AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G vs Intel Core 3 N355 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a decisive comparison between the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G and the Intel Core 3 N355. Across the eleven PassMark tests in the head-to-head set, the AMD processor wins every single contest, with winsA at 11 and winsB at 0. The margin is not narrow; the smallest delta is 49.1% in data encryption, and the largest reaches 213.3% in extended instructions.

Starting with single-thread performance, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 3829 in PassMark single-thread, while the Intel Core 3 N355 scores 2153. That is a 77.8% advantage for the AMD part. This result appears in both the single_thread and singlethread entries, confirming consistency in the measurement. The gap indicates that the AMD core design, built on the Zen 5 / Zen 5c generation with a 4.50 GHz boost clock, delivers substantially higher per-core throughput than the Intel Twin Lake architecture with its 3.90 GHz boost clock.

Multi-threaded workloads amplify the difference. In PassMark multithread, the AMD chip records 20285 versus 10174 for the Intel chip, a 99.4% delta, meaning the AMD processor nearly doubles the Intel processor's score. This is particularly striking because the Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading to reach 12 threads, and despite two fewer physical cores, it still outperforms the Intel part by a factor of roughly two in this test.

Integer math follows the same trend. The AMD processor scores 63707, the Intel processor scores 33894, giving AMD an 88% lead. Floating-point math shows a 91.6% advantage, with scores of 43494 and 22695 respectively. Prime number finding, a test that stresses branch prediction and integer throughput, shows AMD at 55 versus Intel at 27, a 103.7% delta. This test is notable because the absolute scores are low for both parts, but the relative difference remains consistent with the other integer workloads.

The extended instructions test delivers the largest margin. AMD scores 18697, Intel scores 5968, a 213.3% delta. This test typically measures SIMD and vectorized instruction throughput, and the data indicates the AMD Zen 5 implementation has a massive advantage in this area. Data compression shows AMD at 253484 versus Intel at 117435, a 115.9% delta. Random string sorting, another memory and cache sensitive workload, shows AMD at 27407 versus Intel at 14706, an 86.4% delta.

Even in physics simulation, where the PassMark score is an aggregate of several sub-tests, AMD leads with 999 versus 625, a 59.8% delta. This is the second-smallest margin in the set, but still a clear win. Data encryption shows the smallest relative gap: AMD at 12111, Intel at 8121, a 49.1% delta. Encryption workloads often depend on specific instructions such as AES-NI, and while both processors support such operations, the AMD part still delivers nearly 1.5 times the throughput.

Where Each One Wins

Looking at the benchmark distribution, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G wins in every measured category. The data does not show a single test where the Intel Core 3 N355 takes the lead. However, the magnitude of the AMD advantage varies by workload type, which suggests different use-case profiles.

For single-threaded and lightly threaded applications, such as typical desktop responsiveness, office productivity, or legacy software that uses one or two cores, the AMD part leads by 77.8% in PassMark single-thread. This is a substantial margin that would translate to faster application launch times and snappier interaction in everyday use.

For heavily multi-threaded workloads, including video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation, the AMD part nearly doubles the Intel part in PassMark multithread with a 99.4% delta. The 12 threads on the AMD processor, combined with the higher per-core performance, deliver the best results in the recorded data. The Intel processor, with 8 threads but no SMT, cannot match this throughput.

For vectorized or SIMD-heavy workloads, the extended instructions test shows the largest gap at 213.3%. This suggests the AMD processor is particularly strong in scientific computing, audio processing, or any application that leverages AVX-style instructions. The Intel part, using the Alder Lake-N derived Twin Lake architecture, appears to have weaker SIMD throughput.

For memory-intensive tasks like compression and sorting, the AMD part leads by 115.9% and 86.4% respectively. The AMD processor supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel processor supports single-channel memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. This memory bandwidth difference likely contributes to the compression and sorting results, as these workloads are often memory-bound.

For encryption and physics, the AMD leads are smaller at 49.1% and 59.8% respectively, but still decisive. The Intel processor's single-channel memory and lower clock speeds limit its performance in these areas.

The average benchmark score confirms the overall picture. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G has an avgBenchmarkScore of 40718, placing it at the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 3 N355 has an avgBenchmarkScore of 13492, placing it at the 68th percentile. The AMD processor sits in a different performance class entirely.

The Verdict

The data makes a clear case for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G as the higher-performing processor in this comparison. In every single head-to-head benchmark, the AMD part wins, with deltas ranging from 49.1% to 213.3%. The average benchmark score of 40718 versus 13492 means the AMD processor delivers roughly three times the average performance of the Intel Core 3 N355. The percentile rankings reinforce this: 87th versus 68th percentile of all CPUs.

The Intel Core 3 N355 does have advantages that are not captured in raw performance scores. It operates at a 15 W TDP, compared to the AMD part's 65 W TDP, which makes it more suitable for fanless or passively cooled mobile designs. It also supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, giving system designers more flexibility in memory selection. The Intel part is a mobile segment processor with a BGA 1264 socket, while the AMD part is a desktop segment processor with an AM5 socket.

For a user prioritizing raw compute performance, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G is the only choice based on the recorded data. It wins every benchmark and does so by wide margins. For a user prioritizing power efficiency and mobile form factors, the Intel Core 3 N355 has a place, but the performance gap is so large that the AMD part would be preferred in any scenario where performance matters. The database records no benchmark where the Intel part wins, so the verdict is unambiguous.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 3829 in PassMark single-thread, while the Intel Core 3 N355 scores 2153, a 77.8% advantage for AMD.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 20285 in PassMark multithread versus 10174 for the Intel Core 3 N355, a 99.4% delta. The AMD part nearly doubles the Intel part's score.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD processor scores 18697 versus 5968 for the Intel processor, a 213.3% delta.

Q: Do the processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with single-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G has an average benchmark score of 40718, placing it at the 87th percentile. The Intel Core 3 N355 has an average benchmark score of 13492, placing it at the 68th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G and Intel Core 3 N355 differ significantly in architecture, process technology, and platform integration. The AMD processor uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation, built on the Zen 5 / Zen 5c core architecture. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel processor uses the Twin Lake codename and belongs to the Core 3 generation, based on the Alder Lake-N architecture. It is manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel.

The core configurations differ in a fundamental way. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to double the thread count. The Intel part has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no SMT support. Despite having two more physical cores, the Intel part cannot match the AMD part in any benchmark in the recorded data.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. While the Intel part has more L3 cache (6 MB versus 4 MB), the AMD part's larger L2 allocation per core (1 MB versus 2 MB shared across 8 cores) and the faster memory subsystem appear to compensate.

Clock speeds favor the AMD part. The AMD processor has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Intel processor has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The 600 MHz boost clock advantage for AMD contributes to its single-thread lead.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The AMD part supports DDR5 only, with a dual-channel memory bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 10 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part's newer PCIe generation and higher lane count offer more bandwidth for expansion devices.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD processor uses the Radeon 840M, while the Intel processor uses the UHD Graphics 770. The database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part, so no performance comparison can be made from the recorded data.

Power and platform targets are distinct. The AMD processor has a 65 W TDP and uses the AMD Socket AM5, a desktop platform. The Intel processor has a 15 W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket, a mobile platform. The AMD part is listed as a desktop market segment product, while the Intel part is listed as a mobile market segment product.

The release dates differ by over a year. The Intel Core 3 N355 was released on 2025-01-06, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G was released on 2026-03-01. Both are listed as active in production. Neither processor has a launch MSRP recorded in the database, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context for each processor's standing. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G sits within 0.5% of the Intel Xeon 6357P, Intel Core 5 223PE, Intel Core 7 253PE, and Intel Core Ultra X7 368H, all of which have average scores around 40500 to 40630. The Intel Core 3 N355 sits within 1.1% of the Intel Core i3-12100F, Intel Core i5-9500, Intel Core 5 120UL, and Intel Core i7-1250U, with average scores around 13350 to 13594. These groupings show that the AMD part competes in a much higher performance tier than the Intel part.