Intel Core 3 N350 vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 3 N350 and Intel Core 7 251TE occupy entirely different performance classes. The Core 7 251TE wins every single benchmark in the comparison, 17 out of 17 tests, with no wins for the Core 3 N350. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the Core 7 251TE scores 41650, while the Core 3 N350 scores 9903, a gap of roughly 4.2 times. The Core 7 251TE also sits at the 88th percentile across all CPUs, compared to the Core 3 N350's 66th percentile.

The Core 3 N350 is a mobile-oriented, low-power processor with a 7 W TDP, designed for compact systems where efficiency takes priority over raw throughput. The Core 7 251TE is a desktop part with a 45 W TDP, aimed at workloads that need many threads and high clock speeds. Anyone choosing between these two should base the decision on platform requirements first: the Core 3 N350 uses Intel BGA 1264, while the Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700. The Core 3 N350 is the only sensible pick for a small, fanless or lightly cooled mobile system. The Core 7 251TE is the pick for a desktop build where performance per watt is secondary to absolute performance.

Data indicates the Core 7 251TE delivers roughly 307% higher average benchmark score than the Core 3 N350. That is not a close contest, and the individual test deltas confirm a consistent, wide margin across every category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The Core 3 N350 uses the Twin Lake architecture, listed under the Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) generation, while the Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture under the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node and both are manufactured by Intel, but the similarities stop there.

The Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 0.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The thread count difference is significant: 32 threads versus 8 threads means the Core 7 251TE can handle four times as many concurrent threads.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Core 3 N350 uses 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core 7 251TE uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Core 7 251TE's L3 cache is six times larger, which matters for workloads with large working sets. The die size for the Core 7 251TE is 215 mm², while the Core 3 N350 has no recorded die size.

Memory support also differs. The Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 251TE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 N350 does not. PCIe connectivity is another divider: the Core 3 N350 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the Core 7 251TE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Both processors integrate UHD Graphics 770, so the iGPU model is identical. The Core 3 N350 is classified as a Mobile part, while the Core 7 251TE is classified as Desktop. The Core 7 251TE launched on 2025-01-12, six days after the Core 3 N350's 2025-01-06 release date.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 7 251TE wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from a narrow 44.7% advantage in single-threaded tests to a massive 85.7% advantage in prime number finding.

In Cinebench tests, the Core 7 251TE is consistently about 75.4% faster. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 2572 versus 632. In R15 singlecore, it scores 362 versus 89. The R20 multicore result is 10717 versus 2635, and R20 singlecore is 1512 versus 371. R23 multicore shows 25518 versus 6274, and R23 singlecore shows 3602 versus 885. Every Cinebench delta sits between 75.4% and 75.5%, indicating a uniform scaling factor across both single-threaded and multithreaded rendering workloads.

PassMark tests show a wider spread. Data compression favors the Core 7 251TE at 334399 versus 80444, a 75.9% delta. Data encryption is 22176 versus 5693, a 74.3% delta. Extended instructions score 16974 versus 3981, a 76.5% delta. The largest gap is in finding prime numbers: 140 versus 20, an 85.7% delta. Floating point math shows 85607 versus 17781, a 79.2% delta. Integer math is 125739 versus 27669, a 78% delta. Multithreaded performance is 30022 versus 7382, a 75.4% delta. Physics simulation scores 1938 versus 446, a 77% delta. Random string sorting is 39643 versus 10102, a 74.5% delta.

The smallest delta is in single-threaded PassMark tests. The Core 7 251TE scores 3568 versus the Core 3 N350's 1974, a 44.7% advantage. This is still a decisive win, but it shows that the Core 3 N350's single-core performance is relatively closer to the larger chip than its multi-core performance. The Core 7 251TE's boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 3.90 GHz explains part of that single-thread gap, while the 24-core versus 8-core count drives the multithreaded gap.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark tests. The Intel Core 3 N350 has zero recorded wins.

Q: How much faster is the Core 7 251TE in single-threaded performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, the Core 7 251TE scores 3568 versus 1974, a 44.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, it scores 3602 versus 885, a 75.4% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread difference?

A: The Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs use the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both list UHD Graphics 770 as their integrated GPU.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with a single-channel bus. The Core 7 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and also supports ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 7 251TE boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Core 3 N350 boosts to 3.90 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Core 3 N350 has a 7 W TDP, while the Core 7 251TE has a 45 W TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 251TE wins in every measured category, but the magnitude of the win varies. Its largest advantages come in integer-heavy and prime-finding workloads. The prime number test shows an 85.7% delta, and integer math shows a 78% delta. These are workloads that scale with core count and high clock speeds, both of which favor the 24-core, 5.40 GHz part. Floating point math also strongly favors the Core 7 251TE at a 79.2% delta, and physics simulation shows a 77% delta.

The Core 7 251TE also dominates in all Cinebench rendering tests with a uniform 75.4% to 75.5% delta. This suggests that multithreaded rendering workloads will see roughly the same relative improvement regardless of whether the test uses R15, R20, or R23. Data compression, encryption, extended instructions, and random string sorting all show deltas between 74.3% and 76.5%, meaning the Core 7 251TE delivers roughly four times the throughput in these tasks.

The Core 3 N350's relative strength, if it can be called that, is in single-threaded PassMark tests. The 44.7% delta there is the smallest gap between the two chips. That still means the Core 7 251TE is roughly 81% faster in single-threaded PassMark terms, but it is the only place where the Core 3 N350 comes within a smaller margin. The Core 3 N350's 7 W TDP and mobile classification make it the only viable choice for battery-powered or passively cooled systems, and its support for LPDDR5 memory fits low-power mobile designs. The Core 3 N350 also uses Intel BGA 1264, a soldered mobile socket, whereas the Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket.

For desktop builders, the Core 7 251TE is the clear choice. It offers ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and a 36 MB L3 cache. It also carries a launch MSRP of $384. The Core 3 N350 has no recorded launch MSRP. The Core 7 251TE's 88th percentile ranking versus the Core 3 N350's 66th percentile confirms its higher standing in the overall CPU performance distribution.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 0.10 GHz versus 1.40 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.90 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. TDP is 7 W versus 45 W.

Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1264 for the Core 3 N350, Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 7 251TE. The Core 3 N350 uses the Twin Lake architecture under the Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) generation. The Core 7 251TE uses Bartlett Lake under the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation. Both use Intel's 10 nm process. The Core 7 251TE has a recorded die size of 215 mm², while the Core 3 N350 has none.

Cache configurations differ. The Core 3 N350 uses 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core 7 251TE uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with single-channel bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Core 7 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Core 7 251TE.

PCIe capabilities differ: Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the Core 3 N350, Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 7 251TE. The integrated GPU is the same UHD Graphics 770 on both. Market segments differ: Mobile for the Core 3 N350, Desktop for the Core 7 251TE. Release dates are 2025-01-06 for the Core 3 N350 and 2025-01-12 for the Core 7 251TE. The Core 7 251TE has a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core 3 N350 has none. Both have locked multipliers. Part numbers are SRPNS for the Core 3 N350 and SRQAXQ5ZG for the Core 7 251TE.