Core i3-8350K vs Core i7-980

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 i7-980 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 i7-980: 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

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $333 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 133.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.6 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Draws 91W instead of 130W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-980 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-980

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,890 vs 6,911).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 27.6 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 91W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8350K better than Core i7-980?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-980 is ahead with a 4.1% 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 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-980 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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 $333 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-980 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 133.9% better value on MSRP (27.6 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8350K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8350K vs Core i7-980 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 i7-980

The Core i7-980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,890 points. Launch price was $1,109.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8350K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-980 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-980 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-8350K versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-8350K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Core i3-8350K uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-980 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8350K scores 6,911 against the Core i7-980's 6,890 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-8350K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8350K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Core i7-980
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+20%	3.33 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,911	6,890

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-980 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Core i7-980
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8350K was priced at $250, while the Core i7-980 came in at $583. On launch pricing ($250 vs $583), Core i3-8350K was $333 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8350K delivers 27.6 pts/$ vs 11.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-980 — making the Core i3-8350K the 80.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Core i7-980
MSRP	$250-57%	$583
Performance per Dollar	27.6+134%	11.8
Release Date	2017	2011

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