Intel Core i3-8350K vs Intel Core i7-1160G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 is the clear performance winner over the Intel Core i3-8350K, sweeping all six head-to-head benchmarks with consistent margins of roughly 25%. However, the i3-8350K remains relevant for desktop users who prioritize a high base clock and PCIe lane availability, while the i7-1160G7 dominates in efficiency and integrated graphics. Benchmark data shows the i7-1160G7 outscores the i3-8350K in every tested Cinebench workload, with the largest single-core lead reaching 25.3% in Cinebench R15, yet the i3-8350K counters with a 91W TDP versus 15W, a 4.00GHz base clock versus 1.20GHz, and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 4 Gen 4 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-1160G7 wins every benchmark category outright, making it the superior choice for any workload measured by Cinebench. Its wins are broad and consistent: in multicore tests, it delivers 740 vs 593 in Cinebench R15, 3084 vs 2471 in R20, and 7343 vs 5884 in R23, each representing a 24.8% advantage. Single-core performance follows the same pattern, with leads of 25.3% in R15 (104 vs 83) and 25% in R20 (435 vs 348). This consistency suggests architectural superiority rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i7-1160G7 also features 8 threads versus 4, which directly contributes to its multicore dominance despite a much lower base clock.

The i3-8350K, while losing every benchmark, wins in platform characteristics that benchmarks do not capture. It offers a 4.00GHz base clock compared to the i7-1160G7's 1.20GHz, meaning it maintains high frequency without relying on boost behavior. It also provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus the i7-1160G7's 4 Gen 4 lanes, making it more suitable for multi-GPU or high-bandwidth desktop expansion. Additionally, the i3-8350K supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-1160G7, and uses DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth versus LPDDR4X at 34.1 GB/s. For desktop builders needing raw connectivity and memory integrity, these traits matter more than Cinebench scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different process nodes and microarchitectures. The i7-1160G7 is built on Intel's 10nm process with a die size of 144 mm², while the i3-8350K uses the older 14nm node with a 126 mm² die. The i7-1160G7 belongs to the Tiger Lake-U family with Willow Cove cores, whereas the i3-8350K is Coffee Lake with standard Coffee Lake cores. This generational gap explains the performance delta: Willow Cove brings IPC improvements that allow the i7-1160G7 to outpace the i3-8350K despite the latter's higher base frequency.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i7-1160G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, plus 12 MB of shared L3. The i3-8350K has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and only 8 MB of shared L3. The i7-1160G7's larger L2 and L3 caches provide more data locality, which is critical for the consistent 24.8% multicore advantage. Thread counts also diverge: the i7-1160G7 has 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i3-8350K has 4 threads without it, doubling the logical cores available for parallel workloads.

Integrated graphics separate the two clearly. The i7-1160G7 ships with Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units, while the i3-8350K has UHD Graphics 630. No benchmark scores exist for these GPUs, but the EU count difference (96 vs 630's unspecified but lower capability) suggests the i7-1160G7 is far more capable for light gaming or media tasks without a discrete GPU. The i7-1160G7 also uses LPDDR4X memory, which is typically lower power, while the i3-8350K uses standard DDR4 with higher peak bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s). Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the platform targets differ: the i7-1160G7 is mobile (BGA 1598) and the i3-8350K is desktop (Socket 1151).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-1160G7's sweep is defined by uniform margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 740 against the i3-8350K's 593, a 24.8% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger gap at 25.3% (104 vs 83), indicating the i7-1160G7's boost clock of 4.40GHz is effectively utilized despite a low 1.20GHz base. Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern: multicore 3084 vs 2471 (24.8%) and single-core 435 vs 348 (25%). Cinebench R23 follows with multicore 7343 vs 5884 and single-core 1036 vs 830, both again at 24.8%.

These numbers reveal that the i7-1160G7 does not just edge out the i3-8350K; it produces a near-identical performance premium across all tested versions of Cinebench. This consistency suggests the advantage is fundamental to the microarchitecture and thread count, not a workload anomaly. The i7-1160G7 also has a higher average benchmark score of 2124 versus the i3-8350K's 2096, though both sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs. Notably, the i3-8350K has two additional Geekbench scores (4992 multicore, 1564 singlecore) that the i7-1160G7 lacks, so a full comparison is incomplete, but the Cinebench data alone shows a decisive victory.

In terms of nearest rivals, the i7-1160G7's avg score of 2124 places it within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U (2135) and 0.1% of the Intel Atom C5125 (2122), confirming it is a mid-pack mobile part. The i3-8350K's 2096 avg score sits just 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X (2094) and 0.2% below the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G (2101), showing it is also mid-range but with a different performance profile. Neither processor breaks into top-tier territory, but the i7-1160G7 achieves its scores at a fraction of the power draw.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-1160G7 wins all multicore tests, scoring 740 vs 593 in Cinebench R15, 3084 vs 2471 in R20, and 7343 vs 5884 in R23, each a 24.8% lead.

Q: Does the i3-8350K have any performance advantage?

A: No, the i3-8350K loses all six head-to-head benchmarks. Its only advantages are platform features: a 4.00GHz base clock, 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, ECC memory support, and a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: How do their thread counts compare?

A: The i7-1160G7 has 8 threads (4 cores with Hyper-Threading), while the i3-8350K has 4 threads (4 cores without Hyper-Threading).

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The i7-1160G7 has a 15W TDP compared to the i3-8350K's 91W TDP, a six-fold difference that favors the mobile part for battery or thermal-constrained systems.

Q: What are the process node differences?

A: The i7-1160G7 uses a 10nm process with a 144 mm² die, while the i3-8350K uses a 14nm process with a 126 mm² die.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: No, the i7-1160G7 supports LPDDR4X with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-8350K supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth; both are dual-channel.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-1160G7 is the superior processor for any Cinebench-based workload, winning every test by ~25%. Its 8 threads, larger cache (12 MB L3 vs 8 MB), and 10nm Willow Cove architecture deliver performance that the i3-8350K cannot match, regardless of the latter's higher base clock. Users who need raw CPU speed for rendering, encoding, or multi-threaded tasks should choose the i7-1160G7, especially given its 15W TDP, which makes it viable for thin-and-light laptops or low-power desktops.

However, the i3-8350K serves a specific desktop niche. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide expansion capacity that the i7-1160G7's 4 Gen 4 lanes cannot approach, making it better for systems with multiple GPUs or NVMe drives. ECC memory support is a critical feature for workstation reliability, and the 4.00GHz base clock ensures consistent performance in lightly threaded tasks without relying on boost. The i3-8350K also has a lower average benchmark score (2096 vs 2124) but sits at the same 46th percentile, meaning both are statistically mid-range. For a desktop builder prioritizing connectivity and memory integrity over Cinebench scores, the i3-8350K remains a valid, though older, choice.

Specification Differences

| Spec | Intel Core i7-1160G7 | Intel Core i3-8350K |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1.20 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | None |

| TDP | 15W | 91W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1598 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake (Willow Cove) | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 126 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 4 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $168 |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRK0E | SR3N4 |

| Release Date | 2020-09-01 | 2017-10-04 |