i3-9350KF vs i3-8121U

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Aggregate performance score

Core i3-8121U
2018
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
2.88
Core i3-9350KF
2019
4 cores / 4 threads, 91 Watt
4.94
+71.5%

Core i3-9350KF outperforms Core i3-8121U by an impressive 72% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking16701240
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data7.77
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i3Intel Core i3
Power efficiency17.474.94
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-U (2018−2019)Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Release date15 May 2018 (6 years ago)8 January 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$173

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads44
Base clock speed2.2 GHz4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz4.6 GHz
Bus typeOPIDMI 3.0
Bus rate4 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier2240
L1 cache128 KB64K (per core)
L2 cache512 KB256K (per core)
L3 cache4 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography10 nm14 nm
Die size123 mm2126 mm2
Maximum core temperature105 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketIntel BGA1440FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)15 Watt91 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro-no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
QuickAssist-no data
Speed Shift+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
HD Audio+no data
RST+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX++
Identity Protection-+
SGX-Yes with Intel® ME
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
VT-i-no data
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4-2400
Maximum memory size32 GB64 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth38.397 GB/s38.397 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIris Pro Plusno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1616

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-8121U 2.88
i3-9350KF 4.94
+71.5%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-8121U 4391
i3-9350KF 7549
+71.9%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i3-8121U 1165
i3-9350KF 1508
+29.4%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i3-8121U 2367
i3-9350KF 3874
+63.7%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.88 4.94
Recency 15 May 2018 8 January 2019
Physical cores 2 4
Chip lithography 10 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 15 Watt 91 Watt

i3-8121U has a 40% more advanced lithography process, and 506.7% lower power consumption.

i3-9350KF, on the other hand, has a 71.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 months, and 100% more physical cores.

The Core i3-9350KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-8121U in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i3-8121U is a notebook processor while Core i3-9350KF is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-8121U and Core i3-9350KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-8121U
Core i3-8121U
Intel Core i3-9350KF
Core i3-9350KF

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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