Core i3-9350KF vs Core i5-1035G4

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 i3-9350KF vs Core i5-1035G4 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 i3-9350KF vs Core i5-1035G4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9350KF

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,602 vs 7,658).
❌Launch MSRP is still $173 MSRP, while Core i5-1035G4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌506.7% higher power demand at 91W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1035G4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-1035G4

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 91W, a 76W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics G4, while Core i3-9350KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-9350KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1035G4 better than Core i3-9350KF?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-9350KF is ahead with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1035G4 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1035G4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-1035G4 is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1035G4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $173 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i3-9350KF 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 7,602 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 i5-1035G4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9350KF vs Core i5-1035G4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9350KF

The Core i3-9350KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 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: 7,602 points. Launch price was $173.

Core i5-1035G4

The Core i5-1035G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,658 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9350KF packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i5-1035G4's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-9350KF versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-1035G4 — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-9350KF (base: 4 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-9350KF uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-1035G4 uses Ice Lake (Client) (2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9350KF scores 7,602 against the Core i5-1035G4's 7,658 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-1035G4. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-9350KF	Core i5-1035G4
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+24%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+264%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)
PassMark	7,602	7,658
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,332
Geekbench 6 Single	—	922
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,919

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9350KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-1035G4 uses FCBGA1526 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9350KF	Core i5-1035G4
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1526
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9350KF) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1035G4). The Core i5-1035G4 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics G4), while the Core i3-9350KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1035G4 targets Ultra-portable laptops. Direct competitor: Core i5-1035G4 rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.