Core i3-8350K
CPU·Budget

Core i3-8350K

Intel

PassMark

6,911

MSRP

$250

AVG Price

$250

5 October 2017 (8 years ago)
91 Watt
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Overview

The Core i3-8350K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 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 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 6,911 points. Launch price was $168.

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.

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 i3-8350K

#865
Athlon X4 750
MSRP: $95|Avg: $95
105%
#866
Pentium G3258
MSRP: $75|Avg: $72
104%
#867
Celeron 2.80
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
103%
#868
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999
103%
#869
Celeron 420
MSRP: $39|Avg: $15
102%
#870
Core i5-2405S
MSRP: $309|Avg: $120
102%
#871
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
MSRP: $3990|Avg: $2850
101%
#872
Athlon 64 2800+
MSRP: $178|Avg: $15
101%
#873
Core i5-4670K
MSRP: $328|Avg: $200
101%
#874
Celeron G4900
MSRP: $42|Avg: $85
101%
#875
Celeron D 352
MSRP: $69|Avg: $15
101%
#876
Core i3-4350
MSRP: $138|Avg: $130
101%
#877
Ryzen Embedded V3C18I
MSRP: $500|Avg: $500
100%
#878
A10-7860K
MSRP: $117|Avg: N/A
100%
#879
Pentium G6951
MSRP: $89|Avg: $50
100%
#880
Core i3-8350K
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
100%
#881
Athlon 64 3400+
MSRP: $440|Avg: $20
99%
#882
Celeron G3900T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $70
98%
#883
Celeron G540T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $42
98%
#884
Ryzen Embedded V1807B
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
97%
#885
Celeron 2.40
MSRP: $69|Avg: $13
96%
#886
Pentium 4 2.53
MSRP: $193|Avg: $13
96%
#887
Ryzen Embedded R2312
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
95%
#888
Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
MSRP: $4999|Avg: $5200
95%
#889
Core i3-3220
MSRP: $117|Avg: $88
94%
#890
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
MSRP: $1799|Avg: $1247
93%
#891
Core i5-670
MSRP: $284|Avg: $100
92%
#892
Core i7-5930K
MSRP: $583|Avg: $410
91%
#893
Phenom II X3 720
MSRP: $130|Avg: $64
90%
#894
Sempron 3100+
MSRP: $65|Avg: $15
90%
#895
Core i7-3770S
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
89%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Core i3-8350K across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra149 FPS
1440p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high161 FPS
ultra132 FPS
4k
low173 FPS
medium149 FPS
high121 FPS
ultra92 FPS
Delta Force

Delta Force

1080p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra173 FPS
1440p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra171 FPS
4k
low139 FPS
medium110 FPS
high102 FPS
ultra89 FPS
Destiny 2

Destiny 2

1080p
low101 FPS
medium88 FPS
high61 FPS
ultra36 FPS
1440p
low56 FPS
medium45 FPS
high34 FPS
ultra18 FPS
4k
low32 FPS
medium24 FPS
high16 FPS
ultra11 FPS
Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy

1080p
low160 FPS
medium141 FPS
high111 FPS
ultra76 FPS
1440p
low112 FPS
medium100 FPS
high82 FPS
ultra58 FPS
4k
low67 FPS
medium59 FPS
high48 FPS
ultra41 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra173 FPS
1440p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra173 FPS
4k
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra154 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra173 FPS
1440p
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra173 FPS
4k
low173 FPS
medium173 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra173 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low173 FPS
medium162 FPS
high128 FPS
ultra90 FPS
1440p
low173 FPS
medium137 FPS
high106 FPS
ultra75 FPS
4k
low74 FPS
medium63 FPS
high48 FPS
ultra38 FPS
Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid

1080p
low173 FPS
medium159 FPS
high126 FPS
ultra106 FPS
1440p
low173 FPS
medium125 FPS
high98 FPS
ultra90 FPS
4k
low153 FPS
medium94 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra64 FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2

1080p
low109 FPS
medium71 FPS
high49 FPS
ultra32 FPS
1440p
low69 FPS
medium53 FPS
high39 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low35 FPS
medium25 FPS
high20 FPS
ultra15 FPS
Roblox

Roblox

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Core i3-8350K specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Core i3-8350K is a 4-core / 4-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 4 GHz from a base frequency of 4 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 8 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 256K (per core) of L2 cache and 64K (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 6,911, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationCore i3-8350K
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units4C / 4T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost4 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency4 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designCoffee Lake (2017−2019)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient14 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores8 MB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256K (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache64K (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor126 mm2
Bus SpeedData bus frequency4 × 8 GT/s
Max TemperatureMaximum safe operating temperature (Tjmax)100 °C
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleYes
Unlocked MultiplierWhether the CPU can be overclockedYes (Overclockable)
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score6,911
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8350K fits into the LGA1151 socket and supports PCIe 3.0. It supports DDR4-2400 memory.

SpecificationCore i3-8350K
TypeDesktop or Laptop processordesktop
SeriesProduct familyIntel Core i3
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA1151
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 3.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR4-2400
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1 (Uniprocessor)
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Core i3-8350K has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 91 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationCore i3-8350K
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload91 Watt
Max TemperatureMaximum safe junction temperature (Tjmax)100 °C
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $250, the Core i3-8350K delivers 28 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #1597 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationCore i3-8350K
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$250
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$250
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$168
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#1597
Release DateLaunch date5 October 2017 (8 years ago)
Release Year2017
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

8 specs

Typedesktop
SeriesIntel Core i3
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$168
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date5 October 2017 (8 years ago)
Architecture CodenameCoffee Lake (2017−2019)
Performance Ranking Position1597

Technical Specifications

17 specs

Cores4
Threads4
Bus TypeDMI 3.0
Die Size126 mm2
L1 Cache64K (per core)
L2 Cache256K (per core)
L3 Cache8 MB (total)
Bus Speed4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier40
Max Frequency4 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency4 GHz
Process Technology14 nm
Unlocked Multiplier+
Max Core Temperature100 °C
Windows 11 Compatible+
Max Case Temperature (TCase)72 °C

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA1151
PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0
Power Consumption (TDP)91 Watt
Max Processors In Config1 (Uniprocessor)

Memory

5 specs

RAM TypesDDR4-2400
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth38.397 GB/s
ECC Memory Support+
Max Memory Capacity64 GB

Our Recommendation for Core i3-8350K

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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