Core i3-9350KF
Ryzen 7 3700X
Core i3-9350KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum
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 i3-9350KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i3-9350KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X: 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
2019Why buy it
- ✅Costs $156 less on MSRP ($173 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (7,602 vs 22,430).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.9 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($173 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ❌40% higher power demand at 91W vs 65W.
Ryzen 7 3700X
2019Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +87.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
- ✅Delivers 55.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 43.9 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $173 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 91W, a 26W reduction.
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌90.2% HIGHER MSRP$329 MSRPvs$173 MSRP
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i3-9350KF?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-9350KF vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.
Ryzen 7 3700X
The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.
Processing Power
The Core i3-9350KF packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-9350KF versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-9350KF (base: 4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-9350KF uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9350KF scores 7,602 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 98.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9350KF vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | Core i3-9350KF | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 16+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+5% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+11% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 32 MB+433% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 7,602 | 22,430+195% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-9350KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-9350KF | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i3-9350KF was priced at $173, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($173 vs $329), Core i3-9350KF was $156 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9350KF delivers 43.9 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 43.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-9350KF | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $173-47% | $329 |
| Performance per Dollar | 43.9 | 68.2+55% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2019 |
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