CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8350K vs Intel Core i7-7740X
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.
Quad-core limits performance in heavily parallelized applications compared to higher core-count alternatives.
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.
Paired with a strong discrete GPU, the high clocks enable smooth high-refresh gaming, though newer platforms offer better efficiency and future-proofing.
Virtualization
4 threads is a hard limit for virtualization, regardless of how fast those threads run.
Adequate for light VM workloads, but limited core count and memory channels make it less suitable for heavy virtualization.
Efficiency
Terrible efficiency. Pushing 1.3V+ through 14nm silicon to hit 5.0 GHz results in massive power draw and heat.
112 W TDP for a quad-core results in higher power draw per core than many modern designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- High clock speed cannot compensate for lack of AI instructions
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Suited only for CPU-bound inference and older ML frameworks
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
- Strong single-threaded core performance keeps frame rates competitive in many titles
- Best paired with mid-to-high-end discrete GPUs
- Modern gaming CPUs with more cores and faster memory often deliver better 1% lows
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
- High out-of-box clocks
- Unlocked for overclocking
- X299 platform offers flexible chipset PCIe lanes and storage options
- Strong single-threaded performance for its era
- Can breathe life into idle LGA2066 boards
Cons
- Quad core count limits multi-threaded performance
- Only 16 CPU PCIe lanes
- No integrated graphics
- 112 W TDP for four cores is relatively power-hungry
- Platform is discontinued with limited future upgrade options
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 i7-7740X
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600XRival
Gaming & Productivity
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700Rival
Creator
- Intel Core i7-7700KRival
Gaming
- Intel Core i5-7640XRival
Gaming
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-7820XRival
Workstation
More cores and better value for gaming and productivity.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 2700XAlt
Higher multi-threaded performance and efficiency.
Strong all-round performance on mainstream platforms.
Compare head-to-headMore cores and newer platform features.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Much better performance per watt and platform longevity.
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 reviewA niche, high-clock quad-core for X299 that delivers strong single-threaded performance but lacks the PCIe and memory bandwidth of Skylake-X siblings, making sense only at low prices for specific reuse scenarios.
Best for: Reusing an existing LGA2066 board for gaming or general tasks when the CPU is acquired at very low cost.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-8350K or Intel Core i7-7740X?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-7740X comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. 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 i7-7740X?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-7740X leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i3-8350K and Intel Core i7-7740X.
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 i7-7740X (112 W).
Do Intel Core i3-8350K and Intel Core i7-7740X use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-8350K: LGA 1151, Intel Core i7-7740X: LGA2066), so each needs a compatible motherboard.