Core i3-8350K vs Core i7-7700HQ

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 i3-8350K vs Core i7-7700HQ 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 i3-8350K vs Core i7-7700HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8350K

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7700HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i7-7700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌102.2% higher power demand at 91W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-7700HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-7700HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 91W, a 46W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i3-8350K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,880 vs 6,911).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8350K better than Core i7-7700HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7700HQ is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8350K pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i3-8350K also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8350K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i3-8350K is the better buy right now. Core i3-8350K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-7700HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (27.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7700HQ is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i3-8350K vs Core i7-7700HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8350K

The Core i3-8350K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,911 points. Launch price was $168.

Core i7-7700HQ

The Core i7-7700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,880 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8350K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-7700HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-8350K versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700HQ — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-8350K (base: 4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-8350K uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8350K scores 6,911 against the Core i7-7700HQ's 6,880 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-8350K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8350K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700HQ.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Core i7-7700HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+5%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+43%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	6,911	6,880

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Core i7-7700HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-8350K) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7700HQ). The Core i7-7700HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-8350K requires a dedicated GPU.