CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i3-8350K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-9600K is a 6-core, 6-thread unlocked desktop processor from the Coffee Lake Refresh family, featuring high clock speeds and integrated graphics for mainstream gamers.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Lacks threads for heavy productivity.
Overclocking does not add threads. For heavily threaded productivity work, a stock 6-core CPU will easily beat an overclocked 4-core i3.
Gaming
Still performs well in gaming when overclocked.
At stock speeds, it is comparable to other 8th-gen i3s. When overclocked to 5.0 GHz+, it can match stock i5s in eSports titles, but the lack of threads hurts in modern AAA games.
Virtualization
Not ideal due to 6 thread limit.
4 threads is a hard limit for virtualization, regardless of how fast those threads run.
Efficiency
Can draw significant power when pushed to 5GHz.
Terrible efficiency. Pushing 1.3V+ through 14nm silicon to hit 5.0 GHz results in massive power draw and heat.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- No AI acceleration
- High clock speed cannot compensate for lack of AI instructions
Content Creation
Gaming
- Excellent single-core speed
- Often hits 5GHz
- Bottlenecked by 6 threads in new games
- Requires heavy overclocking to be relevant
- High clock speeds benefit older eSports titles
- 4 cores/4 threads is a severe limitation for modern AAA gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Unlocked for overclocking
- Soldered IHS for great thermals
- High single-core speed
- Includes integrated graphics
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading
- 95W TDP requires good cooling
- End-of-life platform
- Struggles in modern multi-threaded games
Pros
- First unlocked i3, historic significance
- Massive overclocking headroom (5.0 GHz+ on air)
- 8MB L3 cache aids high-frequency stability
- Fun project chip for hardware enthusiasts
- High stock clock of 4.0 GHz
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading (4 cores, 4 threads only)
- Requires expensive Z-series motherboard
- Terrible power efficiency when overclocked
- Outperformed by cheaper locked 6-core CPUs
- Obsolete LGA 1151 v2 platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-9600K
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600XRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8600KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Rival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700Rival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700Rival
Enthusiast Desktop
Adds Hyper-Threading for better multi-threading.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Modern budget king with much better performance.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600XAlt
Massive single-core upgrade.
Cheaper variant if you already have a GPU.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-8350K
- AMD Ryzen 3 1300XRival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- Intel Core i3-8350KRival
Budget Enthusiast
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Offers 12 threads and modern platform features, destroying the 8350K in productivity and gaming for less total cost.
If you want to overclock on LGA 1151 v2, this gives you 6 cores to play with.
Compare head-to-headA modern budget king that doesn't need an expensive motherboard to perform well.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Alt
Offers 8 threads and PCIe 4.0 on a budget platform, making the 8350K obsolete.
Our Verdict on Each
A legendary overclocker that dominated 1080p gaming in its era, though its 6-thread limitation shows its age in modern multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Upgrading an existing Z390/Z370 system
Read the full reviewA fun overclocking toy in 2017, but the lack of Hyper-Threading and a high 91W TDP make it a poor value compared to even cheap modern chips.
Best for: You should avoid buying the Intel Core i3-8350K unless you are a dedicated overclocking hobbyist looking for a cheap project chip to practice manual tuning, delidding, or extreme cooling on. If you fall into that niche, buying a used 8350K for $20 and pushing it to 5.0 GHz can be incredibly fun and educational. However, for any practical use case—gaming, work, or productivity—this chip is a poor investment. It requires an expensive Z370 or Z390 motherboard to utilize its only feature (overclocking), yet a locked Ryzen 5 3600 on a cheap B450 board will destroy it in every multi-threaded benchmark while using less power. The lack of Hyper-Threading is a fatal flaw that no amount of frequency can fix. Spend your money on modern hardware.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-9600K or Intel Core i3-8350K?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-9600K comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-9600K or Intel Core i3-8350K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-9600K leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-9600K and Intel Core i3-8350K.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-8350K has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-9600K (95 W), Intel Core i3-8350K (91 W).
Do Intel Core i5-9600K and Intel Core i3-8350K use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-9600K has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-9600K (6 cores), Intel Core i3-8350K (4 cores).