Core i3-9350K vs Ryzen 3 2300X

Core i3-9350K vs Ryzen 3 2300X Performance Spectrum

Core i3-9350K

4 / 4

7,596

+0.4%

7,564

0.0%

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

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 i3-9350K vs Ryzen 3 2300X 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 i3-9350K vs Ryzen 3 2300X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9350K

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 41.3 vs 58.6 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
❌40% higher power demand at 91W vs 65W.

Ryzen 3 2300X

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $55 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 58.6 vs 41.3 PassMark/$ ($129 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 91W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-9350K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,564 vs 7,596).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9350K better than Ryzen 3 2300X?

Yes. Core i3-9350K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-9350K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.9% 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 i3-9350K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% 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 i3-9350K is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i3-9350K comes in 42.6% more expensive on MSRP at $184 MSRP versus $129 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 2300X 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 7,564 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 i3-9350K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9350K vs Ryzen 3 2300X Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9350K

The Core i3-9350K 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 7,596 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen 3 2300X

The Ryzen 3 2300X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 7,564 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-9350K and Ryzen 3 2300X share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-9350K versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 2300X — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-9350K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-9350K uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 2300X uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9350K scores 7,596 against the Ryzen 3 2300X's 7,564 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-9350K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9350K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 2300X.

Feature	Core i3-9350K	Ryzen 3 2300X
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+10%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,596	7,564

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 2300X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9350K	Ryzen 3 2300X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9350K was priced at $184, while the Ryzen 3 2300X came in at $129. On launch pricing ($184 vs $129), Ryzen 3 2300X was $55 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9350K delivers 41.3 pts/$ vs 58.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 2300X — making the Ryzen 3 2300X the 34.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9350K	Ryzen 3 2300X
MSRP	$184	$129-30%
Performance per Dollar	41.3	58.6+42%
Release Date	2019	2018

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