Intel Core 3 N350 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a complete sweep: the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 3 N350. The margins are consistently wide, though the scale of the gap varies by workload type.

In Cinebench tests, the Core Ultra 9 285 demonstrates overwhelming dominance. The multi-core scores show a delta of -87.2% for the Core 3 N350 across R15, R20, and R23. Specifically, the Core Ultra 9 285 posts 4933 in R15 multi-core versus 632 for the Core 3 N350. In R20 multi-core, the gap is 20556 versus 2635. The R23 multi-core result is 48945 versus 6274, a difference of roughly 7.8 times. Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the Core Ultra 9 285 scoring 696 in R15, 2901 in R20, and 6909 in R23, against 89, 371, and 885 respectively for the Core 3 N350. The single-core delta remains -87.2% in each case.

PassMark results show a slightly different spread of margins. The narrowest gap appears in single-threaded tests: the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 4881 against 1974 for the Core 3 N350, a delta of -59.6%. This is the smallest relative difference in the entire dataset, indicating that the Core 3 N350's single-thread performance is comparatively less disadvantaged than its multi-thread showing. The widest margin appears in the find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 459 versus 20, a delta of -95.6%. Extended instructions show a -91.2% delta (45357 versus 3981), and floating point math shows -90.9% (194988 versus 17781).

Integer math delivers a delta of -83.2% (164869 versus 27669), while data compression shows -86.6% (602121 versus 80444). Data encryption is -87.9% (46949 versus 5693), physics is -87.6% (3598 versus 446), and multi-thread is -87% (56602 versus 7382). Random string sorting shows -86.3% (73651 versus 10102).

The average benchmark score tells the broader story: the Core Ultra 9 285 averages 75488, while the Core 3 N350 averages 9903. The Core Ultra 9 285 sits at the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 3 N350 sits at the 66th percentile. The nearest rival comparisons confirm the positioning: the Core Ultra 9 285 trades within 0.3% of AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755, and within 0.2% of AMD EPYC 4545P. The Core 3 N350 sits within 2.3% of Intel Core i5-1035G1 and within 2% of Intel Core i7-3770.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design lineages. The Core 3 N350 uses the Twin Lake architecture, listed under the Core 3 generation with the Alder Lake-N family. It is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arrow Lake, specifically Arrow Lake-S, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The manufacturing gap alone explains much of the efficiency and density difference.

Core counts diverge sharply. The Core 3 N350 provides 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285 provides 24 cores and 24 threads. Neither part uses hyper-threading in the recorded data, so threads equal cores in both cases. The Core Ultra 9 285 also carries a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 3 N350 has no recorded transistor or die size data.

Cache hierarchies reflect the performance gap. The Core 3 N350 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 9 285 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The L3 difference alone is sixfold. L2 is also organized differently: the Core 3 N350 shares 2 MB across all cores, while the Core Ultra 9 285 allocates 3 MB per core.

Memory support separates the two further. The Core 3 N350 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 9 285 supports only DDR5 but uses a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is absent on the Core 3 N350 but present on the Core Ultra 9 285. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 3 N350 uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 3 N350 carries UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Clock speeds show a gap in boost: the Core 3 N350 boosts to 3.90 GHz from a 0.10 GHz base, while the Core Ultra 9 285 boosts to 5.60 GHz from a 2.50 GHz base. The base clock of 0.10 GHz is notably unusual, suggesting a very low idle floor for the mobile part. Thermal design power differs substantially: 7 watts for the Core 3 N350 versus 65 watts for the Core Ultra 9 285.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 9 285 wins every recorded benchmark, so the meaningful question is where the Core 3 N350 is less disadvantaged. The single-thread tests offer the closest comparison. The PassMark single-thread delta of -59.6% is the smallest margin in the dataset. This indicates that for lightly threaded tasks, the Core 3 N350 retains a larger fraction of the Core Ultra 9 285's capability than in any other workload.

The Core 3 N350 also shows relative strength in integer math, with a -83.2% delta, the second-smallest margin. Data compression at -86.6% and random string sorting at -86.3% follow closely. The weakest areas for the Core 3 N350 are prime number finding at -95.6%, extended instructions at -91.2%, and floating point math at -90.9%. These workloads heavily favor the Core Ultra 9 285's wider execution resources and larger caches.

The Core 3 N350's market segment is mobile, while the Core Ultra 9 285 is desktop. The 7-watt TDP against 65 watts suggests the Core 3 N350 is designed for fanless or low-power portable systems, whereas the Core Ultra 9 285 targets high-performance desktop builds. The Core 3 N350 uses Intel BGA 1264, a soldered mobile socket, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Intel Socket 1851, a desktop socket. The Core 3 N350's release date is 2025-01-06, while the Core Ultra 9 285 released on 2024-12-31, only days earlier.

The Core Ultra 9 285's percentile ranking of 95 versus the Core 3 N350's 66 places it in the top tier of the database, while the Core 3 N350 sits above the median but below the high-performance range. The average benchmark score of 75488 versus 9903 shows a 7.6-fold gap in overall throughput.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is the superior processor for every measured workload, with the largest advantages in multi-threaded compute, extended instruction sets, and floating point operations. The Core 3 N350 cannot compete on raw performance in any benchmark category.

However, the data also shows why the Core 3 N350 exists. Its 7-watt TDP, mobile socket, and support for DDR4 and LPDDR5 alongside DDR5 make it suitable for low-power, compact systems where the 65-watt desktop part with DDR5-only support would not fit. The Core 3 N350's single-thread performance, while far behind, is its least-disadvantaged area, meaning basic responsiveness and light tasks are its best case.

The Core Ultra 9 285, with its 24 cores, 36 MB of L3 cache, dual-channel 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, is positioned for demanding desktop workloads such as rendering, compilation, and data processing. Its nearest rivals in the database are AMD EPYC server parts and Ryzen 7 PRO processors, confirming its placement in the high-end desktop and workstation tier.

The Core 3 N350's nearest rivals are older desktop and mobile parts like the Intel Core i7-3770 and Intel Core i5-1035G1, indicating it performs in the range of a mid-generation 2010s desktop CPU or a modest mobile chip. The production status for both is listed as Active, so both remain available, but they serve entirely different market segments.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 3 N350 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in the recorded benchmarks?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 459 versus 20 for the Core 3 N350, a delta of -95.6%.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap between the two?

A: The smallest gap is in the PassMark single-thread test, where the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 4881 versus 1974 for the Core 3 N350, a delta of -59.6%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 N350 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s with a dual-channel bus, while the Intel Core 3 N350 has 38.4 GB/s with a single-channel bus.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 3 N350 uses a 10 nm process at Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses a 3 nm process at TSMC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 N350 | Intel Core Ultra 9 285 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 24 |

| Threads | 8 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 0.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 7 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Twin Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Twin Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Generation | Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) | Ultra 9 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-01-06 | 2024-12-31 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $579 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | SRPNS | SRQD4 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 66 | 95 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 9903 | 75488 |