Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 7 251E Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 3 N355 and the Intel Core 7 251E occupy entirely different segments of the processor market. The N355 is a mobile-first, low-power part with 8 cores and 8 threads, built on the Twin Lake architecture, while the 251E is a desktop part with 24 cores and 32 threads on the Bartlett Lake architecture. The recorded data shows the 251E has a higher base clock (2.10 GHz vs 1.90 GHz), a substantially higher boost clock (5.60 GHz vs 3.90 GHz), a much larger L3 cache (36 MB vs 6 MB), dual-channel memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes. The N355 counter with a smaller footprint: 15 W TDP, single-channel memory at 38.4 GB/s, and Gen 3 PCIe with 9 lanes.

The benchmark data in the database only includes scores for the N355. The 251E has no recorded benchmark scores, no average score, and no nearest rivals listed. This limits direct quantitative comparison. However, the architectural data alone indicates the 251E is positioned for heavy workloads: 3 times the cores, 4 times the threads, and a significantly higher boost clock. The N355, by contrast, is the only one of the two with any measured performance data, and it sits at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 13492. The 251E sits at the 50th percentile, though this percentile is recorded without benchmark scores, suggesting the database places it in the median range based on its specifications or limited data.

For who should pick which: the N355 suits mobile or low-power systems where the 15 W TDP and compact BGA 1264 socket are appropriate. The 251E, with a 65 W TDP, Socket 1700, ECC memory support, and a launch MSRP of $384, targets desktop systems that require high core counts and memory bandwidth. The data does not support a direct performance verdict, but the specifications clearly separate the two: the N355 for efficiency and mobility, the 251E for throughput and expandability.

Where Each One Wins

The N355 wins in power efficiency and portability. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the 251E's 65 W TDP. It supports LPDDR5 memory, which the 251E does not, making it suitable for compact, battery-powered designs. Its single-channel memory bus at 38.4 GB/s is sufficient for light workloads, and its Gen 3 PCIe with 9 lanes keeps platform costs and complexity low. The database shows the N355 has active production status and a release date of January 6, 2025.

The 251E wins in raw capability. It has 24 cores and 32 threads versus 8 cores and 8 threads. Its dual-channel memory bus delivers 89.6 GB/s, more than double the N355's bandwidth. Its Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes enables high-speed storage and expansion, and its ECC memory support is absent on the N355. The 251E also has a larger die size at 257 mm², reflecting its more complex design, and a higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. Its L2 cache is 2 MB per core, compared to the N355's 2 MB shared, and its L3 cache is 36 MB shared versus 6 MB shared. The 251E was released on January 12, 2025, six days after the N355.

In benchmark terms, the N355's recorded scores show strength in specific workloads. Its PassMark single-thread score is 2153, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 1039. These figures are modest but respectable for a low-power part. The 251E has no recorded scores, so no direct win can be assigned. The data simply shows the 251E's specifications are in a different class.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use different architectures and codenames. The N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, listed as "Core 3 (Alder Lake-N)" generation, while the 251E uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, listed as "Core 7 (Bartlett Lake)" generation. Both are manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node.

Core and thread counts differ drastically: the N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, indicating no hyperthreading, while the 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating 8 of its cores support hyperthreading. The N355's L1 cache is 96 KB per core, while the 251E's is 80 KB per core. The L2 configuration is fundamentally different: the N355 has 2 MB shared across all cores, while the 251E has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 6 MB shared on the N355 versus 36 MB shared on the 251E.

Memory architecture differs. The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the 251E but not on the N355.

PCIe capabilities differ. The N355 has Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the 251E has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This affects possible storage and GPU configurations.

The sockets are incompatible: the N355 uses Intel BGA 1264, a soldered mobile socket, while the 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The 251E has a recorded die size of 257 mm², while the N355's die size is not recorded. Both use the same integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The power envelopes differ significantly: 15 W for the N355 versus 65 W for the 251E. The market segments reflect this: Mobile for the N355, Desktop for the 251E. Both are listed as Active in production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. The 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5. The N355 uses a single-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the 251E uses a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 7 251E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 N355 does not.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The N355 boosts to 3.90 GHz. The 251E boosts to 5.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher power draw?

A: The 251E has a 65 W TDP, while the N355 has a 15 W TDP.

Q: What is the L3 cache size on each?

A: The N355 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The 251E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table in the database is empty, and the wins counter shows 0 for both processors. This means there are no direct recorded comparisons between the N355 and the 251E. The only benchmark data available is for the N355 alone.

The N355's recorded scores provide a reference point for its performance class. In Cinebench R23, it scores 5262 multicore and 1039 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3612 multicore and 509 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 822 multicore and 168 single-core. Its PassMark scores include 10174 multithread, 2153 single-thread, 117435 data compression, 8121 data encryption, 5968 extended instructions, 27 find prime numbers, 22695 floating point math, 33894 integer math, 625 physics, and 14706 random string sorting.

The N355's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-12100F with an average score of 13494 and a delta of 0%, the Intel Core i5-9500 with 13452 and a delta of 0.3%, the Intel Core 5 120UL with 13594 and a delta of -0.8%, and the Intel Core i7-1250U with 13351 and a delta of 1.1%. The N355's average benchmark score is 13492, placing it within 1.1% of these rivals. This means the N355 performs essentially on par with the Core i3-12100F and Core i5-9500 in the database's aggregate metric, despite being a low-power mobile part. It is 0.8% behind the Core 5 120UL and 1.1% ahead of the Core i7-1250U.

The 251E has no benchmark scores, no average score, and no nearest rivals. Its percentile rank of 50 is recorded, but without test data, the database provides no measured performance figures for it. The comparison between the two must therefore rest on specifications. The 251E's 24 cores, 32 threads, 5.60 GHz boost, 36 MB L3 cache, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth all point to substantially higher multi-threaded throughput potential than the N355. The N355's 15 W TDP and 8 cores point to a much lower absolute performance ceiling, but also far lower power consumption.

The largest specification gaps favor the 251E: core count is 3 times higher, thread count is 4 times higher, L3 cache is 6 times larger, memory bandwidth is 2.33 times higher, and boost clock is 43.6% higher. The only areas where the N355 leads are power draw (15 W versus 65 W) and memory type flexibility (LPDDR5 support). The N355's L1 cache per core is larger at 96 KB versus 80 KB.

In the absence of direct head-to-head results, the data indicates a clear segmentation. The N355 is a capable low-power processor whose aggregate score matches mid-range desktop CPUs from earlier generations. The 251E is a high-core-count desktop processor with no recorded benchmark data, but specifications that place it in a higher performance tier. The database records the N355 at the 68th percentile of all CPUs, while the 251E is at the 50th percentile, a figure that likely reflects its specification-based classification rather than measured performance.