Quick Verdict
A solid quad-core low-power processor that brought significant multi-threaded gains to ultrabooks, though its integrated graphics remain a limiting factor.
Overview
Launch
2017
Status
ActiveGeneration
8th Gen (Kaby Lake-R)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-8350U is a quad-core mobile processor from Intel's 8th Generation Kaby Lake-R lineup, engineered for thin-and-light ultrabooks and business laptops. Operating at a base frequency of 1.7 GHz and dynamically boosting up to 3.6 GHz, it utilizes Intel's highly optimized 14nm manufacturing process. The transition from dual-core to quad-core configurations in the U-series was a major leap for mobile productivity, bringing 8 threads to low-power devices. With 6MB of L3 Smart Cache, it ensures efficient task management for everyday office work, heavy web browsing, and moderate multitasking. It integrates Intel UHD Graphics 620, which is sufficient for hardware-accelerated video playback and basic display duties, though not intended for 3D gaming. Maintaining a strict 15W TDP, the i5-8350U balances sustained performance with battery longevity, making it a popular choice for professionals requiring reliable computing power in a portable form factor.
Released in late 2017, the i5-8350U was a key player in Intel's push to bring quad-core performance to thin-and-light laptops. Built on the refined 14nm Kaby Lake Refresh architecture, it offers boost clocks up to 3.6 GHz.
While its UHD 620 graphics are basic, the 4-core, 8-thread configuration makes it highly capable for everyday multitasking and office applications.
Specifications
Performance
Highly capable for office suites, heavy browsing, and daily multitasking.
Can handle light VMs for development, but limited by thermal constraints.
Limited to very light or older games due to basic UHD 620 graphics.
Mature 14nm process offers excellent battery life in ultrabooks.
- •Relies on Intel UHD Graphics 620
- •Only suitable for 2D or highly optimized older games
- •Lacks hardware support for modern DirectX 12 Ultimate features
- •No dedicated AI hardware
- •Relies on CPU AVX2 instructions
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Kaby Lake-R
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-8350U is built on the Kaby Lake Refresh (Kaby Lake-R) architecture, representing Intel's third iteration of the Skylake microarchitecture on the 14nm process. The defining characteristic of Kaby Lake-R is the doubling of core counts within the 15W U-series envelope, moving from dual-core to quad-core configurations. It features 64KB of L1 cache and 256KB of L2 cache per core, alongside a 6MB shared L3 Smart Cache. The processor supports both DDR4 and LPDDR3 memory, providing OEMs with flexibility between performance and power consumption. Integrated UHD Graphics 620 based on Gen 9.5 architecture handle display outputs and hardware media decoding. Despite the core count increase, the architecture relies on aggressive dynamic frequency scaling and power gating to remain within the 15W default TDP. This design prioritizes bursty workloads, utilizing Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 to reach 3.6 GHz for short periods before settling into a lower sustained frequency based on thermal headroom.
CPU Design
4 cores, 8 threads built on the Skylake-derived 14nm Kaby Lake-R architecture.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4 or LPDDR3 controller.
PCIe & I/O
12 PCIe 3.0 lanes for direct CPU connectivity.
Overclocking
Multiplier locked, no manual overclocking.
- Doubled core count (2 to 4)
- Doubled thread count (4 to 8)
- Increased L3 cache (3MB to 6MB)
Key Highlights
- Reliable quad-core performance for everyday tasks
- High boost clock of 3.6 GHz
- Good multitasking with 8 threads
- Wide compatibility with DDR4 and LPDDR3
- Built on aging 14nm process
- Weak integrated graphics
- No support for PCIe 4.0
- Quickly overshadowed by Whiskey Lake
History
The Core i5-8350U was introduced in August 2017 as a critical response to AMD's increasingly competitive Ryzen mobile lineup. Intel's Kaby Lake Refresh marked a pivotal moment, as it was the first time the company brought quad-core configurations to the 15W U-series, a segment previously dominated by dual-core designs. This move was largely a stopgap measure while Intel prepared their 10nm Cannon Lake processors.
By optimizing the 14nm process and adjusting the die layout, Intel managed to double the core count without exceeding the strict 15W power envelope. The i5-8350U became a staple in countless business and consumer ultrabooks, offering a substantial performance leap over the 7th Gen dual-cores. This release highlighted Intel's strategy of maximizing the potential of their mature 14nm node to maintain market leadership during a period of intense competition and internal manufacturing delays.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Doubled core count (2 to 4)
- Doubled thread count (4 to 8)
- Increased L3 cache (3MB to 6MB)
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Purchasing a heavily discounted used business laptop for basic office work.
Avoid if…
- Buying a new laptop
- Need modern gaming capabilities
- Require hardware AI acceleration
- Editing 4K video
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was part of Intel's first quad-core U-series lineup.
Despite being 8th Gen, it uses the same 14nm process as 7th Gen.
It was a favorite for business laptops like the ThinkPad T480.
The UHD 620 graphics are essentially identical to previous generations.
It supports Intel vPro for enterprise management.
The chip uses a BGA 1356 socket, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard.
It features 6MB of Smart Cache shared across all cores.
Intel Optimized Sleep states help it achieve long battery life in ultrabooks.
It can be configured up to 25W for more sustained performance.
The 'U' suffix designates a 15W low-power mobile profile.
People Also Ask
Is Core i5-8350U good for gaming?
No, its integrated UHD Graphics 620 are too weak for modern gaming.
What is the TDP of the i5-8350U?
It has a default TDP of 15W, configurable up to 25W.
Does the i5-8350U support DDR4 memory?
Yes, it supports both DDR4 and LPDDR3 memory.
Can the i5-8350U run Windows 11?
Yes, though officially it is not on the supported list, it can run it.
Is the i5-8350U unlocked for overclocking?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What generation is the i5-8350U?
It is an 8th Generation Intel Core processor.
Does the i5-8350U have Hyper-Threading?
Yes, it has 4 cores and 8 threads.
Is the i5-8350U good for programming?
Yes, it is adequate for most standard programming tasks.
What is the max turbo frequency of the i5-8350U?
It can turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz.
Does the i5-8350U support Thunderbolt 3?
Yes, it supports Thunderbolt 3 via the platform controller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the i5-8350U in my laptop?
No, it is soldered to the motherboard using the BGA 1356 socket.
Does it support AVX-512 instructions?
No, AVX-512 is not supported on Kaby Lake-R architecture.
What graphics are integrated into the i5-8350U?
It features Intel UHD Graphics 620 based on Gen 9.5 architecture.
Is the i5-8350U good for video editing?
It can handle basic 1080p editing, but struggles with 4K.
What is the maximum memory supported?
It supports up to 32GB of DDR4 memory.
Does it have Virtualization support?
Yes, it supports VT-x and VT-d.
What is the base clock speed?
The base clock speed is 1.7 GHz.
Is it better than the i5-8250U?
Slightly, it has marginally higher base and turbo clocks.
Does the i5-8350U support PCIe 4.0?
No, it only supports PCIe 3.0.
What is the thermal junction max (Tjmax)?
The maximum case temperature is rated at 72°C.