Core i5-3350P vs Core i3-8121U

Core i5-3350P

4 Cores4 Thrd69 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

Core i3-8121U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3350P

4 / 4

4,314

+1.0%

4,271

0.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-3350P is positioned at rank 730 and the Core i3-8121U is on rank 166, so the Core i3-8121U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3350P

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

13654%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

12901%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

9367%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2822%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2235%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1955%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1120%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1105%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1006%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1006%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

995%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

968%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

955%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

951%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

942%

#392

Celeron G4920

MSRP: $52|Avg: $115

97%

#730

Core i5-3350P

MSRP: $189|Avg: $25

100%

#732

Core i3-4350T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $20

100%

#733

Athlon II X4 641

MSRP: $102|Avg: $102

99%

#734

Athlon II X3 460

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

99%

#735

Pentium G2100T

MSRP: $75|Avg: $10

99%

#736

Core i5-3330

MSRP: $182|Avg: $21

99%

#737

Core i3-4330T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $15

99%

#738

Pentium E5300

MSRP: $62|Avg: $25

99%

#739

Athlon II X2 215

MSRP: $45|Avg: $10

98%

#740

Core i7-4790S

MSRP: $312|Avg: $60

98%

#741

FX-6100

MSRP: $165|Avg: $25

98%

#742

Pentium G2020T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $69

98%

#743

Core i7-4771

MSRP: $320|Avg: $78

98%

#745

Core i7-4770S

MSRP: $305|Avg: $35

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8121U

#154

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

343%

#155

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

338%

#156

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

311%

#157

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

309%

#158

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

306%

#160

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

296%

#161

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

284%

#162

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

283%

#163

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

276%

#166

Core i3-8121U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

99%

#176

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-8121U (2018) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3350P	Core i3-8121U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-3350P (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-3350P	Core i3-8121U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-3350P Benchmark Check

Core i3-8121U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3350P and Core i3-8121U

Core i5-3350P

The Core i5-3350P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,314 points. Launch price was $292.

Core i3-8121U

The Core i3-8121U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,271 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3350P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-8121U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3350P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3350P versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-8121U — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-3350P (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-3350P uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-8121U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3350P scores 4,314 against the Core i3-8121U's 4,271 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-3350P. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3350P vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8121U.

Feature	Core i5-3350P	Core i3-8121U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+41%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,314+1%	4,271
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,178
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,250

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3350P uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8121U uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3350P	Core i3-8121U
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3350P) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8121U). Primary use case: Core i3-8121U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i3-8121U rivals Core i3-8130U.