Core i3-7350K vs FX-8320E

CPU

GPU

Core i3-7350K

2 Cores4 Thrd60 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

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FX-8320E

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4 GHz2014

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Core i3-7350K vs FX-8320E Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7350K

2 / 4

4,886

0.0%

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

4,960

+1.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

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 i3-7350K vs FX-8320E 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 i3-7350K vs FX-8320E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7350K

2017

Why buy it

✅+58% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 60W instead of 95W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while FX-8320E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8320E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.3 vs 33.7 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $147 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8320E.

FX-8320E

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($147 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
✅Delivers 23.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 33.7 vs 27.3 PassMark/$ ($147 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7350K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,734 vs 2,740).
❌58.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 60W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7350K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7350K better than FX-8320E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8320E is ahead with a 10.5% 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 58% better Geekbench multi-core.

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 58% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7350K is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7350K comes in 21.8% more expensive on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $147 MSRP, and it still gives you 58% better Geekbench multi-core. FX-8320E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 23.6% better value on paper (33.7 vs 27.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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 a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7350K vs FX-8320E Technical Specifications

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

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.

FX-8320E

The FX-8320E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,960 points. Launch price was $147.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7350K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8320E offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8320E has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K versus 4 GHz on the FX-8320E — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-7350K (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-7350K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8320E uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7350K scores 4,886 against the FX-8320E's 4,960 — a 1.5% lead for the FX-8320E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,298 vs 439, a 98.9% lead for the Core i3-7350K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,740 vs 1,734 (45% advantage for the Core i3-7350K).

Feature	Core i3-7350K	FX-8320E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+31%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,886	4,960+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,100	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,298+196%	439
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,740+58%	1,734

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8320E uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7350K versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-8320E — the Core i3-7350K supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7350K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-7350K) vs 0 (FX-8320E) — the Core i3-7350K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z270,Intel Z170,Intel H270,Intel B250,Intel Q270,Intel Q250 (Core i3-7350K) and AMD 990FX,AMD 970 (FX-8320E).

Feature	Core i3-7350K	FX-8320E
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+29%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-7350K) vs AMD-V (FX-8320E). The Core i3-7350K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the FX-8320E requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	FX-8320E
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7350K was priced at $179, while the FX-8320E came in at $147. On launch pricing ($179 vs $147), FX-8320E was $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7350K delivers 27.3 pts/$ vs 33.7 pts/$ for the FX-8320E — making the FX-8320E the 21.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	FX-8320E
MSRP	$179	$147-18%
Performance per Dollar	27.3	33.7+23%
Release Date	2017	2014

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