Core i3-7320 vs Core i3-7350K

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 i3-7320 vs Core i3-7350K 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 i3-7320 vs Core i3-7350K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7320

2017

Why buy it

✅+6.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
✅Delivers 78.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.8 vs 27.3 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 60W, a 9W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7350K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,831 vs 4,886).

Core i3-7350K

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,298 vs 1,388).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.3 vs 48.8 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
❌17.6% higher power demand at 60W vs 51W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7320.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7320 better than Core i3-7350K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-7320 is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7350K pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7350K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7320 is the better buy right now. Core i3-7320 comes in $80 cheaper on MSRP at $99 MSRP versus $179 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-7350K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 78.8% better value on MSRP (48.8 vs 27.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-7350K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7320 vs Core i3-7350K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7320

The Core i3-7320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,831 points. Launch price was $157.

Core i3-7350K

The Core i3-7350K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,886 points. Launch price was $179.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7320 and Core i3-7350K share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-7320 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-7350K (base: 4.1 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). Both are built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-7320 scores 4,831 against the Core i3-7350K's 4,886 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-7350K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,388 vs 1,298, a 6.7% lead for the Core i3-7320 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-7320	Core i3-7350K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+2%
Base Clock	4.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,831	4,886+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,100
Geekbench 6 Single	1,388+7%	1,298
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,740

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B250,H270,Z270,Q250,Q270 (Core i3-7320) and Intel Z270,Intel Z170,Intel H270,Intel B250,Intel Q270,Intel Q250 (Core i3-7350K).

Feature	Core i3-7320	Core i3-7350K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7320) vs true (Core i3-7350K). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7320) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7350K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7320 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7320 rivals Ryzen 3 1300X.

Feature	Core i3-7320	Core i3-7350K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7320 was priced at $99, while the Core i3-7350K came in at $179. On launch pricing ($99 vs $179), Core i3-7320 was $80 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7320 delivers 48.8 pts/$ vs 27.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-7350K — making the Core i3-7320 the 56.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7320	Core i3-7350K
MSRP	$99-45%	$179
Performance per Dollar	48.8+79%	27.3
Release Date	2017	2017

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