Intel Core 3 N350 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H dominates. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 16331 versus 6274 for the Core 3 N350, a 61.6% advantage. The gap widens in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ultra 5 scores 2504 against 632, a 74.8% lead.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core Ultra 5 338H is far ahead in every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it posts 2044 versus 885, a 56.7% delta. PassMark single-thread shows 4180 versus 1974, a 52.8% edge for the Ultra 5.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Core Ultra 5 338H has an average benchmark score of 33989, while the Core 3 N350 averages 9903. The Ultra 5 also sits at the 84th percentile among all CPUs, compared to the 66th percentile for the N350.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Neither processor supports hyper-threading, so thread counts equal core counts.

Q: What process nodes do these chips use?

A: The Core 3 N350 uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 338H uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: How do their integrated graphics differ?

A: The Core 3 N350 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 338H includes Arc B370. The database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks for these two iGPUs, but the model names alone indicate different tiers.

Architecture Differences

The Core 3 N350 is built on the Twin Lake architecture, part of the Core 3 generation derived from Alder Lake-N. It uses 8 cores with 8 threads, no hyper-threading, and a base clock of 0.10 GHz with a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The process node is 10 nm. Cache structure includes 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

The Core Ultra 5 338H belongs to the Panther Lake-H generation, series Core Ultra Series 3. It has 12 cores and 12 threads, again without hyper-threading. Base clock is 1.90 GHz, boost clock is 4.70 GHz. The process node is 3 nm. Cache is substantially larger: 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 5 supports only LPDDR5X, but uses a dual-channel bus with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. That is a major architectural difference for memory-bound tasks.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The N350 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). The Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The newer generation and higher bandwidth of Gen 5 gives the Ultra 5 more headroom for fast peripherals, despite fewer lanes.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1264 for the N350 versus Intel BGA 2540 for the Ultra 5. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates differ by almost a year, with the N350 launching on 2025-01-06 and the Ultra 5 on 2026-01-04. Both are active production parts.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 3 N350 does not win a single benchmark in this comparison. Across all 17 head-to-head tests, the Core Ultra 5 338H takes every victory. The N350's strongest relative result is PassMark single-thread, where it trails by 52.8%, and Cinebench R23 single-core, where it trails by 56.7%. Those are still decisive losses.

For use-case planning, the N350 is best suited to ultra-low-power mobile systems where its 7 W TDP and modest 8-core configuration keep thermals and battery draw low. The data shows it is a capable entry-level part for basic tasks, light browsing, and office work, but its benchmark scores place it in the lower half of CPUs overall (66th percentile).

The Core Ultra 5 338H is the clear choice for any performance-focused mobile workload. Its 25 W TDP allows much higher sustained clocks and its 12 cores with 18 MB L3 cache handle multi-threaded rendering, compilation, and data processing far better. The 84th percentile ranking and average score of 33989 place it in a different class entirely.

The biggest gap appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 scores 304 versus 20, a 93.4% difference. This indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy, single-threaded math operations. For users running scientific calculations, encryption, or compression workloads, the Ultra 5 is overwhelmingly stronger.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 N350 | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 0.10 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 7 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Twin Lake | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) | Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc B370 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | Active |

| Release Date | 2025-01-06 | 2026-01-04 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | SRPNS | SA4REQ9EW |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 338H wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The margins vary from 52.8% to 93.4%, but every test shows the same direction.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 2504 versus 632, a 74.8% advantage. Single-core R15 shows 305 versus 89, a 70.8% lead. Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern: multi-core 10213 versus 2635 (74.2% delta), single-core 1441 versus 371 (74.3% delta).

Cinebench R23 narrows the gap slightly but still heavily favors the Ultra 5. Multi-core is 16331 versus 6274, a 61.6% difference. Single-core is 2044 versus 885, a 56.7% difference. These are the closest relative results in the entire comparison, indicating that the N350's efficiency cores scale less poorly in newer rendering workloads, but the absolute performance gap remains enormous.

PassMark tests show even larger deltas. Data compression: 276539 versus 80444, a 70.9% edge. Data encryption: 21367 versus 5693, a 73.4% edge. Extended instructions: 23906 versus 3981, an 83.3% edge. Find prime numbers: 304 versus 20, a 93.4% edge. Floating point math: 84067 versus 17781, a 78.8% edge. Integer math: 64934 versus 27669, a 57.4% edge.

Multithreaded PassMark score is 28717 versus 7382, a 74.3% difference. Physics: 2697 versus 446, an 83.5% difference. Random string sorting: 34082 versus 10102, a 70.4% difference. Single-thread PassMark: 4180 versus 1974, a 52.8% difference.

The smallest relative wins for the Ultra 5 are in single-thread workloads (52.8% to 56.7%), while the largest are in prime number finding (93.4%) and physics (83.5%). This pattern suggests the Ultra 5 benefits most from higher clock speeds, larger caches, and the 3 nm process, particularly in workloads that cannot be parallelized easily.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H outperforms the Intel Core 3 N350 in every single benchmark recorded. There is no workload category in this database where the N350 comes out ahead.

The Core 3 N350 should be selected only for scenarios where its 7 W TDP is the overriding constraint. Fanless designs, ultra-thin notebooks, or battery-first devices that never need sustained performance would use this chip. Its 66th percentile ranking and average score of 9903 indicate it is a functional but modest processor. The nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3770 (2% faster) and Intel Core i5-1035G1 (2.3% faster), so it sits in familiar territory for older mainstream laptops.

The Core Ultra 5 338H is the correct choice for any performance-sensitive mobile system. Its 84th percentile ranking and average score of 33989 place it alongside the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (0.3% faster) and Intel Core i7-12800HX (0.3% slower). With 12 cores, 18 MB L3 cache, dual-channel LPDDR5X memory at 136.5 GB/s, and PCIe Gen 5 support, it provides a platform that can handle demanding applications without compromise.

The 3 nm process node and 4.70 GHz boost clock give the Ultra 5 a decisive edge in single-threaded responsiveness. The larger cache hierarchy and dual-channel memory bus eliminate bottlenecks that the N350's single-channel 38.4 GB/s configuration cannot avoid. For builders choosing a mobile platform, the Ultra 5 338H is the performance pick, and the N350 is the efficiency pick. No benchmark in the database suggests otherwise.