CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8350K vs Intel Core i5-2450P
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.
Slightly faster than the i5-2400 in CPU-bound legacy tasks.
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.
Excellent for pre-2015 games when paired with a capable mid-range GPU.
Virtualization
4 threads is a hard limit for virtualization, regardless of how fast those threads run.
Good for headless server virtualization where iGPU is not needed.
Efficiency
Terrible efficiency. Pushing 1.3V+ through 14nm silicon to hit 5.0 GHz results in massive power draw and heat.
More efficient per watt than GPU-enabled Sandy Bridge parts under CPU load.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- High clock speed cannot compensate for lack of AI instructions
- No integrated AI hardware
- CPU too slow for practical AI workloads
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
- Slightly higher clocks reduce CPU bottlenecks compared to i5-2400
- Requires a discrete GPU; system will not boot without one
- Handles Minecraft with heavy shaders well when paired with a modern budget GPU
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
- No wasted power on unused integrated graphics
- Higher clocks than the i5-2400
- Runs cooler than the i5-2500
- Excellent value on the used market
- Great for retro-gaming
Cons
- Absolutely requires a discrete GPU
- No Intel Quick Sync video encoding
- No Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- No AVX2 support
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 i5-2450P
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 980Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2400Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-4170Rival
Desktop
Similar performance but includes an iGPU as a backup.
Compare head-to-head- AMD FX-6300Alt
Offers more threads for multi-threaded tasks on the AM3+ platform.
- Intel Xeon E3-1230 v2Alt
Ivy Bridge Xeon with no iGPU and Hyper-Threading.
- Intel Core i7-2600Alt
Adds Hyper-Threading for better multitasking in the same socket.
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 best Sandy Bridge i5 for pure CPU performance on a budget, provided you already own a dedicated graphics card.
Best for: Building a budget retro-gaming PC with a spare discrete GPU
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-8350K or Intel Core i5-2450P?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-2450P 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 i5-2450P?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-8350K leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i3-8350K and Intel Core i5-2450P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-8350K has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-8350K (91 W), Intel Core i5-2450P (95 W).
Do Intel Core i3-8350K and Intel Core i5-2450P use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-8350K: LGA 1151, Intel Core i5-2450P: LGA 1155), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-2450P posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2450P (3,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.