Intel Core 3 N350 vs Intel Core 7 251E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 3 N350 and Intel Core 7 251E occupy completely different segments of the processor market, and the recorded data confirms this immediately. The Core 3 N350 has a full set of benchmark results, while the Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. This absence of data for the Core 7 251E means that direct head-to-head comparisons cannot be established through measured performance. The Core 3 N350 delivers measurable results across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Passmark tests, with an average benchmark score of 9903. Its percentile ranking places it at 66, meaning it outperforms two-thirds of all CPUs in the database.

The Core 3 N350's multicore performance in Cinebench R23 reaches 6274 points, while its single-core score in the same test is 885. In Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 2635 and the single-core result is 371. The R15 test shows 632 multicore and 89 single-core. These numbers indicate a processor designed for efficiency-oriented mobile workloads rather than raw throughput. The Passmark suite reinforces this profile: integer math scores 27669, floating point math scores 17781, and multithread performance scores 7382. Data compression reaches 80444, while data encryption is 5693. Random string sorting completes at 10102, and extended instructions score 3981. Single-thread Passmark performance is 1974, and the physics test scores 446.

Since the Core 7 251E has no benchmark entries, the nearest rival data for the Core 3 N350 provides useful context. The Core 3 N350 sits 2 percent above the Intel Core i7-3770 in average score, with the rival at 9706. It is 2.3 percent ahead of the Intel Core i5-1035G1, which scores 9684. Against server-class parts, the Core 3 N350 trails the AMD EPYC 7F52 by 2.5 percent, as that processor scores 10159. The Intel Xeon Platinum 8280 leads by 3.2 percent with a score of 10230. These deltas show that the Core 3 N350 performs in a narrow band around these established processors, despite having only 8 cores and 8 threads.

The Core 7 251E, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 0 and a percentile rank of 50, which reflects the absence of measurements rather than actual performance capability. The database shows no head-to-head benchmark entries for the pair, and the win counts for both processors are zero. This means any performance comparison must rely on architectural and specification differences rather than recorded test results.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 3 N350 wins in the only category with measurable data: verified benchmark performance. Its 8 cores and 8 threads operate at a base clock of 0.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, with a thermal design power of 7 watts. This power envelope makes it suitable for fanless or low-power mobile designs, and the benchmark scores confirm that it delivers usable performance within that constraint. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 6274 and Passmark multithread score of 7382 indicate that the processor handles everyday productivity tasks, web browsing, and light content creation without issue.

The Core 7 251E wins in specifications that suggest substantially higher performance headroom, even though no benchmark data confirms it. Its 24 cores and 32 threads represent a 3x core count advantage and a 4x thread count advantage over the Core 3 N350. The base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost clock of 5.60 GHz are significantly higher than the Core 3 N350's 0.10 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. The 65-watt TDP allows for sustained high-frequency operation, whereas the 7-watt TDP of the Core 3 N350 necessarily limits sustained performance.

Cache architecture favors the Core 7 251E dramatically. The Core 3 N350 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 251E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache advantage is 6x, and the per-core L2 allocation is substantially larger on the Core 7 251E. Memory bandwidth also favors the Core 7 251E: it supports dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core 3 N350 is single-channel at 38.4 GB/s. That is a 2.33x bandwidth advantage.

The Core 7 251E also supports ECC memory, which the Core 3 N350 does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Core 7 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core 3 N350 provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes. Both processors integrate UHD Graphics 770, so the iGPU is identical. The Core 7 251E uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Core 3 N350 uses Intel BGA 1264, meaning the former is socketed and the latter is soldered.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 7 251E is the superior processor on paper for demanding workloads. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, higher clock speeds, larger caches, dual-channel memory, ECC support, and Gen 5 PCIe all point to a desktop-class part designed for serious compute. The launch MSRP is $384, which positions it as a mainstream desktop processor. The lack of benchmark scores in the database, however, means that its actual measured performance cannot be verified, and the percentile rank of 50 is not a meaningful figure without underlying data.

The Intel Core 3 N350 is the verified performer in the database. Its benchmark scores are real and its percentile rank of 66 places it above the median of all CPUs. For mobile devices where power consumption is critical, the 7-watt TDP and BGA socket make it the appropriate choice. The single-channel memory and Gen 3 PCIe limit its bandwidth, but the measured scores show that it handles typical mobile workloads competently.

Users who need a desktop processor with high core counts, ECC memory, and modern PCIe should select the Core 7 251E based on its specifications. Users who need a low-power mobile processor with verified benchmark performance should select the Core 3 N350. The database cannot confirm the Core 7 251E's actual speed, so the choice between them depends on whether verified results or raw specifications carry more weight.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E boosts to 5.60 GHz, and the Intel Core 3 N350 boosts to 3.90 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 N350 does not.

Q: How do the L3 cache sizes compare?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and the Intel Core 3 N350 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core 3 N350 supports single-channel memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does the Core 3 N350 have any recorded benchmark scores?

A: Yes, the Core 3 N350 has scores across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Passmark tests, with an average benchmark score of 9903 and a percentile rank of 66. The Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core 3 N350 uses the Twin Lake architecture with the codename Twin Lake, and its generation is listed as Core 3 (Alder Lake-N). The Intel Core 7 251E uses the Bartlett Lake codename with the generation Core 7 (Bartlett Lake). Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process node by Intel, but the die size differs: the Core 7 251E has a die size of 257 mm², while the Core 3 N350 has no recorded die size.

The core configurations differ fundamentally. The Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating that 8 of its cores support additional threads. The L1 cache layout also differs: the Core 3 N350 has 96 KB per core, while the Core 7 251E has 80 KB per core. L2 cache is shared on the Core 3 N350 at 2 MB total, but the Core 7 251E allocates 2 MB per core. L3 cache is shared on both, but the Core 7 251E has 36 MB versus 6 MB on the Core 3 N350.

Memory architecture is another key differentiator. The Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory with a single-channel bus. The Core 7 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus. The integrated graphics are identical, with both using UHD Graphics 770. PCIe support differs: the Core 3 N350 uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the Core 7 251E uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The table of differences between the two processors is extensive. The Intel Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, a base clock of 0.10 GHz, a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, and a TDP of 7 watts. The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, a base clock of 2.10 GHz, a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, and a TDP of 65 watts. The socket types differ: Intel BGA 1264 for the Core 3 N350 and Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 7 251E.

Cache specifications diverge on L1, L2, and L3. The Core 3 N350 has 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core 7 251E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, while the Core 7 251E supports only DDR4 and DDR5. The memory bus is single-channel on the Core 3 N350 and dual-channel on the Core 7 251E. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s.

ECC memory support is present only on the Core 7 251E. PCIe generation and lanes differ: Gen 3 with 9 lanes on the Core 3 N350, Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the Core 7 251E. The market segment is Mobile for the Core 3 N350 and Desktop for the Core 7 251E. The release dates are close, with the Core 3 N350 releasing on 2025-01-06 and the Core 7 251E on 2025-01-12. The Core 7 251E has a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core 3 N350 has no recorded launch MSRP. Part numbers are SRPNS for the Core 3 N350 and SRQDUQ657 for the Core 7 251E. Both processors are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.