Intel Core i3-8350K
Intel Core i3-8350K: Review of an Outdated, Yet Still Relevant CPU for Budget Builds
(Relevant as of April 2025)
Introduction
The Intel Core i3-8350K processor, released in 2017, became one of the first 4-core chips in the i3 lineup. Despite its age, it is still found in budget builds due to its unlocked multiplier and affordable price. By 2025, this CPU is no longer competing for the top spot but remains an interesting option for specific scenarios. Let’s explore who might find it useful and why.
Key Specifications: Coffee Lake in Detail
Architecture and Process Technology
The i3-8350K is based on the Coffee Lake microarchitecture with a 14 nm manufacturing process. By 2025, this is an outdated technology—modern Intel and AMD processors utilize 7 nm and 5 nm standards. However, at its time, 14 nm provided a balance between performance and energy efficiency.
Key Parameters:
- 4 cores / 4 threads — the lack of Hyper-Threading limits multitasking ability.
- Base frequency: 4.0 GHz — a high figure for an i3 even today.
- L3 cache: 8 MB — standard for its era but less than modern counterparts.
- TDP: 91 W — high power consumption for the i3 class, especially when overclocked.
- Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 630 — suitable for office tasks and 4K video but not for gaming.
Performance: Geekbench 6 and Real-World Tasks
- Single-thread score: 1450 — a respectable score even in 2025 for older games and applications.
- Multi-thread score: 4214 — a weak point due to the absence of Hyper-Threading.
Real-World Example: In 2024 tests, the i3-8350K handles Photoshop and Lightroom on basic settings but "struggles" when rendering 4K video in DaVinci Resolve.
Compatible Motherboards: What to Choose in 2025?
Socket and Chipsets
- Socket: LGA 1151 (Coffee Lake) — an outdated socket with few new boards being produced.
- Supported Chipsets:
- Z370/Z390 — for overclocking (requires updated BIOS).
- H370/B360/H310 — basic boards without overclocking capabilities.
Recommendations:
- For overclocking, look for used ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E or MSI Z390-A Pro boards ($80-120 on the secondhand market).
- New boards (like the ASRock B365M-HDV) can still be found for $90-130, but their availability is limited.
Important: Make sure the motherboard BIOS is updated to a version that supports Coffee Lake!
Memory: DDR4 and Its Nuances
The i3-8350K works only with DDR4.
- Officially: up to 64 GB, speeds up to 2400 MHz (on H/B series chipsets).
- With overclocking on Z chipsets: up to 3000-3200 MHz.
Example Configuration:
- 16 GB DDR4-2666 (like Crucial Ballistix) — optimal for gaming.
- 32 GB DDR4-2400 (Kingston Fury) — for work tasks involving large data volumes.
Tip: Don’t overspend on high-frequency memory—performance gains on this CPU are minimal.
Power Supply: Power Calculation
With a TDP of 91 W and under overclocking, consumption can reach up to 130 W.
Recommendations:
- Without a discrete graphics card: A 400 W PSU (like the be quiet! Pure Power 11 400W, $55).
- With an NVIDIA GTX 1660-level graphics card: A 500-600 W PSU (EVGA 600 BR, $70).
- For overclocking: Choose models with an 80+ Bronze rating or higher (Corsair CX650M, $85).
Novice Mistake: Using cheap PSUs without overload protection can lead to CPU failure during overclocking.
Pros and Cons: Who Should Accept Compromises?
Advantages
- Unlocked multiplier — potential for overclocking to 4.8-5.0 GHz with good cooling.
- Affordable price — new processors in 2025 are priced at $90-110 (remaining stock).
- Compatibility with Windows 10/11 and Linux — drivers are still updated.
Disadvantages
- 4 threads — weak multi-threaded performance.
- High power consumption — inefficient for HTPC builds.
- No support for PCIe 4.0/5.0 — a limitation for modern SSDs and graphics cards.
Use Cases: Where is the i3-8350K Still Relevant?
Gaming
- Example: In CS2 and Dota 2 on medium settings (with GTX 1660), it achieves 90-120 FPS.
- Problems: In AAA titles from 2024-2025 (like "Starfield"), it becomes a "bottleneck" even with an RTX 3060.
Office and Multimedia
- Suitable for 4K video playback on YouTube, document work, and website layout tasks.
Enthusiast Builds
- Interesting for experiments with overclocking on a budget platform.
Comparison with Competitors
Intel Core i3-10100 (2020)
- 4 cores / 8 threads, base frequency 3.6 GHz.
- Pros: Better multi-threading performance, support for DDR4-2666.
- Cons: More expensive ($120-130), no unlocked multiplier.
AMD Ryzen 3 3300X (2020)
- 4 cores / 8 threads, 7 nm process technology.
- Pros: Higher performance in multi-threaded tasks, PCIe 4.0 support.
- Cons: Difficult to find new units.
Conclusion: In 2025, the i3-8350K falls behind even budget Ryzen 5 5500 ($130), but it wins in price.
Practical Assembly Tips
1. Cooling: Minimum is a tower cooler (Deepcool Gammaxx 400, $25). For overclocking, consider Noctua NH-U12S ($70).
2. Storage: Opt for SATA SSDs (like Samsung 870 EVO 500GB, $60)—PCIe 3.0 NVMe won’t provide significant benefits.
3. Case: Ensure good ventilation (Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L, $55).
Important: Do not use this CPU for new gaming builds—better to choose Ryzen 5 7600 or Core i3-14100.
Final Conclusion: Who Is the i3-8350K Suitable for in 2025?
1. Budget Upgrades: If you already own an LGA 1151 motherboard and DDR4 memory.
2. Enthusiast Overclockers: For experiments with overclocking without significant investment.
3. Office PCs and HTPCs: For tasks that do not require multi-threading.
Alternative: If your budget allows $150-200, consider Intel Core i3-14100 (4 cores / 8 threads, 10 nm process technology) or AMD Ryzen 5 5500.
The i3-8350K is a relic of the past that can still serve a purpose, but only in very narrow scenarios. Its time has passed, but for those nostalgic for the Coffee Lake era, it remains a symbol of affordable overclocking.