Intel Core 3 N350 vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14490F is the dominant performer in this comparison, winning all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core 3 N350. The data shows a complete sweep, with the Core i5-14490F delivering substantially higher scores across every single-threaded, multi-threaded, and specialized workload test. The Core 3 N350, while a capable low-power mobile processor, falls behind by margins ranging from roughly half to over four-fifths of the i5's output, depending on the specific test.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results show no overlap in performance strengths. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins every category, but the margins reveal where the gap is smallest and largest. The Core 3 N350's closest relative performance comes in the single-threaded PassMark tests, where it scores 1974 against the i5-14490F's 3873, a deficit of 49%. This indicates the N350's single-core architecture is comparatively less disadvantaged than its multi-core throughput.

The largest disparities appear in specialized compute tasks. In the PassMark extended instructions test, the Core i5-14490F scores 21731 versus 3981 for the N350, a delta of 81.7%. Similarly, the prime number finding test shows the N350 at 20 points against 122 for the i5, a gap of 83.6%. These results indicate that the i5-14490F is overwhelmingly better suited for workloads that rely on complex instruction sets and heavy integer mathematics.

For multi-threaded productivity, the Core i5-14490F delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23000, while the Core 3 N350 manages 6274, a difference of 72.7%. The data confirms that any task involving video rendering, software compilation, or other parallel workloads will favor the i5-14490F by a wide margin. The N350's only meaningful advantage lies outside raw performance: its 7 watt TDP makes it a fit for fanless or ultra-portable designs, whereas the i5-14490F consumes 65 watts and targets desktop systems.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Core 3 N350 uses the Twin Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process, and belongs to the Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) generation. It features 8 cores and 8 threads with no hyper-threading, a base clock of 0.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3.

The Core i5-14490F is a Raptor Lake part, specifically from the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, also on a 10 nm process. It provides 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating the presence of hyper-threading on some cores. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache hierarchy differs significantly: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 24 MB of shared L3. The die size for the i5-14490F is recorded at 215 mm², while the N350 has no die size listed.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory over a single-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with no memory bandwidth figure recorded. PCIe connectivity also differs: the N350 provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-14490F provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The N350 includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, whereas the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics (N/A). The N350 uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket and is a mobile part, while the i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop systems.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern of the Core i5-14490F outperforming the Core 3 N350 by roughly 72-73% across all runs. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 2318 against 632, a delta of 72.7%. The single-core R15 result is 327 versus 89, a delta of 72.8%. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 9660 against 2635 (72.7%), and R20 single-core shows 1363 versus 371 (72.8%). Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers 23000 versus 6274 (72.7%), and R23 single-core delivers 3247 versus 885 (72.7%). These near-identical percentages across all Cinebench versions indicate a fixed performance ratio between the two parts under this workload.

PassMark results show more variation. The smallest gap is in single-threaded tests: both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread record 3873 for the i5-14490F and 1974 for the N350, a delta of 49%. The largest gap is in extended instructions at 81.7% (21731 versus 3981), followed closely by prime number finding at 83.6% (122 versus 20). Floating point math shows the i5 at 66558 against 17781, a delta of 73.3%. Integer math shows 87844 versus 27669, a delta of 68.5%. Data compression results are 340026 versus 80444 (76.3%), and data encryption results are 18225 versus 5693 (68.8%). The multithread PassMark score is 28662 versus 7382 (74.2%), physics is 2093 versus 446 (78.7%), and random string sorting is 35608 versus 10102 (71.6%).

The average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy: the Core i5-14490F records an average of 38149, placing it at the 86th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T (delta of 0.1% below), the Intel Core i5-13600KF (0.1% above), the AMD Ryzen 7 250 (0.2% below), and the Intel Core i5-13600HX (0.3% below). The Core 3 N350 averages 9903, at the 66th percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i7-3770 (2% below), the Intel Core i5-1035G1 (2.3% below), the AMD EPYC 7F52 (2.5% above), and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8280 (3.2% above).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 N350 boosts to 3.90 GHz.

Q: How large is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Core i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 3 N350 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither processor supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Core 3 N350 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics (N/A).

Q: What is the memory bus width for each?

A: The Core 3 N350 uses a single-channel memory bus, while the Core i5-14490F uses a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: How does the core and thread count compare?

A: The Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 0.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.90 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. TDP is 7 watts for the N350 and 65 watts for the i5-14490F. The N350 uses Intel BGA 1264, while the i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700. Architectures differ as Twin Lake versus Raptor Lake, with generations listed as Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) versus Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh).

Cache configurations diverge: L1 is 96 KB per core for the N350 and 80 KB per core for the i5-14490F. L2 is 2 MB shared versus 1.25 MB per core. L3 is 6 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. The die size for the i5-14490F is 215 mm², and none is listed for the N350. Memory support includes LPDDR5 for the N350 but not for the i5-14490F. Memory bus is single-channel for the N350 and dual-channel for the i5-14490F. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s for the N350 and not recorded for the i5-14490F. PCIe is Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the N350 and Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the i5-14490F. Integrated graphics are present on the N350 (UHD Graphics 770) and absent on the i5-14490F. Market segments are Mobile for the N350 and Desktop for the i5-14490F. Release dates differ: the N350 released on 2025-01-06, while the i5-14490F released on 2023-12-31.

The Verdict

The benchmark data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Core i5-14490F is the superior processor for performance-oriented workloads. It wins every recorded head-to-head test, with multi-core deltas consistently near 73% or higher and single-thread deltas at 49%. Its 86th percentile ranking against all CPUs, average score of 38149, and closest rival list populated by other high-end desktop parts confirm its position as a strong mainstream desktop option.

The Intel Core 3 N350 serves a different role. Its 7 watt TDP, mobile socket, and integrated graphics point to low-power and portable system designs where battery life and thermal constraints take priority over raw throughput. Its 66th percentile ranking and average score of 9903 place it among older desktop processors and low-power mobile chips. For users requiring maximum compute performance in rendering, encryption, or mathematical workloads, the Core i5-14490F is the clear choice. For those prioritizing minimal power consumption in a mobile form factor, the Core 3 N350 is the only option between the two, but the data shows it cannot match the i5-14490F in any measured performance category.