Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 7 160UL Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between the Intel Core 3 N355 and the Intel Core 7 160UL is not a simple matter of one chip dominating every task. The recorded data shows 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the Intel Core 7 160UL taking 12 wins and the Intel Core 3 N355 taking 5. That is a clear overall advantage for the Core 7 160UL, but the distribution of wins reveals distinct specialties.

The Intel Core 3 N355 wins exclusively in memory and data-handling workloads. It beats the Core 7 160UL in data compression (7.8% ahead), data encryption (13.6% ahead), extended instructions (2.3% ahead), and random string sorting (24.2% ahead). These are tasks that stress memory bandwidth, cache efficiency, and instruction throughput in ways that favor the N355's architecture. The N355's single-core Cinebench R15 result also goes its way, with a 26.3% lead, which is an outlier compared to the rest of the single-threaded tests.

The Intel Core 7 160UL, by contrast, dominates compute-heavy and multi-threaded workloads. It wins every Cinebench multicore test, including a massive 43.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore. It also wins integer math (28.7% ahead), floating point math (11.6% ahead), prime number finding (46% ahead), physics simulation (23.7% ahead), and the PassMark multithread suite (7.9% ahead). The single-threaded PassMark results also favor the Core 7 160UL by 36.5%, which contradicts the Cinebench R15 single-core result.

In practical terms, the Core 3 N355 is the better choice for tasks like file compression, encryption, and string manipulation, where its memory subsystem and instruction handling give it an edge. The Core 7 160UL is the better choice for rendering, scientific computing, integer-heavy code, and any workload that scales with more cores and threads. The data suggests a clear use-case split: data-oriented tasks favor the N355, compute-oriented tasks favor the 160UL.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design lineages. The Intel Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, which is part of the Alder Lake-N generation. The Intel Core 7 160UL uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS variant. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process and both have a 15 W TDP, but the similarities end there.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core 7 160UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating that two of its cores support hyper-threading. This gives the 160UL a raw thread advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

Cache layouts are also distinct. The N355 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 160UL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 160UL's larger L3 cache (double the N355's) and per-core L2 allocation help explain its multicore performance lead.

Memory support differs as well. The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but only in a single-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core 7 160UL supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, though no memory bandwidth figure is recorded for it. Dual-channel memory access is generally advantageous for bandwidth-sensitive workloads.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The N355 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 160UL uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe standard on the 160UL offers higher per-lane bandwidth.

Integrated graphics are different as well. The N355 carries UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 7 160UL carries Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Iris Xe solution is positioned as the more capable integrated GPU.

The socket types also diverge: the N355 uses Intel BGA 1264, while the Core 7 160UL uses Intel Socket 1700. The N355 is classified as a mobile segment processor, while the Core 7 160UL is classified as desktop segment, despite both having a 15 W TDP. The N355 was released on January 6, 2025, while the Core 7 160UL was released on April 7, 2024.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results paint a mixed picture. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 7 160UL scores 946 against the N355's 822, a 13.1% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the 160UL scores 3942 against 3612, an 8.4% lead. The gap widens dramatically in Cinebench R23 multicore: the 160UL scores 9386 against 5262, a 43.9% lead. This suggests the 160UL scales better with sustained multi-threaded load.

Single-core Cinebench results are inconsistent. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the N355 wins with 168 against 133, a 26.3% advantage. However, in Cinebench R20 single-core, the 160UL wins with 556 against 509, an 8.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 160UL wins again with 1325 against 1039, a 21.6% lead. The R15 result for the N355 appears to be an anomaly relative to the newer Cinebench versions.

PassMark results reinforce the 160UL's compute advantage. In integer math, the 160UL scores 47515 against 33894, a 28.7% lead. In floating point math, it scores 25670 against 22695, an 11.6% lead. In prime number finding, it scores 50 against 27, a 46% lead. In physics, it scores 819 against 625, a 23.7% lead. The PassMark multithread score is closer: 11043 against 10174, a 7.9% lead.

The N355's wins in PassMark data-oriented tests are notable. Data compression shows 117435 against 108953, a 7.8% lead. Data encryption shows 8121 against 7146, a 13.6% lead. Extended instructions show 5968 against 5832, a 2.3% lead. Random string sorting shows 14706 against 11843, a 24.2% lead. These are not trivial margins, especially random string sorting where the N355 is nearly a quarter faster.

The single-threaded PassMark score heavily favors the 160UL: 3391 against 2153, a 36.5% lead. This is consistent with its higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus the N355's 3.90 GHz.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core 7 160UL is the stronger processor for the majority of workloads, but the Intel Core 3 N355 has a specific niche where it excels.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, rendering, physics simulation, or integer-heavy computation, the Core 7 160UL is the correct choice. Its 43.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 28.7% lead in integer math are decisive. The 160UL also holds a 36.5% advantage in single-threaded PassMark, which matters for general responsiveness and lightly threaded applications. The larger L3 cache (12 MB shared) and dual-channel memory support provide architectural grounding for these results.

For users prioritizing data compression, encryption, or string manipulation, the Core 3 N355 is the better option. Its 24.2% lead in random string sorting and 13.6% lead in data encryption are substantial. The N355's single-channel memory configuration and different cache hierarchy apparently serve these workloads well, despite the theoretical bandwidth disadvantage.

The overall average benchmark score favors the Core 7 160UL: 14232 against 13492, a difference of 740 points. The 160UL also sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs, while the N355 sits at the 68th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 160UL include the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (0.3% behind) and the Intel Core i5-10400F (0.3% ahead), placing it in a competitive mid-range position. The N355's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100F (0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-9500 (0.3% behind), showing it trades blows with older desktop parts.

The verdict is workload-dependent. If the task list is dominated by compute and multi-threading, the Core 7 160UL wins outright. If the task list is dominated by data transformation and encryption, the Core 3 N355 is the surprising winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL wins decisively with a score of 9386 against 5262, a 43.9% lead.

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

A: Yes, the N355 wins 5 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, including data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and Cinebench R15 single-core.

Q: What is the difference in single-threaded PassMark scores?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL scores 3391 while the Intel Core 3 N355 scores 2153, giving the 160UL a 36.5% advantage.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory configurations do the two processors support?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 in a single-channel configuration. The Intel Core 7 160UL supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 N355 | Intel Core 7 160UL |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Twin Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Twin Lake | Raptor Lake-PS |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-01-06 | 2024-04-07 |

| Part Number | SRPNT | unknown |