Intel Core i3-8350K vs Intel Core i3-9350KF Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8350K and Intel Core i3-9350KF are both 4-core, 4-thread desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1151 platform, sharing the same 14 nm Coffee Lake process and a 91 W TDP. Despite their similarities, benchmark results show a clear split: the newer i3-9350KF dominates in Cinebench tests across the board, while the older i3-8350K takes a decisive win in Geekbench multi-core and a narrow edge in Geekbench single-core. This creates an unusual situation where the choice depends heavily on which workload you prioritize, as the data does not point to a single overall victor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Geekbench multi-core, where the i3-8350K scores 4992 against the i3-9350KF’s 4098. That is a 21.8% advantage for the older chip, and it is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The i3-8350K also wins Geekbench single-core with 1564 versus 1534, a smaller 2% margin, but still a clear win. These results are puzzling given the rest of the data, but they are consistent across both Geekbench tests, suggesting that the i3-8350K’s memory or scheduling behavior favors that benchmark suite.

Every Cinebench test tells the opposite story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-9350KF scores 640 versus 593 for the i3-8350K, a 7.3% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 90 versus 83, or 7.8% ahead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i3-9350KF extends its multi-core lead to 2667 versus 2471 (7.3%), and single-core to 376 versus 348 (7.4%). In Cinebench R23, the pattern holds: multi-core 6352 versus 5884 (7.4%), and single-core 896 versus 830 (7.4%). The i3-9350KF wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, but the two Geekbench losses are substantial enough to keep the overall average scores nearly identical.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the i3-8350K sits at 2096 while the i3-9350KF is at 2082. That is a negligible 0.7% difference, which explains why both chips occupy the same 46th percentile among all CPUs. The i3-8350K’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X with an average score of 2094, a 0.1% delta, while the i3-9350KF’s closest competitor is the Intel Xeon W-2123 at 2079, a 0.2% delta. In practical terms, these two i3 chips are performance equals on aggregate, with the differences concentrated in specific benchmark types rather than overall capability.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Coffee Lake architecture and 14 nm process node, with identical die sizes of 126 mm² and the same Intel foundry. The core configuration is identical: 4 cores, 4 threads, no hyper-threading. Cache layouts match exactly, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support is also the same: DDR4, dual-channel, with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. PCIe connectivity is identical at Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The key architectural difference is the generation label. The i3-8350K is listed as "Core i3 (Coffee Lake)" while the i3-9350KF is "Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh)". This refresh status is reflected in the boost clock: the i3-9350KF has a 4.60 GHz boost clock, while the i3-8350K has no boost clock listed, meaning it runs at its 4.00 GHz base clock only. Both have a 4.00 GHz base clock. The i3-9350KF’s higher boost capability is the most likely explanation for its consistent Cinebench wins, as those tests tend to scale with sustained clock speeds.

Another notable difference is integrated graphics. The i3-8350K includes UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-9350KF has no integrated graphics at all (the "F" suffix indicates this). This does not affect CPU benchmark scores, but it does change system requirements: the i3-9350KF requires a discrete GPU, while the i3-8350K can run with a basic display output. The multiplier unlock status also differs: the i3-8350K is multiplier unlocked, while the i3-9350KF is not. This is a significant overclocking consideration, though the i3-9350KF’s already higher boost clock may offset some of that flexibility.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-9350KF is the clear winner for Cinebench-style workloads, which are representative of rendering and heavily threaded productivity tasks. Its multi-core R23 score of 6352 is 7.4% higher than the i3-8350K’s 5884, and the single-core R23 score of 896 beats 830 by the same margin. If you are building a system for video rendering, 3D modeling, or any workload that uses Cinebench-like algorithms, the i3-9350KF is the better choice. Its 4.60 GHz boost clock gives it a tangible edge in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering scenarios.

The i3-8350K, surprisingly, wins in Geekbench, which is often used as a general-purpose system benchmark. The 21.8% multi-core lead (4992 versus 4098) is massive and suggests that the i3-8350K handles certain memory access patterns or multi-threaded scheduling more efficiently, despite having the same cache and memory configuration. The 2% single-core win (1564 versus 1534) is smaller but still consistent. If your workflow involves Geekbench-heavy applications, such as some scientific computing or data processing tasks, the i3-8350K is the stronger performer.

However, the i3-8350K’s wins come with a caveat: it is an end-of-life product with a launch MSRP of $168, while the i3-9350KF launched at $173. The i3-9350KF is also end-of-life, but it was released later (January 2019 versus October 2017) and offers the integrated graphics trade-off. For a builder who already has a discrete GPU, the i3-9350KF’s lack of iGPU is irrelevant, and its higher boost clock is a clear benefit. For a builder who needs a fallback display output or wants the overclocking headroom of an unlocked multiplier, the i3-8350K is more versatile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in only a handful of specification fields. The boost clock is the most obvious: the i3-9350KF has a 4.60 GHz boost, while the i3-8350K lists no boost clock, effectively capping at 4.00 GHz. The integrated graphics field is another difference: the i3-8350K has UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-9350KF has none. The multiplier unlocked status differs, with the i3-8350K being unlocked and the i3-9350KF locked. The generation label differs as well, with the i3-8350K being "Core i3 (Coffee Lake)" and the i3-9350KF being "Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh)". Release dates differ (2017-10-04 for the i3-8350K, 2019-01-07 for the i3-9350KF), and the launch MSRP is $168 versus $173. Part numbers are different (SR3N4 versus SRF7V). All other fields—cores, threads, base clock, TDP, socket, architecture, process node, die size, cache, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe, market segment, and production status—are identical.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-9350KF has a 4.60 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Core i3-8350K has no boost clock listed and runs at its 4.00 GHz base clock.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i3-8350K and the i3-9350KF list ECC memory support (true) with DDR4 dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Why does the i3-8350K win Geekbench multi-core by such a large margin?

A: The i3-8350K scores 4992 in Geekbench multi-core versus 4098 for the i3-9350KF, a 21.8% delta. The data does not explain why, but the result is consistent across Geekbench tests.

Q: Is the i3-9350KF better for rendering workloads?

A: Yes, the i3-9350KF wins all Cinebench tests by about 7.3-7.8%, including a 6352 versus 5884 multi-core R23 score, which indicates a clear advantage in rendering tasks.

Q: Can I overclock the i3-8350K?

A: The i3-8350K has an unlocked multiplier (true), while the i3-9350KF is not multiplier unlocked (false), so overclocking is only officially supported on the i3-8350K.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i3-8350K includes UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-9350KF has no integrated graphics, so the i3-9350KF requires a discrete GPU for display output.

The Verdict

The data presents a split decision. For Cinebench-style rendering and productivity workloads, the Intel Core i3-9350KF is the stronger chip, with a consistent 7.3-7.8% lead across all R15, R20, and R23 tests. Its 4.60 GHz boost clock is the clear differentiator, and its lack of integrated graphics is irrelevant if you plan to use a discrete GPU. It is the better choice for a dedicated rendering or compute-focused build.

For Geekbench-heavy workloads, the Intel Core i3-8350K is unexpectedly superior, with a 21.8% multi-core lead that is impossible to ignore. It also offers integrated graphics and an unlocked multiplier, making it more flexible for a general-purpose system or one where you want to experiment with overclocking. Its 2% single-core Geekbench win adds to its appeal for single-threaded tasks in that specific benchmark.

The aggregate scores are nearly identical—2096 versus 2082—and both sit at the 46th percentile. This means the choice comes down to your specific application mix. If your software leans on Cinebench-like algorithms, pick the i3-9350KF. If you rely on Geekbench-style benchmarks or need integrated graphics and overclocking, pick the i3-8350K. There is no wrong answer here; the data simply says they are different tools for different jobs.