Intel Core i5-8350U vs Intel Core i7-3770 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database paints a surprisingly clear picture: the Intel Core i7-3770, a desktop chip from 2012, beats the Intel Core i5-8350U, a mobile processor from 2017, in 14 of 17 head-to-head tests. The i7-3770 wins decisively in Cinebench across all versions and in most Passmark workloads, with its largest margins coming in data compression (32.1%), random string sorting (32%), and prime number finding (52.6%). Meanwhile, the i5-8350U only manages wins in three areas: data encryption, extended instructions, and floating point math, with margins of 10.1%, 14.6%, and 13.4% respectively. The data suggests that for anyone prioritizing sustained multi-core rendering or general desktop productivity, the older i7-3770 remains the stronger pick. The i5-8350U is the choice only when the workload leans heavily on newer instruction sets or encryption tasks, and when the lower power envelope of a mobile platform matters more than raw throughput. The i7-3770 holds a 66th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i5-8350U sits at 65th, a near tie in overall standing, yet the head-to-head results show the desktop part is consistently ahead in most compute-heavy scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The i7-3770 uses Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. It is a desktop part built for Intel Socket 1155, with a TDP of 77 watts. The i5-8350U uses Kaby Lake-R architecture on a 14 nm process, with a smaller die size of 123 mm² and no listed transistor count. It is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1356, with a TDP of just 15 watts, reflecting its ultrabook and thin-and-light laptop design target. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both share the same per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and per-core L2 cache of 256 KB. The key cache difference lies in L3: the i7-3770 has 8 MB shared, while the i5-8350U has 6 MB shared. Memory support differs as well: the i7-3770 uses DDR3 with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-8350U uses DDR4 with no listed memory bus or bandwidth in the database. The integrated graphics are also different, with the i7-3770 featuring Intel HD 4000 and the i5-8350U featuring UHD 620. The i7-3770 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-8350U has no listed PCIe information. The i7-3770 is marked end-of-life, while the i5-8350U is listed as active in production. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern of i7-3770 superiority. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3770 scores 549 against 521 for the i5-8350U, a 5.4% lead. Single-core R15 shows 77 versus 73, a 5.5% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap remains steady at 5.4% (2289 versus 2172), while single-core shows 322 versus 306, a 5.2% delta. Cinebench R23 follows the same trend: multi-core 5450 versus 5173 (5.4% ahead), and single-core 769 versus 730 (5.3% ahead). The consistency across all three Cinebench versions suggests the i7-3770's higher base and boost clocks (3.40 GHz base, 3.90 GHz boost) compared to the i5-8350U's 1.70 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost translate into a reliable advantage in both lightly threaded and fully threaded rendering tasks.

The Passmark suite reveals where the i5-8350U can fight back. Data encryption is a clear win for the mobile chip: 2075 versus 1866, a 10.1% advantage. Extended instructions also favor the i5-8350U: 5243 versus 4476, a 14.6% lead. Floating point math goes to the i5-8350U as well, with 13422 against 11628, a 13.4% margin. These wins likely stem from the newer Kaby Lake architecture's improved execution units and instruction handling. However, the i7-3770 dominates elsewhere. Data compression is a massive win: 105424 versus 79781, a 32.1% gap. Random string sorting shows a 32% lead (14060 versus 10651). Find prime numbers is the largest single delta at 52.6% (29 versus 19). Integer math is closer, with the i7-3770 ahead by 3.2% (22945 versus 22244). The multi-thread Passmark score shows 6414 versus 6129, a 4.7% lead, and physics testing gives the i7-3770 a 7% edge (458 versus 428). Single-thread Passmark results are 2073 versus 1996, a 3.9% advantage for the desktop chip.

Specification Differences

The database records several fields where the two processors differ directly. The i7-3770 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i5-8350U has a base clock of 1.70 GHz. Boost clocks are 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. TDP is a major divergence: 77 watts for the desktop chip versus 15 watts for the mobile chip. Socket types differ: Intel Socket 1155 for the i7-3770, Intel BGA 1356 for the i5-8350U. Architecture generation differs, with Ivy Bridge versus Kaby Lake. Process node is 22 nm versus 14 nm. Die size is 160 mm² versus 123 mm². Transistor count is listed only for the i7-3770 at 1,400 million; the i5-8350U has no listed value. L3 cache is 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared. Memory support is DDR3 versus DDR4. The i7-3770 lists memory bandwidth at 25.6 GB/s; the i5-8350U has no listed bandwidth. PCIe information exists only for the i7-3770 (Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4000 versus UHD 620. Release dates are 2012-04-28 versus 2017-08-20. Production status is end-of-life versus active. The i7-3770 has a launch MSRP of $278; the i5-8350U has no listed launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770 wins 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-8350U wins only 3.

Q: How large is the i7-3770's lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-3770 scores 5450 versus 5173 for the i5-8350U, a 5.4% advantage in multi-core performance.

Q: In which benchmark does the i5-8350U have its biggest win?

A: The i5-8350U's largest margin is in extended instructions, where it scores 5243 against 4476, a 14.6% lead over the i7-3770.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark delta between the two?

A: The find prime numbers test shows the largest gap, with the i7-3770 scoring 29 against 19 for the i5-8350U, a 52.6% difference.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both have 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core.

Q: How do their overall benchmark percentiles compare?

A: The i7-3770 sits at the 66th percentile among all CPUs, while the i5-8350U is at the 65th percentile, a nearly identical overall standing.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770 is the clear winner for workloads that depend on sustained multi-core throughput and memory bandwidth. Its Cinebench results across R15, R20, and R23 all favor it by roughly 5% in both single and multi-core tests. In data compression, the i7-3770 is 32.1% ahead, making it the better choice for archiving, database compression, or any task that hammers memory and cache throughput. Random string sorting shows a 32% lead, indicating strong performance in sorting and data organization tasks. The find prime numbers test, with a 52.6% edge, points to superior integer arithmetic in certain algorithmic workloads. Physics simulation also favors the i7-3770 by 7%, which may matter for older game engines or simulation software that rely on CPU physics. The desktop platform's 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and 8 MB L3 cache likely underpin these wins.

The i5-8350U wins in three specific areas that reflect its newer architecture. Data encryption shows a 10.1% advantage, meaning the mobile chip handles cryptographic workloads more efficiently. Extended instructions are 14.6% ahead, suggesting the Kaby Lake core executes newer SIMD and instruction set extensions faster. Floating point math is 13.4% better, which could benefit certain scientific or financial calculations that rely heavily on FPU throughput. These wins, however, are narrower in absolute terms and come in fewer test categories.

Looking at the broader picture, the i7-3770's 14 wins versus the i5-8350U's 3 wins indicate that raw clock speed and desktop-class power delivery still matter more than architectural age in most measured workloads. The i5-8350U's 15-watt TDP and mobile design make it the sensible pick for laptops where battery life and thermals are the priority, but the data shows no scenario where the mobile chip overtakes the desktop part in rendering, compression, sorting, or general multi-threaded compute. The i7-3770 is the stronger overall performer in the recorded benchmarks, with the i5-8350U offering a narrow but real edge in encryption, extended instructions, and floating point math. For anyone building a desktop system or upgrading an older socket 1155 platform, the i7-3770 remains a capable choice. For mobile users who need those specific instruction-heavy or encryption workloads, the i5-8350U has a place, but it does not dethrone the older desktop chip in most tests.