4 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the i7's additional cores give it a substantial total cache advantage.

Memory support differs significantly. The i3-7350K supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-3820 supports DDR3 memory with a quad-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The i7's quad-channel setup provides higher theoretical memory bandwidth despite using an older memory standard.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The i3-7350K offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3820 offers PCIe Gen 2 with 40 lanes (CPU only). The i7 has more lanes but an older generation. The i3 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 630), while the i7 has no integrated graphics at all.

Production status and release dates separate these further. The i3-7350K is active and was released in January 2017, while the i7-3820 is end-of-life and was released in February 2012. The i7's transistor count is listed as 1,270 million with a die size of 294 mm², while the i3 has no listed transistor or die size data.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are as follows:

• Cores: The i3-7350K has 2 cores, while the i7-3820 has 4 cores.
• Threads: The i3-7350K has 4 threads, while the i7-3820 has 8 threads.
• Base Clock: The i3-7350K runs at 4.20 GHz, while the i7-3820 runs at 3.60 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i3-7350K has no boost clock, while the i7-3820 boosts to 3.80 GHz.
• TDP: The i3-7350K has a TDP of 60 W, while the i7-3820 has a TDP of 130 W.
• Socket: The i3-7350K uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-3820 uses Intel Socket 2011.
• Architecture: The i3-7350K is Kaby Lake, while the i7-3820 is Sandy Bridge-E.
• Process Node: The i3-7350K is on 14 nm, while the i7-3820 is on 32 nm.
• L3 Cache: The i3-7350K has 4 MB shared, while the i7-3820 has 10 MB shared.
• Memory Support: The i3-7350K supports DDR4, while the i7-3820 supports DDR3.
• Memory Bus: The i3-7350K is dual-channel, while the i7-3820 is quad-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: The i3-7350K has 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-3820 has 51.2 GB/s.
• PCIe: The i3-7350K has Gen 3, 16 lanes, while the i7-3820 has Gen 2, 40 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: The i3-7350K has Intel HD 630, while the i7-3820 has none.
• Production Status: The i3-7350K is active, while the i7-3820 is end-of-life.
• Release Date: The i3-7350K was released in January 2017, while the i7-3820 was released in February 2012.
• Transistors: The i7-3820 has 1,270 million, while the i3-7350K has no listed data.
• Die Size: The i7-3820 is 294 mm², while the i3-7350K has no listed data.
• Part Number: The i3-7350K is SR35B, while the i7-3820 is SR0LD.

Both processors have unlocked multipliers and do not support ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a uniform picture: the Intel Core i7-3820 wins all six recorded head-to-head tests, with margins between 15.8% and 15.9%. The i3-7350K records zero wins.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3820 scores 496 against 417 for the i3-7350K, a 15.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the same margin: 69 versus 58. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 2067 for the i7 and 1740 for the i3, a 15.8% difference. The single-core R20 scores are 291 and 245, again 15.8% apart.

Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. In multi-core, the i7-3820 scores 4923 versus 4144 for the i3-7350K, a 15.8% margin. The single-core R23 test shows 695 versus 585, also a 15.8% difference. Notably, the i3-7350K also has Geekbench scores (3018 multi-core, 1488 single-core) that are not part of the head-to-head set, but the Cinebench data alone establishes the i7's clear dominance.

The consistency of the margin, hovering around 15.8%, suggests that the i7's advantage stems from its additional cores and threads, as well as its larger cache, rather than any single architectural feature. The i3's higher base clock of 4.20 GHz is not sufficient to overcome the i7's structural advantages.

For the i3-7350K, its average benchmark score of 1462 places it near the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE (1461, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 (1465, delta -0.2%). The i7-3820's average score of 1424 sits near the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 (1422, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-4570S (1426, delta -0.2%). Both processors fall in similar percentile ranges: the i3 at the 38th percentile and the i7 at the 37th percentile of all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3820 is the faster processor in every benchmark test. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, including both single-core and multi-core workloads, with a consistent 15.8% to 15.9% margin. Users who need maximum performance, especially in threaded applications, should choose the i7-3820 based on its 4 cores, 8 threads, 10 MB L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth.

The Intel Core i3-7350K, despite its higher base clock and newer 14 nm process, does not win a single benchmark. Its 2 cores and 4 threads limit its multi-core performance, and even in single-core tests, it trails the older i7 by nearly 16%. The i3's advantages are confined to power efficiency (60 W TDP versus 130 W) and platform modernity (DDR4, PCIe Gen 3, integrated graphics), but these do not translate into any performance victory.

For a user building a system today, the i7-3820's end-of-life status and older socket (Socket 2011) may be a concern, but the benchmark results show it remains the stronger performer. The i3-7350K is only preferable for scenarios where lower power consumption or integrated graphics are critical, as it offers no performance edge. The recorded data supports the i7-3820 as the clear winner, and the i3-7350K's zero wins make its selection difficult to justify on performance grounds alone.