Core i3-9320 vs Core i7-8706G

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 i3-9320 vs Core i7-8706G 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 i3-9320 vs Core i7-8706G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9320

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 62W instead of 65W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8706G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,358 vs 7,383).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $154 MSRP, while Core i7-8706G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-8706G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8706G better than Core i3-9320?

Yes. Core i7-8706G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8706G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.1% 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 i7-8706G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 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 i7-8706G is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8706G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $154 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-9320 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 7,358 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Core i3-9320 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9320 vs Core i7-8706G Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9320

The Core i3-9320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,358 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8706G

The Core i7-8706G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,383 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-9320 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-8706G's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-9320 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8706G — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-9320 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-9320 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8706G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9320 scores 7,358 against the Core i7-8706G's 7,383 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-8706G. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9320 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8706G.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i7-8706G
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+19%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	7,358	7,383

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8706G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.