Core i7-3820 vs Ryzen 3 3350U

Intel

Core i7-3820

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012
VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 3350U

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2019

Core i7-3820 vs Ryzen 3 3350U 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 i7-3820 vs Ryzen 3 3350U 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 i7-3820 vs Ryzen 3 3350U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +18.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+150% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 4 MB).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $286 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 3350U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌6400% higher power demand at 130W vs 2W.

Ryzen 3 3350U

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 2W instead of 130W, a 128W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3820 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (5,732 vs 5,787).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 10 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3820 better than Ryzen 3 3350U?
Yes. Core i7-3820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.2% 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, Core i7-3820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-3820 is the better buy right now. Core i7-3820 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $286 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 setup, Ryzen 3 3350U can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 3350U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3820 vs Ryzen 3 3350U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011βˆ’2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

AMD

Ryzen 3 3350U

The Ryzen 3 3350U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MBΒ +Β 4 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 5,732 points. Launch price was $149.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i7-3820 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 3 3350U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 versus 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3350U β€” a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-3820 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011βˆ’2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 3 3350U uses Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820 scores 5,787 against the Ryzen 3 3350U's 5,732 β€” a 1% lead for the Core i7-3820. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820 vs 4 MB on the Ryzen 3 3350U.

FeatureCore i7-3820Ryzen 3 3350U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz+9%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+71%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
10240 kB (total)+150%
4 MB
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2 MB+700%
Process
32 nm
12 nm-63%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge-E (2011βˆ’2013)
Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019)
PassMark
5,787
5,732
Geekbench 6 Single
624
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 3 3350U uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-3820Ryzen 3 3350U
Socket
LGA2011
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
4
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
40
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820) / not specified (Ryzen 3 3350U). Primary use case: Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.

FeatureCore i7-3820Ryzen 3 3350U
Integrated GPU
No
β€”
IGPU Model
None
β€”
Unlocked
Yes
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
β€”
Target Use
HEDT Desktop
β€”