Intel Core 3 201TE vs Intel Core 3 N355 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 N355's overall benchmark score compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Core 3 N355 has an average benchmark score of 13,492. This places it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-12100F, scores 13,494, which is a 0% difference. The Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13,452, which is 0.3% behind, while the Intel Core 7 120UL scores 13,594, which is 0.8% ahead.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 3 201TE has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Despite having twice the core count, the N355 does not support simultaneous multithreading, so both CPUs handle 8 threads total.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two chips?

A: The Core 3 201TE has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Core 3 N355 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The 201TE runs at higher frequencies in both states.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 3 201TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 N355 does not support ECC memory. This is a significant distinction for reliability-sensitive workloads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each processor?

A: The Core 3 201TE uses a dual-channel memory bus and delivers 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core 3 N355 uses a single-channel memory bus and delivers 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The 201TE provides exactly twice the memory bandwidth.

Q: What integrated graphics do these chips use?

A: The Core 3 201TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The Core 3 N355 uses UHD Graphics 770. The N355 has the higher-tier integrated graphics solution.

The Verdict

The Intel Core 3 201TE is a desktop processor on Socket 1700 with 4 cores, 8 threads, a 45 W TDP, and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. It targets users who need higher per-core performance, dual-channel memory bandwidth, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and ECC support. Its 12 MB of shared L3 cache and 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth make it suitable for latency-sensitive desktop workloads.

The Intel Core 3 N355 is a mobile processor on BGA 1264 with 8 cores, 8 threads, a 15 W TDP, and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. It has a recorded average benchmark score of 13,492, placing it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. This puts it in the same performance class as the Intel Core i3-12100F, which scores 13,494 with a 0% delta. The N355 also carries UHD Graphics 770 and supports LPDDR5 memory in addition to DDR4 and DDR5.

The data indicates two distinct usage profiles. The 201TE suits desktop builders who value memory bandwidth, ECC, and high boost clocks. The N355 suits compact or mobile systems where low power draw and multi-core throughput matter more than memory bandwidth or single-thread speed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark results for the Intel Core 3 N355 across Cinebench and Passmark tests. The Intel Core 3 201TE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. This limits direct numerical comparison, but the N355's scores can be analyzed against its nearest rivals to establish its performance position.

In Cinebench R23, the N355 scores 5,262 in multi-core and 1,039 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3,612 multi-core and 509 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 822 multi-core and 168 single-core. These results show a processor that scales reasonably across the Cinebench suite, with single-core scores roughly one-fifth of multi-core scores in each version.

Passmark results for the N355 are more granular. The multithread score is 10,174, while the single-thread score is 2,153. Integer math scores 33,894, floating point math scores 22,695, and extended instructions score 5,968. Data compression scores 117,435, data encryption scores 8,121, and random string sorting scores 14,706. Physics scores 625, and find prime numbers scores 27.

The N355's average benchmark score of 13,492 places it close to the Intel Core i3-12100F at 13,494, a 0% difference. It sits 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13,452. The Intel Core 5 120UL leads by 0.8% with 13,594, while the Intel Core i7-1250U trails by 1.1% with 13,351.

Because the 201TE lacks benchmark entries, the recorded data cannot quantify its wins. The specification sheet, however, shows advantages in clock speed, memory bandwidth, and cache structure. The 201TE boosts 0.70 GHz higher than the N355 and provides double the memory bandwidth. The N355 counters with double the core count and a higher-tier integrated GPU.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category.

Cores and Threads: The 201TE has 4 cores and 8 threads. The N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Clocks: The 201TE runs at 2.90 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The N355 runs at 1.90 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost.

TDP: The 201TE has a 45 W TDP. The N355 has a 15 W TDP.

Socket: The 201TE uses Intel Socket 1700. The N355 uses Intel BGA 1264.

Cache: The 201TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The N355 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3.

Memory: The 201TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

ECC: The 201TE supports ECC memory. The N355 does not.

PCIe: The 201TE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The N355 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes.

Integrated Graphics: The 201TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The N355 uses UHD Graphics 770.

Die Size: The 201TE has a die size of 163 mm². The N355 has no recorded die size.

Market Segment: The 201TE is a desktop part. The N355 is a mobile part.

Release Date: The 201TE was released on 2025-01-12. The N355 was released on 2025-01-06.

Launch MSRP: The 201TE has a launch MSRP of $134. The N355 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built by Intel on a 10 nm process node, but they come from different architectural families.

The 201TE belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation, listed under "Core 3 (Bartlett Lake)" in the database. Its codename is Bartlett Lake. It uses a 10 nm process and has a die size of 163 mm². This is a desktop-oriented architecture with a 45 W TDP, PCIe Gen 5 support, and dual-channel memory. The per-core L2 cache of 1.25 MB indicates a design focused on responsive single-thread execution, and the 12 MB shared L3 cache provides a substantial pool for active data.

The N355 belongs to the Twin Lake architecture, listed under "Core 3 (Alder Lake-N)" in the database. Its codename is Twin Lake. It also uses a 10 nm process, but its die size is not recorded. This is a mobile-oriented architecture with a 15 W TDP and PCIe Gen 3 support. The L1 cache is 96 KB per core, slightly larger than the 201TE's 80 KB per core. The L2 cache is 2 MB shared across all cores, a different arrangement from the 201TE's per-core L2. The L3 cache is 6 MB shared, half the capacity of the 201TE.

The memory architecture differs fundamentally. The 201TE uses a dual-channel bus, while the N355 uses a single-channel bus. The 201TE supports ECC, the N355 does not. The 201TE supports only DDR4 and DDR5, while the N355 adds LPDDR5 support, which fits its mobile positioning.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 201TE carries UHD Graphics 730, while the N355 carries UHD Graphics 770. The N355's graphics tier is higher despite the lower overall TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 201TE wins in scenarios that depend on high clock speeds, memory bandwidth, and platform features. Its 4.60 GHz boost clock gives it a clear single-thread advantage on paper over the N355's 3.90 GHz boost. The dual-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth is double the N355's 38.4 GB/s, which matters for memory-sensitive applications. The 12 MB shared L3 cache doubles the N355's 6 MB, providing more room for frequently accessed data. ECC support makes it viable for error-tolerant computing environments. PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes offers significantly more expansion bandwidth than the N355's PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes. Desktop users with Socket 1700 motherboards benefit from this configuration.

The Intel Core 3 N355 wins in scenarios that prioritize core count, power efficiency, and integrated graphics. Its 8 cores double the 201TE's 4 cores, which helps in multi-threaded workloads that scale with core count rather than thread count. The 15 W TDP is one-third of the 201TE's 45 W TDP, making it suitable for thermally constrained mobile systems. The UHD Graphics 770 is a higher-tier iGPU than the 730, which may benefit basic graphics tasks. LPDDR5 support gives system designers more memory options for compact builds. The N355's recorded benchmark score of 13,492 and 68th percentile ranking confirm it performs competitively against desktop chips like the Core i3-12100F, which sits at a 0% delta.

The database shows no benchmark results for the 201TE, so its wins are derived from specifications rather than measured scores. The N355's wins are backed by actual test data across Cinebench and Passmark. For builders choosing between these two, the selection depends on platform: Socket 1700 desktop boards favor the 201TE, while BGA 1264 mobile or embedded designs favor the N355. The 201TE carries a launch MSRP of $134, while the N355 has no recorded launch price.