Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core 5 320, which wins 16 of the 17 recorded comparisons. The Intel Core 3 N355 manages a single win, in PassMark integer math, where it scores 33894 against 32323, a 4.9% advantage. That narrow result stands alone against a broad sweep of Core 5 320 wins.

The largest gaps appear in single-threaded and floating-point workloads. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 320 scores 1926 versus 1039 for the Core 3 N355, a 46.1% difference. PassMark single-thread shows the same pattern: 4045 against 2153, a 46.8% gap. PassMark floating-point math delivers 42440 for the Core 5 320 versus 22695, a 46.5% margin. These results indicate a substantial per-core performance advantage for the Core 5 320, consistent with its higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz compared to 3.90 GHz.

Multi-threaded benchmarks also favor the Core 5 320, though the margins vary. Cinebench R15 multicore gives 1054 versus 822, a 22% difference. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 5462 against 3612, a 33.9% gap. Cinebench R23 multicore narrows to 6197 versus 5262, a 15.1% difference. PassMark multithread records 15450 for the Core 5 320 and 10174 for the Core 3 N355, a 34.1% gap. The Core 5 320 delivers these results with 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core 3 N355 uses 8 cores and 8 threads, so the per-core efficiency of the Core 5 320 is the deciding factor.

Specialized workloads show similar dominance. PassMark extended instructions gives 13262 for the Core 5 320 versus 5968, a 55% difference, the largest relative gap in the dataset. PassMark find prime numbers records 110 against 27, a 75.5% margin. PassMark physics shows 1221 versus 625, a 48.8% gap. Data compression favors the Core 5 320 at 148779 against 117435, a 21.1% margin, and data encryption follows at 10984 versus 8121, a 26.1% gap. Random string sorting completes the sweep at 18038 versus 14706, an 18.5% difference.

The average benchmark score reflects this overall trend. The Core 5 320 averages 18023, while the Core 3 N355 averages 13492. The Core 5 320 also sits at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, compared to the 68th percentile for the Core 3 N355. In the wider database, the Core 3 N355 lands near the Intel Core i3-12100F with a 0% delta, the Intel Core i5-9500 at 0.3% ahead, and the Intel Core 5 120UL at 0.8% behind. The Core 5 320 sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 0.2% ahead, the Intel Core 5 120U at 0.7% ahead, and the Intel Core i5-1334U at 0.7% behind.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core 5 320. It records 4045 in PassMark single-thread and 1926 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core 3 N355 records 2153 and 1039 respectively.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 N355 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark integer math with 33894 against 32323, a 4.9% advantage.

Q: How large is the performance gap in floating-point math?

A: The Core 5 320 scores 42440 in PassMark floating-point math, which is 46.5% higher than the Core 3 N355's 22695.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 320, with 18023 versus 13492 for the Intel Core 3 N355.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 5 320 scores 110 against 27, a 75.5% difference.

Q: How do the two processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The Core 5 320 supports 59.7 GB/s, while the Core 3 N355 supports 38.4 GB/s. Both use a single-channel memory bus.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use different microarchitectures and process nodes. The Intel Core 3 N355 is built on the Twin Lake architecture, listed as a 10 nm process, with the codename Twin Lake. The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process. The Core 3 N355 is part of the Core 3 generation (Alder Lake-N), while the Core 5 320 belongs to the Core 5 generation (Wildcat Lake).

Core counts differ. The Core 3 N355 provides 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 320 provides 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither processor supports multithreading beyond one thread per core. The cache hierarchy also differs. The Core 3 N355 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 320 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support diverges. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory. The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory. The Core 5 320 offers higher memory bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s, compared to 38.4 GB/s for the Core 3 N355. Both use a single-channel memory bus, and neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 3 N355 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 320 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 3 N355 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 5 320 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

Both processors are mobile segments, active in production, and use locked multipliers. The Core 3 N355 uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket, while the Core 5 320 uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket. The release dates differ: the Core 3 N355 launched on 2025-01-06, and the Core 5 320 launched on 2026-04-15. The Core 5 320 has a launch MSRP of $340; the Core 3 N355 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The base clock differs: the Core 3 N355 runs at 1.90 GHz, while the Core 5 320 runs at 1.50 GHz. Boost clocks reverse the order: the Core 3 N355 boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the Core 5 320 boosts to 4.60 GHz. Both have a TDP of 15.

Cores and threads: the Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, the Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The process node differs: 10 nm for the Core 3 N355, 3 nm for the Core 5 320. The codenames differ: Twin Lake versus Wildcat Lake.

Cache configurations differ. The Core 3 N355 lists 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core 5 320 lists 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 for the Core 3 N355 versus DDR5, LPDDR5X for the Core 5 320. Memory bandwidth differs: 38.4 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. PCIe differs: Gen 3 with 9 lanes versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1264 versus Intel BGA 1516. Part numbers differ: SRPNT versus SAE3H. Release dates differ: 2025-01-06 versus 2026-04-15. The Core 5 320 has a launch MSRP of $340; the Core 3 N355 has none recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 320 wins across nearly the entire benchmark suite. It leads in all Cinebench tests, both single-core and multicore, across R15, R20, and R23. It leads in PassMark data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating-point math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. These wins span general productivity, encryption workloads, physics simulation, and instruction-heavy tasks. The data indicates that workloads relying on per-core speed, boost frequency, or memory bandwidth will favor the Core 5 320.

The Intel Core 3 N355 wins exactly one benchmark: PassMark integer math, with 33894 against 32323, a 4.9% margin. This suggests that integer-heavy calculations that scale with core count can benefit from the Core 3 N355's 8 cores. That advantage, however, is narrow and isolated. The Core 3 N355 also holds a lower TDP-equivalent position in the sense that both processors share a 15 TDP, so the extra cores do not cost additional power budget, but the benchmark results do not show a broader multicore advantage.

For workloads such as data compression or random string sorting, the Core 5 320 leads by 21.1% and 18.5% respectively. For encryption tasks, the Core 5 320 leads by 26.1%. For physics simulation, the lead reaches 48.8%. These are not marginal differences. The Core 5 320 also dominates in single-threaded responsiveness, with a 46.8% lead in PassMark single-thread and a 46.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear decision. The Intel Core 5 320 outperforms the Intel Core 3 N355 in 16 of 17 benchmarks, with an average score of 18023 versus 13492. The Core 5 320 also holds a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs, 72nd versus 68th. Anyone selecting between these two for general computing, multi-threaded rendering, encryption, or single-thread performance should choose the Core 5 320 based on the benchmark results.

The Intel Core 3 N355 offers one specific advantage: PassMark integer math, where its 8 cores produce a 4.9% win. That result indicates a narrow niche for integer-heavy workloads that respond to additional cores. However, the Core 5 320 wins every other recorded test, including all multicore Cinebench runs, despite having fewer cores. The Core 5 320's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, newer 3 nm process, and higher memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s all appear aligned with its benchmark dominance.

The Core 5 320 also carries the only recorded launch MSRP of $340. The Core 3 N355 has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors are active in production, both target mobile, and both use single-channel memory. The Core 5 320 uses PCIe Gen 4, while the Core 3 N355 uses PCIe Gen 3. The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the Core 3 N355 also supports DDR4, which may matter for platform compatibility but does not appear in the benchmark outcomes.

For users prioritizing raw benchmark performance, the choice is the Intel Core 5 320. For users with workloads specifically dominated by integer math, the Core 3 N355 shows a limited edge. The benchmark database records no other test where the Core 3 N355 leads.