Intel Core i3-8350K, 4 Cores & 4 Threads Unlocked Desktop Processor with Intel UHD Graphics 630

I set out to make a "nearly" silent PC, in that I didn't want to go fanless, but I wanted it to have the fans running so slowly (or off) during normal operation that it was silent, and it was only during intensive activities that the fans would ramp up. And I wanted a fair amount of horse-power too so that I could effortlessly do my engineering work (mechanical part creation and PCB layout work mostly). The key to doing that is getting both a CPU and GPU that while high horsepower are also very efficient and then cooling them with well designed heatsinks that don't take a large amount of airflow and fans that run quietly and allow for very granular control at low RPMs.For the CPU I'm glad I chose the Intel Core i3-8100. 14 nm technology allows them to have a 4-core processor running at 3.6 GHz but still only generates 65 watts. I don't think there's a better combination of horsepower and efficiency on the market right now. It's a real winner and when paired with the GTX 1050 Ti GPU, this computer rocks while not generating a lot of heat. Measured from the wall outlet, it's usually below 100 watts total.But it is also quiet. Pairing this CPU with a good CPU cooler (Cooler Master Hyper T2), a good fan (Noctua NF-B9) and powering it with an EVGA 650 GQ PSU in "eco mode" I have built a truly silent PC in all but the most intensive work situations. Using my pretty sensitive dB meter, I can not detect it being on. I have to do the test in the middle of the night, because even cars going by outside are detectable. But at 3 AM, it reads 21.1 dB with the PC off and 21.1 dB with it on. My stomach gurgles and the stupid thing goes up to 24 dB or I click the mouse and it goes up to over 30 dB so trust me when I say the dB meter is sensitive enough to detect pretty small readings.To be fair and give a caveat, to keep it silent, the fans are running at 13% on the rear of the case, 10% on the CPU and 5% on the GPU. But that's just enough air flow with the good heatsinks that in normal operation the system temp stays around 40 and both the CPU temp and GPU temps stay in the mid 50's.Build details:Intel Core i3-8100 CPUMSI Z370M Mortar motherboardGigabyte GTX 1050 Ti "Windforce OC" GPU (Note: Gigabyte is the only vendor with a good fan controller on their 1050 GPU. The other companies have junk 2-pin fans, see my review on that product for more details on how I modded it to be more quiet.)2 of 4 GB DDR4 2400 Kingston Fury DIMMsSamsung 960 EVO M.2 SSDEVGA 650 GQ PSU in eco mode

This is my opinion on this processor, I'm not an enthusiast ,I'm not an expert either . However, since a lot of processesors are increasing in prices.this I the one I can afford to upgrade my rig. Like any ordinary consumer, I do my research first to find info on what I am trying to buy specially electronics. I find this processor is fast even though your not over locking it. But I' am bothered by how much heat it's producing on idle, and with an AIO for water cooler at 42 degrees it's ok. However, while playing games it climbs up to a whooping 87 deg. And that's water cooled?. So I search for other ways to improve my terms, found some which is more expensive way which I don't have the money for. So, I found that deliding your CPU could improve your temp. So I tried it, now my temps are idle 28 deg, and 48 full load not exceeding 50deg. And I try overclocking it to 4.5Ghz for awhile just to see the temps change idle is still 28-32deg and full load is around 48-55 degrees. I'm a happy on this purchase it woul be another 10 yrs to get a new rig.

While the built in graphics works fine for general use I tried a GTX 1050Ti low profile graphics card which has greater capability than I need for general office and programming work. With a M.2 Samsung EVO 970 SSD my computer is plenty fast. I also have an i7-8700K in another computer which tests faster but is over-kill for my applications as I am not stressing it with lots of graphics, games or simulations. Tests show the i3-8350K as I configured the computer is in the 95th percentile (and the i7 with a GTX1060 graphics card in the 98th percentile) but what matters is this i3 works great. Check out performance with various components on user benchmark sites.

Had this in my system with a 1060 and worked like a charm! Was able to play ever game I wanted to with great FPS as well as VR! However, I wouldn’t recommend this if your doing something like streaming or video editing; in that case, get an i5 or i7 or the ryzen equivalents.