Core i3-9350KF vs Ryzen 7 5700X

Intel

Core i3-9350KF

4 Cores4 Thrd91 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2019
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core i3-9350KF vs Ryzen 7 5700X 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 5700X 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 Ryzen 7 5700X: 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

  • Costs $126 less on MSRP ($173 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (7,602 vs 26,609).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.9 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($173 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • 40% higher power demand at 91W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +81.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Delivers 102.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 43.9 PassMark/$ ($299 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

  • 72.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $299 MSRPvs$173 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i3-9350KF?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 81.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 250% 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, Ryzen 7 5700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 81.8% 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, Ryzen 7 5700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 250% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in 72.8% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $173 MSRP, and it still gives you a 81.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 102.5% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 43.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 Ryzen 7 5700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i3-9350KF packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-9350KF versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — identical boost frequencies (base: 4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-9350KF uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9350KF scores 7,602 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 111.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9350KF vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

FeatureCore i3-9350KFRyzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
4.6 GHz
Base Clock
4 GHz+18%
3.4 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
7,602
26,609+250%
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,116
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,715
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9350KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-9350KFRyzen 7 5700X
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
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9350KF) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

FeatureCore i3-9350KFRyzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9350KF was priced at $173, while the Ryzen 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($173 vs $299), Core i3-9350KF was $126 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9350KF delivers 43.9 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 67.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-9350KFRyzen 7 5700X
MSRP
$173-42%
$299
Performance per Dollar
43.9
89.0+103%
Release Date
2019
2022

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