CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8350K vs Intel Core i3-9100F
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-8350K is an unlocked 8th-generation desktop processor that holds the distinction of being the first-ever Core i3 to feature an unlocked multiplier, aimed at budget overclocking enthusiasts.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Overclocking does not add threads. For heavily threaded productivity work, a stock 6-core CPU will easily beat an overclocked 4-core i3.
Acceptable for single-task office work, but heavy browser multitasking will saturate the 4 threads quickly.
Gaming
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.
Can handle older esports titles well, but modern AAA games will stutter due to the 4-thread limitation.
Virtualization
4 threads is a hard limit for virtualization, regardless of how fast those threads run.
4 threads are insufficient to run a modern OS and a useful virtual machine simultaneously.
Efficiency
Terrible efficiency. Pushing 1.3V+ through 14nm silicon to hit 5.0 GHz results in massive power draw and heat.
The 14nm process draws more power than modern alternatives for the level of performance delivered.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- High clock speed cannot compensate for lack of AI instructions
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions required for modern AI inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- Delivers playable frame rates in CS:GO, Valorant, and League of Legends
- Severely bottlenecked in modern titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield
- System will not post without a discrete GPU installed
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Strong single-core clock speeds for its era
- Low $122 launch price made PC gaming accessible
- 65 W TDP is easy to cool
- No iGPU means no wasted power on unused silicon
- Compatible with cheap H310/B360 motherboards
Cons
- Only 4 threads severely limit modern performance
- No integrated graphics means a dead system if the dGPU fails
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions
- Memory artificially limited to DDR4-2400 MT/s
- Outperformed by cheaper used AMD Ryzen 5 parts
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i3-9100F
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AFRival
Budget AM4
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Entry-Level AM4
- Intel Core i3-10100FRival
Next-Gen Budget
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GRival
Budget APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9400FRival
Mainstream Budget
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Alt
A modern 6-core/12-thread processor that redefines budget gaming.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
If found on sale, offers a massive performance leap over the 9100F.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewThe i3-9100F offered decent single-core speed for its price in 2019, but the lack of Hyper-Threading made it age poorly compared to AMD's 6-core/12-thread alternatives.
Best for: You should only consider the i3-9100F today if you are repairing an existing LGA 1151 gaming PC and can find the chip for under $20 on the used market. It can serve as a stopgap to keep an older system running esports titles. If you are building a new PC, even the cheapest modern alternatives like the i3-12100F will completely obliterate it in performance. Do not buy this new.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-8350K or Intel Core i3-9100F?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-9100F comes out ahead with a score of 5.5/10. 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 i3-8350K or Intel Core i3-9100F?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9100F leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i3-8350K and Intel Core i3-9100F.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-9100F has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-8350K (91 W), Intel Core i3-9100F (65 W).
Do Intel Core i3-8350K and Intel Core i3-9100F use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-9100F posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-9100F (5,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.