Core i3-10325 vs Core i9-8950HK

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-10325 vs Core i9-8950HK FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10325 vs Core i9-8950HK: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10325

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-8950HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,291 vs 10,373).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $154 MSRP, while Core i9-8950HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i9-8950HK

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-8950HK better than Core i3-10325?

Yes. Core i9-8950HK is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-8950HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-8950HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-8950HK is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-10325 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-8950HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $154 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10325 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10325 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10325 vs Core i9-8950HK Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10325

The Core i3-10325 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,291 points. Launch price was $154.

Core i9-8950HK

The Core i9-8950HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,373 points. Launch price was $583.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10325 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i9-8950HK offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-8950HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-10325 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-8950HK — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-8950HK (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-10325 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-8950HK uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10325 scores 10,291 against the Core i9-8950HK's 10,373 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-8950HK. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10325 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i9-8950HK.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i9-8950HK
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.8 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+34%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	10,291	10,373

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10325 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-8950HK uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.