Advantages
High clock speed
Easily overclocks above 5 GHz
Multithreading
High clock speed
Easily overclocks above 5 GHz
Multithreading
Quite expensive
As a rule, processors of the i3 family are intended for simple office computers or powerful PCs with modest power consumption. Therefore, their typical buyers are traditionally not interested in the possibility of overclocking the system. New Core i3-7350K with an unlocked multiplier, that is, with the potential for “stepwise” overclocking, looks like a strange experiment with which Intel wants to “probe” the market.
Core i3-7350K has an already quite high clock frequency — 4.2 GHz. The processor, built on the Kaby Lake microarchitecture, with a TDP of 60W, achieves results that some older and newer i5 family processors show. For example, it outperforms the i5-4690, i5-6400, and i5-6500T—and at a lower cost.
But not only high clock speed is the reason for good performance, but also support for Simultaneous Multithreading technology, which Intel calls hyperthreading (Hyperthreading). Now each of the two cores can work with two data streams.
This leads to a noticeable increase in performance where multi-core is in demand. In case of Core i3-7350K — almost everywhere, since many popular programs and games can optimally use four cores. Of course, this model cannot be compared with processors that have four real cores, but thanks to multithreading, you can run applications on your computer that require at least four cores.
The letter «K» in the name of the processor indicates a free multiplier. We increased the processor clock speed from 4.2 GHz to 5 GHz. Result: in the Cinebench R15 benchmark, 516 points were obtained instead of the previous 457 points — an increase of 13%. We use conventional air cooling and measured the temperature to 74°C.
So the extra performance is actually a gift. With the help of water cooling, one could go even further, because you will really feel the performance increase at the level of 13% when performing, of course, not all tasks.
Core i3-7350K seems perfect for DIY PCs or entry-level gaming PCs. And yet, the price is a problem: at present, the chip costs about 120$. This makes it the most expensive processor of its subclass in the Intel portfolio.
For that kind of money, you can even choose a much more powerful one among expensive Intel chips. For example, the i5-7400 costs around $12,700, offers four cores, has more cache, and is 6.5 points higher in our respective rankings. The only drawback: no free multiplier.
More power overall, four cores, and just a little bit more expensive. The best choice if you can do without overclocking.
A monster of «multi-core» tasks: The FX-9590 is very good for its power and offers a whopping eight cores.
TEST RESULTS | |
CPU performance (100%)
42%
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CONCLUSION
The Intel Core i3-7350K boxed well outside its weight category, knocking out even processors of the i5 family. For the first time, a CPU of this subclass offers support for Hyper-Threading technology and a free multiplier for overclockers. However, these advantages are reflected in the relatively high cost.
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42%
OVERALL RESULT |
Price-quality ratio |
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GPU performance | |
Architecture | |
Performance (form factor) | |
Number of cores | |
Number of threads | |
Rated frequency | |
Maximum frequency | |
Process technology | |
Volume L2 cache | |
Volume L3 cache | |
Thermo pack (TDP) | |
CPU Benchmark: PCMark 8 | |
CPU test: Excel 2010 SP1 — simulation. Monte Carlo | |
CPU Benchmark: Cinebench R15 (Max CPU Cores) | |
CPU Test: WinRAR 4.01 (64bit) | |
Test: TrueCrypt 7.1 AES-Twofish-Serpent | |
CPU Test: HandBrake 0.9.5 | |
CPU benchmark: PovRay 3.7 RC3 (1280×1024 without AA) | |
video core | |
GPU Benchmark: 3DMark Cloud Gate | |
GPU Benchmark: 3DMark Firestrike | |
GPU Benchmark: Metro Last Light | |
GPU Benchmark: Bioshock Infinite |