Core i3-8121U vs Core i5-3350P

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 i3-8121U vs Core i5-3350P 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 i3-8121U vs Core i5-3350P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8121U

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 69W, a 54W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,271 vs 4,314).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-3350P

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $189 MSRP, while Core i3-8121U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌360% higher power demand at 69W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3350P better than Core i3-8121U?

Yes. Core i5-3350P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3350P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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 i5-3350P is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-3350P is the better buy right now. Core i5-3350P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $189 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8121U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8121U vs Core i5-3350P Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8121U

The Core i3-8121U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,271 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-3350P

The Core i5-3350P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,314 points. Launch price was $292.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8121U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3350P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3350P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-8121U versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3350P — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-3350P (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-8121U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-3350P uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8121U scores 4,271 against the Core i5-3350P's 4,314 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-3350P. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8121U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3350P.

Feature	Core i3-8121U	Core i5-3350P
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.3 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.1 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,271	4,314+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,178	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,250	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8121U uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3350P uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8121U	Core i5-3350P
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8121U) / not specified (Core i5-3350P). Primary use case: Core i3-8121U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i3-8121U rivals Core i3-8130U.