The Intel Core i3-7350K (60W) Review: Almost a Core i7-2600K
by Ian Cutress on February 3, 2017 8:00 AM ESTShadow of Mordor
The final title in our testing is another battle of system performance with the open world action-adventure title, Shadow of Mordor. Produced by Monolith using the LithTech Jupiter EX engine and numerous detail add-ons, SoM goes for detail and complexity to a large extent, despite having to be cut down from the original plans. The main story itself was written by the same writer as Red Dead Redemption, and it received Zero Punctuation’s Game of The Year in 2014.
For testing purposes, SoM gives a dynamic screen resolution setting, allowing us to render at high resolutions that are then scaled down to the monitor. As a result, we get several tests using the in-game benchmark. For low-end graphics we examine at 720p with low settings, whereas mid and high-end graphics get 1080p Ultra. The top graphics test is also redone at 3840x2160, also with Ultra settings, and we also test two cards at 4K where possible.
The only real difference here between the newer Core i3-7350K and the older Core i7-2600K is with our mid-range cards (GTX 770 and R9 285), whereby the older CPU seems to have a deficit 'in general' to the other CPUs we've tested. This might be CPU instruction related, although these results aren't seen on the other cards.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
186 Comments
View All Comments
silverblue - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
It's a bit weird, but most of them are within margin of error.WoodyBL - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
Am I the only one noticing that the i5-4690 was beating the i5-7600k in a lot of benchmarks? I'm having a hard time processing how that was even possible...fanofanand - Sunday, February 5, 2017 - link
Wasn't the 4690 Devil's Canyon? Similar IPC higher clocks I would assume. Most of the changes lately have been hardware decoders/encoders and I/o changes. Intel takes baby steps because it can, hopefully that changes with Ryzen.WoodyBL - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
Am I the only one noticing that the i5-4690 was beating the i5-7600k in a lot of benchmarks? I'm having a hard time processing how that was even possible...yankeeDDL - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
Glad to see that my 2 years old A10 still trashes anything Intel on integrated graphics.Gothmoth - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
no wonder intel is not selling to consumers, complaining about stagnation.the money they make comes from enterprise i guess.
i have not updated my sandy bridge for 6 years.
and i will not until intel gives me a reason.. this is only babysteps.
i had to cash out 1200 euro for a new mobo, cpu, ram, cooler... and for what.... 30% more performance..... meh
TelstarTOS - Saturday, February 4, 2017 - link
"Responsiveness? Top class."No way. It will suck in heavy multitasking.
synth0 - Sunday, February 5, 2017 - link
This is how good a 2011 chip really is!This shows there really isn't much sense to upgrade a PC anymore, and with time it will get even less sense to invest money for an upgrade. What will be in 2024? Are we entering into a stalemate in the PC area?
lopri - Sunday, February 5, 2017 - link
An excellent review but I would rather get a 7600K. Oh, wait. I already have something similar: 2600K.Bullwinkle J Moose - Sunday, February 5, 2017 - link
"The Intel Core i3-7350K (60W) Review: Almost a Core i7-2600K"---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.....and not even CLOSE to a Sandy Bridge!
Can the Intel Core i3-7350K use my Optical port in DRM crippled Windows 10 for Audio Production?
Show me how!
Can I record what I hear on the desktop with the DRM crippling API's found in Windows Vista / 7 / 8 and 10 ?
Show me how!
Will it boot "directly" to Windows XP faster than I can on my 35 watt dualcore Sandy Bridge (3-seconds on a Samsung 850 Pro SSD) so I CAN use my optical ports and record whatever I want without a DRM crippled Spyware Platform, or do the new motherboards prevent me from booting to a NON-crippled O.S. like my copy of Windows XP?
Well?
Should I "upgrade" to a crippled platform that prevents me from doing ANYTHING I want to do, but allows me to do only what Microsoft graciously allows me to do?
........ and explain to me again why I should pay more for my own enslavement?