Intel Core 3 N350 vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Core 5 also has a higher base clock of 1.80 GHz versus 0.10 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 3.90 GHz.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark average?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE records an average benchmark score of 17860, placing it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 3 N350 averages 9903, sitting in the 66th percentile. The Core 5 221TE is roughly 80% higher in average score.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded PassMark testing?

A: The Intel Core 3 N350 wins in the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 1974, versus 1734 for the Intel Core 5 221TE. That is a 13.8% advantage for the N350, and it is the only head-to-head test where the N350 comes out ahead.

Q: What are the memory differences between the two?

A: The Intel Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, which is exactly double the N350's memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 N350 does not. This makes the Core 5 221TE more suitable for reliability-focused workloads.

Q: What are the integrated graphics models in each processor?

A: The Intel Core 3 N350 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The N350 also uses an Intel BGA 1264 socket, whereas the Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core 3 N350 is built on the Twin Lake architecture, with a codename of Twin Lake and a generation label of Core 3 (Alder Lake-N). The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on Bartlett Lake, with a generation label of Core 5 (Bartlett Lake). Both use a 10 nm process node from Intel, but the die size differs: the Core 5 221TE has a die size of 215 mm², while the N350 does not have a recorded die size in the database.

Core organization differs significantly. The N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating 6 of its cores support hyperthreading. The cache hierarchy also differs. The N350 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 221TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

The memory controllers are different as well. The N350 uses a single-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. The Core 5 221TE uses a dual-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and supports only DDR4 and DDR5, not LPDDR5. The N350 does not support ECC memory; the Core 5 221TE does.

PCIe connectivity differs. The N350 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 221TE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a substantial upgrade in both generation and lane count. The socket types also differ: the N350 uses Intel BGA 1264, a mobile socket, while the Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. This reflects their market segments: the N350 is classified as Mobile, and the Core 5 221TE is classified as Desktop.

Power characteristics differ sharply. The N350 has a TDP of 7 watts, while the Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45 watts. The base clock of the N350 is 0.10 GHz, which is extremely low, while the Core 5 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz. Boost clocks are 3.90 GHz for the N350 and 5.00 GHz for the Core 5 221TE.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The N350 has part number SRPNS, and the Core 5 221TE has part number SRVQS. Release dates are close, with the N350 released on 2025-01-06 and the Core 5 221TE on 2025-01-12. Both are marked as Active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221TE dominates the head-to-head results, winning 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 3 N350 wins only the two PassMark single-thread tests, and both are the same underlying test with identical scores.

In Cinebench tests, the Core 5 221TE shows a consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 scores 1139 versus 632 for the N350, a 44.5% advantage. In R15 single-core, the Core 5 scores 160 versus 89, a 44.4% advantage. In R20 multicore, the Core 5 scores 4748 versus 2635, again 44.5% ahead. In R20 single-core, the Core 5 scores 670 versus 371, a 44.6% lead. In R23 multicore, the Core 5 scores 11305 versus 6274, a 44.5% margin. In R23 single-core, the Core 5 scores 1596 versus 885, also 44.5% ahead. The consistency of these deltas, all around 44% to 45%, indicates the Core 5 221TE holds a structural performance advantage across the entire Cinebench suite.

PassMark tests show a wider spread of margins. The largest single gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 5 221TE scores 59 versus 20 for the N350, a 66.1% advantage. The second largest is in extended instructions, where the Core 5 scores 9655 versus 3981, a 58.8% lead. PassMark physics shows a 54.4% gap, with the Core 5 at 977 and the N350 at 446. Data compression shows the Core 5 at 156682 versus 80444, a 48.7% lead. PassMark multithread shows 13301 versus 7382, a 44.5% gap. Floating point math shows 31661 versus 17781, a 43.8% lead. Random string sorting shows 16929 versus 10102, a 40.3% gap. Data encryption shows 8963 versus 5693, a 36.5% lead. Integer math shows the smallest multicore gap, with the Core 5 at 42303 versus 27669, a 34.6% advantage.

The single exception is PassMark single thread, where the N350 scores 1974 and the Core 5 221TE scores 1734. That is a 13.8% win for the N350. The N350 also posts a higher PassMark single-thread score than its own multithread score of 7382 relative to its core count, suggesting its per-core efficiency in lightly threaded work is competitive, but the Core 5 221TE's higher core count and higher clocks dominate everywhere else.

In terms of overall average, the Core 5 221TE scores 17860 versus 9903 for the N350. The Core 5 221TE also has a higher percentile rank at 71 versus 66. The nearest rivals for the N350 include Intel Core i7-3770 at 9706 (2% ahead of the N350) and Intel Core i5-1035G1 at 9684 (2.3% ahead), while AMD EPYC 7F52 at 10159 is 2.5% ahead and Intel Xeon Platinum 8280 at 10230 is 3.2% ahead. The Core 5 221TE's nearest rivals are AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 (0.2% ahead of the Core 5), Intel Core 5 120U at 17898 (0.2% ahead), Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 (0.5% behind), and AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (0.7% ahead). This places the Core 5 221TE in a much higher performance tier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 N350 | Intel Core 5 221TE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base clock | 0.10 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.90 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 7 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Twin Lake | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) |

| Die size | Not recorded | 215 mm² |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (shared) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Part number | SRPNS | SRVQS |

| Release date | 2025-01-06 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $232 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core 5 221TE in almost every measurable workload. Its Cinebench scores are uniformly about 44% to 45% higher across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore tests. PassMark results show an even larger spread in some areas, with prime number finding, extended instructions, and physics workloads seeing gaps between 54% and 66%. Its 24 MB of shared L3 cache, dual-channel memory at 76.8 GB/s, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and ECC support further extend its lead in memory-intensive and reliability-sensitive tasks.

The Intel Core 3 N350 does hold one clear advantage: PassMark single-thread performance. Its score of 1974 beats the Core 5 221TE's 1734 by 13.8%. This indicates the N350 has strong per-core efficiency in lightly threaded instructions, despite its very low base clock of 0.10 GHz. Its 7-watt TDP also makes it far more power-efficient in absolute terms, and it supports LPDDR5 memory, which the Core 5 does not. Its UHD Graphics 770 is a higher-tier integrated GPU than the Core 5's UHD Graphics 730.

For users whose workloads are dominated by multi-core rendering, compression, encryption, physics, or any heavily threaded PassMark test, the Core 5 221TE is the clear choice. The data shows it delivers roughly double the performance in many of these tasks, with a 44.5% lead in Cinebench multicore and a 48.7% lead in data compression. Its higher memory bandwidth and larger L3 cache support those results.

For users prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness or extreme power economy, the Core 3 N350 has a measurable edge in PassMark single-thread and operates at a fraction of the TDP. Its mobile socket and lower power draw make it appropriate for compact or battery-driven systems. The Core 5 221TE, with its desktop socket, higher TDP, and ECC support, is positioned for more demanding desktop workloads where performance per thread and per core outweighs power constraints.

The percentile data reinforces this split. The Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 17860, close to AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U, both within 0.2%. The Core 3 N350 sits at the 66th percentile with an average of 9903, near Intel Core i7-3770 and Core i5-1035G1, both within 2.3%. The Core 5 221TE is, on average, about 80% faster across the full benchmark suite. The single-thread win by the N350 is real but narrow; it does not offset the Core 5 221TE's dominance across the other 15 comparisons.