The i3 unlocked processors

[AndreiArgeanu]

Since the 7th generation of Intel processors, Intel started releasing unlocked i3 processors. LTT made a video about the 7350k and thats about it. Now intel continued releasing successors, out there is the 8350k, 9350k and even a 9350kf. I mean I don't think the processors ever gained any traction and I did not know that intel had them until recently. So, whats the purpose of these processors? Why do they exist when an i5 9400f costs less?  Why does intel still make them? And who actually uses the cpu? 

[Princess Luna]

Both the i3 8350K and i3 9350K are simply i5 7600K rebrands with the minor tweaks from Coffee Lake.

 

There's nothing to it.

[Jurrunio]

There's no hardware difference between the locked and unlocked CPUs, just a microcode change. Intel made these because it doesn't cost them much extra anyway, and some fools still fall for them.