Intel Core i3-9350KF vs Intel Core i5-10200H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two Intel parts is unusually lopsided. The Intel Core i5-10200H takes six of the eight recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF manages only two wins. The i5-10200H dominates every Cinebench iteration, both multi-core and single-core, with margins consistently around 7 percent. The i3-9350KF counters in Geekbench, where it wins the multi-core test by a razor-thin 0 percent delta and the single-core test by a substantial 12.2 percent.

The use case split follows the benchmark pattern. The i5-10200H is the stronger choice for sustained multi-threaded workloads that resemble Cinebench rendering tasks. Its hyper-threading, which provides 8 threads versus the i3's 4, gives it a clear edge in parallel compute. The i3-9350KF, by contrast, shows its strength in bursty, latency-sensitive single-thread scenarios, particularly those modeled by Geekbench's single-core test. The i3 also edges out the i5 in Geekbench multi-core, but by a negligible margin that falls within noise.

For mobile users, the i5-10200H offers a more complete package with integrated graphics and a 45 W TDP, making it suitable for laptops that need both CPU and GPU capability. The i3-9350KF is a desktop-only part with no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU, and its 91 W TDP reflects a higher power envelope. The data suggests the i5 is the all-rounder for portable workstations, while the i3 is a specialist for desktop users who prioritize raw single-thread responsiveness.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs share the same 14 nm process node from Intel, but they diverge significantly in every other architectural detail. The i5-10200H is built on Comet Lake-H, a mobile-oriented architecture, while the i3-9350KF uses Coffee Lake, a desktop refresh. The i5-10200H packs 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to hyper-threading, whereas the i3-9350KF offers 4 cores and 4 threads with no simultaneous multithreading.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The i3-9350KF runs a 4.00 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.60 GHz, far exceeding the i5-10200H's 2.40 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. This clockspeed advantage explains the i3's Geekbench single-core win. However, the i5-10200H compensates with a larger thread count and a more power-efficient 45 W TDP compared to the i3's 91 W.

Cache configurations also differ. The i5-10200H has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-9350KF offers 8 MB. Both have identical 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i3's larger L3 and higher clocks should theoretically favor it in cache-sensitive workloads, yet the Cinebench results tell a different story, suggesting the i5's thread advantage outweighs these factors.

Memory support separates the two as well. The i5-10200H supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The i3-9350KF supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a lower 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i5 also carries integrated UHD Graphics, while the i3 has none. The i3 does support ECC memory, a feature absent on the i5. Both use PCIe Gen 3, though the i3 specifies 16 lanes CPU-only. The i5-10200H is still in active production; the i3-9350KF is end-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite consistently favors the i5-10200H. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 684 against the i3's 640, a 6.9 percent advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the i5 at 96 versus 90, a 6.7 percent lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5 wins multi-core with 2853 against 2667 (7 percent) and single-core with 402 against 376 (6.9 percent). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: the i5 takes multi-core 6795 versus 6352 (7 percent) and single-core 959 versus 896 (7 percent).

The Geekbench tests flip the script. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-9350KF scores 4098 against the i5's 4096, a 0 percent delta that is effectively a tie. The Geekbench single-core test is the i3's clearest victory: 1534 versus 1347, a 12.2 percent margin in favor of the i3. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison.

These results indicate that the i5-10200H's hyper-threading provides a consistent ~7 percent uplift across Cinebench's rendering workloads, regardless of core count usage. The i3's higher clocks, however, give it a decisive edge in Geekbench's single-threaded test, where the i5's lower 2.40 GHz base clock becomes a liability. The near-tie in Geekbench multi-core suggests that the i3's clock advantage almost exactly cancels out the i5's thread advantage in that specific workload.

The database percentiles place the i5-10200H at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2154. The i3-9350KF sits at the 46th percentile with an average score of 2082. The i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-5950HQ (avg 2158, delta -0.2 percent), AMD Ryzen 3 3300X (avg 2148, delta 0.3 percent), Intel Core i5-7640X (avg 2167, delta -0.6 percent), and Intel Core i5-9400T (avg 2136, delta 0.9 percent). The i3's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon W-2123 (avg 2079, delta 0.2 percent), AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (avg 2086, delta -0.2 percent), Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 (avg 2076, delta 0.3 percent), and AMD Ryzen 7 1700X (avg 2094, delta -0.6 percent).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-10200H has 8 threads via hyper-threading, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF has only 4 threads.

Q: Why does the i3-9350KF win Geekbench single-core?

A: The i3-9350KF has a 4.00 GHz base clock and 4.60 GHz boost, far higher than the i5-10200H's 2.40 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. This results in a 12.2 percent win in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Does the i5-10200H support integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-10200H includes UHD Graphics. The i3-9350KF has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: What memory types does each CPU support?

A: The i5-10200H supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i3-9350KF supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The i3-9350KF has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-10200H has 6 MB.

Q: What is the production status of each CPU?

A: The i5-10200H is listed as active, while the i3-9350KF is end-of-life. The i3-9350KF has a launch MSRP of $173.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload and platform. The Intel Core i5-10200H is the better choice for anyone running Cinebench-style rendering tasks, as it holds a consistent 6.7 to 7 percent advantage across all six Cinebench tests. Its 8 threads, lower 45 W TDP, integrated graphics, and active production status make it a more versatile and future-proof option for mobile systems. The 47th percentile ranking and average score of 2154 place it marginally above the i3's 46th percentile and 2082 average.

The Intel Core i3-9350KF is the pick for single-threaded desktop workloads that resemble Geekbench's single-core test, where it wins by 12.2 percent. Its higher clocks and 8 MB L3 cache give it a burst-performance advantage that the i5 cannot match. However, the i3 is end-of-life, lacks integrated graphics, draws 91 W, and offers no hyper-threading. Its Geekbench multi-core win is a 0 percent delta, meaning it is statistically tied with the i5 in that test.

For a laptop user or anyone needing a balanced, power-efficient processor with graphics built in, the i5-10200H is the clear winner. For a desktop enthusiast who already owns a discrete GPU and prioritizes single-thread speed above all else, the i3-9350KF has a specific appeal, but its end-of-life status and higher power draw make it a less compelling long-term investment. The recorded data favors the i5-10200H in the majority of tests, and the overall benchmark scores confirm a slight but real edge in average performance.