Core i3-9350KF vs Core i7-5950HQ

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 i7-5950HQ 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 i7-5950HQ: 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: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,602 vs 7,667).
❌Launch MSRP is still $173 MSRP, while Core i7-5950HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌93.6% higher power demand at 91W vs 47W.

Core i7-5950HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 91W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9350KF better than Core i7-5950HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-9350KF is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5950HQ pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5950HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-9350KF is the better buy right now. Core i3-9350KF comes in at an unclear MSRP at $173 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-5950HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (43.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9350KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9350KF vs Core i7-5950HQ 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 i7-5950HQ

The Core i7-5950HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 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: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,667 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9350KF packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-5950HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-9350KF versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-5950HQ — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i3-9350KF (base: 4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-9350KF uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5950HQ uses Broadwell-H (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9350KF scores 7,602 against the Core i7-5950HQ's 7,667 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-5950HQ. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-9350KF	Core i7-5950HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+21%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+38%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Broadwell-H (2015)
PassMark	7,602	7,667

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9350KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5950HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.