Intel Core i3-9350KF vs Intel Core i7-1160G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 and Intel Core i3-9350KF occupy different corners of the processor market: one is a low-power mobile chip from Tiger Lake, the other a desktop part from Coffee Lake. The recorded head-to-head data, however, tells a surprisingly one-sided story. Across every Cinebench test in the database, the i7-1160G7 finishes ahead, and by a nearly identical margin each time. That consistency invites a closer look at what the numbers imply about architecture, thread count, and clock speed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head table contains six Cinebench runs, and the i7-1160G7 wins all of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 740 against the i3's 640, a 15.6% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 104 versus 90, again 15.6%. Moving to R20, the i7 posts 3084 multi-core and 435 single-core, while the i3 manages 2667 and 376, with deltas of 15.6% and 15.7% respectively. The R23 results continue the trend: 7343 versus 6352 in multi-core, and 1036 versus 896 in single-core, both at 15.6%.

What stands out is the uniformity of the margin. Whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, the i7 leads by roughly the same percentage. That suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a quirk of one test. The i3-9350KF actually has a higher base clock (4.00 GHz versus 1.20 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.40 GHz), yet it still loses every round. The i7 compensates with twice the threads (8 versus 4) and a newer 10 nm process compared to the i3's 14 nm. The data implies that raw clock speed alone does not determine Cinebench performance; the i7's Willow Cove cores and larger caches appear to deliver more work per cycle.

It is also notably the i3-9350KF has additional Geekbench scores in the database (4098 multi-core, 1534 single-core), but the i7-1160G7 does not have corresponding Geekbench entries. The head-to-head comparison therefore rests entirely on Cinebench, where the i7's dominance is unambiguous. The average benchmark scores for the two chips are close (2124 for the i7, 2082 for the i3), but that average includes different test sets. The direct comparison shows a clear winner.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i7-1160G7 is the superior processor. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with a consistent 15.6% to 15.7% advantage over the i3-9350KF. The i3 has no wins in the head-to-head table. For anyone choosing between these two based on the benchmark results, the i7 is the obvious pick.

That said, the two chips serve different market segments. The i7 is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, while the i3 is a desktop part with a 91 W TDP. The i3 has a higher boost clock and supports ECC memory, which may matter for specific professional workloads. But in the Cinebench tests that the database records, the i7's architectural efficiency and extra threads overcome the i3's clock advantage. The i7 also carries a higher launch MSRP of $426, compared to the i3's $173, but the performance lead is substantial and consistent.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-1160G7 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) with scores of 740, 3084, and 7343, versus the i3-9350KF's 640, 2667, and 6352. The margin is 15.6% in each case.

Q: Does the i3-9350KF have a higher clock speed?

A: Yes. The i3 has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the i7 has a base of 1.20 GHz and a boost of 4.40 GHz. Despite this, the i7 still wins every Cinebench test.

Q: How many threads does each processor have?

A: The i7-1160G7 has 8 threads (4 cores with Hyper-Threading), while the i3-9350KF has 4 threads (4 cores without Hyper-Threading).

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i7-1160G7 has integrated graphics: Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units. The i3-9350KF has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the difference in memory support?

A: The i7 supports LPDDR4X memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i3 supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i3 also supports ECC memory, while the i7 does not.

Q: Are both processors end-of-life?

A: Yes, both are marked as end-of-life in the database. The i7 was released on 2020-09-01, and the i3 on 2019-01-07.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification except core count and manufacturer. Here are the key differences:

• Threads: 8 (i7) versus 4 (i3)
• Base clock: 1.20 GHz (i7) versus 4.00 GHz (i3)
• Boost clock: 4.40 GHz (i7) versus 4.60 GHz (i3)
• TDP: 15 W (i7) versus 91 W (i3)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1598 (i7) versus Intel Socket 1151 (i3)
• Process node: 10 nm (i7) versus 14 nm (i3)
• Die size: 144 mm² (i7) versus 126 mm² (i3)
• L1 cache per core: 80 KB (i7) versus 64 KB (i3)
• L2 cache per core: 1.25 MB (i7) versus 256 KB (i3)
• L3 cache (shared): 12 MB (i7) versus 8 MB (i3)
• Memory support: LPDDR4X (i7) versus DDR4 (i3)
• Memory bandwidth: 34.1 GB/s (i7) versus 38.4 GB/s (i3)
• ECC memory: No (i7) versus Yes (i3)
• PCIe: Gen 4, 4 lanes (i7) versus Gen 3, 16 lanes (i3)
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe-LP 96EU (i7) versus None (i3)
• Market segment: Mobile (i7) versus Desktop (i3)
• Release date: 2020-09-01 (i7) versus 2019-01-07 (i3)
• Launch MSRP: $426 (i7) versus $173 (i3)
• Part number: SRK0E (i7) versus SRF7V (i3)

Architecture Differences

The i7-1160G7 is built on Intel's Tiger Lake architecture, specifically the Willow Cove core design, fabricated on a 10 nm process. The i3-9350KF uses the older Coffee Lake architecture (Coffee Lake Refresh) on a 14 nm process. This generational gap explains many of the performance differences. The i7's Willow Cove cores feature a larger L1 cache (80 KB per core versus 64 KB) and a dramatically larger L2 cache (1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB). The shared L3 cache also favors the i7: 12 MB versus 8 MB.

The i7 also includes integrated graphics, which the i3 lacks entirely. The i7's Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units is a significant feature for systems without a discrete GPU. The i3, being a desktop part, is expected to pair with a separate graphics card.

Memory support differs as well. The i7 uses LPDDR4X, a low-power memory type suited for mobile devices, while the i3 uses standard DDR4. The i3 has a higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s) and supports ECC, which is useful for error-sensitive workloads. The i7's PCIe implementation is Gen 4 with 4 lanes, while the i3 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, giving the i3 more expansion capability for desktop peripherals.

The TDP difference is stark: 15 W for the i7 versus 91 W for the i3. This reflects the i7's mobile design, which prioritizes efficiency, while the i3 is built for sustained desktop performance. The i7's lower TDP does not prevent it from winning the Cinebench tests, which confirms the efficiency of the newer architecture.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the i7-1160G7 wins every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core. That means it is the better choice for any workload that relies on CPU rendering or similar compute tasks as measured by Cinebench. The i7's advantage is consistent at about 15.6%, so it is not a narrow victory.

The i3-9350KF, however, has strengths that are not captured in the head-to-head benchmarks. It supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not, making it suitable for systems that require data integrity. It also has more PCIe lanes (16 versus 4) and a higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s), which could benefit certain storage or networking configurations. The i3's higher base and boost clocks might also help in lightly threaded tasks that are not represented in the Cinebench suite, though the single-core Cinebench results suggest the i7's architecture is more efficient per clock.

In summary, the i7-1160G7 is the clear winner in the head-to-head Cinebench data. The i3-9350KF offers features like ECC and more PCIe lanes, but those do not translate into benchmark wins. For users who prioritize raw CPU performance as measured by Cinebench, the i7 is the superior choice. For those who need ECC or extensive PCIe connectivity, the i3 may still be relevant, but the data shows it trails in every direct comparison.