Intel Core i3-8350K vs Intel Core i7-8705G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split between these two Intel processors. Across the eight recorded head-to-head comparisons, the Intel Core i7-8705G wins six tests, while the Intel Core i3-8350K takes two. However, the margin and direction of those wins tell a more complex story.

In the Cinebench suite, the Core i7-8705G consistently outperforms the Core i3-8350K. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8705G scores 651 versus 593 for the i3-8350K, a delta of 8.9 percent. The single-core result in R15 shows 91 versus 83, an 8.8 percent advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap widens slightly: 2714 versus 2471, a 9 percent difference. Single-core R20 follows the same pattern: 383 against 348, a 9.1 percent lead. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core scores are 6464 versus 5884, and single-core scores are 912 against 830, both showing a 9 percent delta.

The big surprise arrives with Geekbench. Here, the Core i3-8350K reverses the trend dramatically. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-8350K scores 4992 against the i7-8705G's 3968, a 25.8 percent advantage. The single-core Geekbench test shows 1564 versus 1277, a 22.5 percent lead for the i3-8350K. This is a substantial swing, and it suggests the two benchmark suites are measuring very different aspects of performance.

What explains this divergence? The Cinebench tests are heavily threaded and stress sustained multi-core workloads. The Geekbench suite tends to be more varied, mixing memory latency, encryption, and integer performance. The data indicates the i7-8705G excels in sustained rendering workloads, while the i3-8350K pulls far ahead in the broader Geekbench metric. The average benchmark score for the i3-8350K is 2096, placing it at the 46th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-8705G has an average of 2058, also at the 46th percentile. These aggregate scores are nearly identical, which makes the head-to-head divergence all the more curious.

Looking at nearest rivals, the i3-8350K sits within 0.6 percent of the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G, and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544. The i7-8705G matches the Intel Core i3-10105T exactly, and sits within 0.4 percent of the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G and the AMD Ryzen 3 3100. Both processors occupy a similar performance tier overall, yet their distribution of wins across specific tests could not be more different.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-8705G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz.

Q: Does the Core i7-8705G have a boost clock?

A: Yes, the Core i7-8705G has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Core i3-8350K has no listed boost clock.

Q: How do the thread counts differ?

A: The Core i3-8350K has 4 threads total (4 cores, 4 threads), while the Core i7-8705G has 8 threads (4 cores, 8 threads) due to Hyper-Threading support.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core i3-8350K supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-8705G does not.

Q: Are both processors built on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are fabricated on a 14 nm process at Intel, though they use different architectures (Coffee Lake for the i3-8350K, Kaby Lake for the i7-8705G).

Q: Which processor has a higher thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The Core i3-8350K has a TDP of 91 watts, while the Core i7-8705G has a TDP of 65 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-8705G is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads across all versions tested. For users running rendering tasks, 3D animation exports, or any sustained multi-threaded compute that resembles the Cinebench pipeline, the data shows the i7-8705G has a consistent 9 percent edge. Its 8 threads versus 4 threads likely play a role here, though the specification differences section covers that in detail. The single-core Cinebench wins also point to the i7-8705G having an advantage in lightly threaded rendering tasks.

The Core i3-8350K dominates in Geekbench, with a 25.8 percent multi-core lead and a 22.5 percent single-core lead. This suggests the i3-8350K is better suited for mixed workloads that include memory operations, cryptography, and integer tasks. The Geekbench results indicate a more responsive experience for general-purpose applications, database queries, and compression workloads. The higher base clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.10 GHz gives the i3-8350K a raw frequency advantage that likely matters in these latency-sensitive tests.

The market segments differ too. The i3-8350K is a desktop processor, while the i7-8705G is a mobile part. The i7-8705G fits into systems with a BGA 2270 socket, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard, typical of high-end laptops or compact all-in-one designs. The i3-8350K uses the standard Intel Socket 1151, which allows for user upgrades and replacement. The i7-8705G has a lower TDP at 65 watts, making it more suitable for thermally constrained mobile chassis, while the i3-8350K's 91 watt TDP is designed for desktop cooling solutions.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several core specifications. Both have 4 physical cores, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process, with die sizes of 126 mm² for the i3-8350K and 125 mm² for the i7-8705G.

The differences begin with threads. The i3-8350K has 4 threads, the i7-8705G has 8. Base clocks differ: 4.00 GHz versus 3.10 GHz. The i7-8705G adds a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the i3-8350K has no boost clock listed. TDP differs significantly: 91 watts versus 65 watts. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the i3-8350K, Intel BGA 2270 for the i7-8705G.

Memory support diverges on ECC: the i3-8350K supports ECC memory, the i7-8705G does not. PCIe lane allocation also differs: the i3-8350K provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-8705G provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are similar but not identical: the i3-8350K has UHD Graphics 630, the i7-8705G has Intel HD Graphics 630. The i3-8350K has an unlocked multiplier, the i7-8705G is locked. Market segments differ: Desktop versus Mobile.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is clear: the i3-8350K uses Coffee Lake, and the i7-8705G uses Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake G variant. Both are manufactured on the same 14 nm node at Intel, but the design goals diverge. Coffee Lake represents Intel's mainstream desktop architecture of that generation, optimized for high clock speeds and desktop power envelopes. Kaby Lake G is a specialized mobile variant designed to pair with discrete-class graphics in a single package, hence the BGA 2270 socket and the reduced PCIe lane count.

The generation labels reflect the same split: Core i3 (Coffee Lake) versus Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G). The i7-8705G's architectural lineage emphasizes power efficiency for mobile systems, evidenced by its 65 watt TDP. The i3-8350K's Coffee Lake design targets desktop performance with a 91 watt TDP. The unlocked multiplier on the i3-8350K indicates it is intended for enthusiast overclocking, a feature absent from the locked i7-8705G. The die sizes are nearly identical (126 mm² versus 125 mm²), suggesting similar transistor budgets, but the feature sets diverge in memory support and PCIe allocation.

The release dates differ as well: the i3-8350K launched on October 4, 2017, while the i7-8705G arrived on January 6, 2018. Both are now end-of-life products. The i3-8350K had a launch MSRP of $168; no MSRP is recorded for the i7-8705G. The part numbers are SR3N4 for the i3-8350K and SR3RK for the i7-8705G.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for workload-specific purchasing decisions. If the primary use case involves Cinebench-style rendering, the Intel Core i7-8705G is the stronger choice, offering a consistent 9 percent advantage across all three Cinebench versions. Its 8 threads provide better scaling in threaded rendering tasks, and the boost clock of 4.10 GHz helps sustain single-core rendering performance.

If the workload is more varied, closer to what Geekbench measures, the Intel Core i3-8350K is decisively better, with a 25.8 percent multi-core lead and a 22.5 percent single-core lead. The higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and the unlocked multiplier give it an edge for users who value raw frequency and overclocking headroom. The ECC memory support also makes the i3-8350K attractive for systems that require error-correcting memory, a feature the i7-8705G lacks.

The platform considerations are just as important. The i3-8350K uses the standard Socket 1151, allowing for motherboard selection and future upgrades. The i7-8705G is soldered via BGA 2270, locking it into a specific mobile or compact system. The i3-8350K also provides double the PCIe lanes (16 versus 8), which matters for discrete GPU configurations and high-bandwidth expansion cards.

Both processors sit at the 46th percentile of all CPUs and have near-identical average benchmark scores (2096 versus 2058). The choice is not about overall capability; it is about matching the processor to the workload and platform. Rendering-focused mobile users should choose the i7-8705G. Desktop builders needing ECC, overclocking, and Geekbench-friendly performance should choose the i3-8350K. The benchmark results indicate that neither processor is universally superior, and the right pick depends entirely on the application mix.