Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records a decisive victory for the Intel Core 7 251TE across every single test in the database. Of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core 7 251TE wins all 17, with the Core 3 N355 failing to claim a single win. The largest margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core 7 251TE delivers a score of 140 against the Core 3 N355's 27, a delta of -80.7 percent from the Core 3's perspective. This indicates a massive gap in integer-heavy, single-threaded workloads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 251TE scores 25518 versus 5262 for the Core 3 N355, a -79.4 percent delta. This translates to nearly five times the multi-threaded rendering performance. The single-core R23 result shows a smaller but still substantial gap: 3602 against 1039, a -71.2 percent delta. The Core 7 251TE's advantage narrows somewhat in PassMark single-thread testing, where it posts 3568 against 2153, a -39.7 percent delta, the closest margin recorded between the two processors.

Looking at memory-sensitive workloads, the data compression test shows the Core 7 251TE at 334399 versus 117435, a -64.9 percent delta. Data encryption follows a similar pattern: 22176 against 8121, a -63.4 percent delta. Floating-point math heavily favors the larger chip, with 85607 versus 22695, a -73.5 percent delta. Integer math shows 125739 against 33894, a -73 percent delta. The extended instructions test records 16974 versus 5968, a -64.8 percent delta.

The multi-threaded PassMark score for the Core 7 251TE is 30022, compared to 10174 for the Core 3 N355, a -66.1 percent delta. Physics simulation results show 1938 versus 625, a -67.8 percent delta. Random string sorting, a test sensitive to memory bandwidth and cache behavior, records 39643 versus 14706, a -62.9 percent delta. Even the older Cinebench R15 and R20 tests confirm the trend: R15 multi-core shows 2572 versus 822, a -68 percent delta, while R20 multi-core shows 10717 versus 3612, a -66.3 percent delta. Single-core R15 records 362 versus 168, a -53.6 percent delta, and R20 single-core shows 1512 versus 509, a -66.3 percent delta.

The overall average benchmark score in the database places the Core 7 251TE at 41650, against 13492 for the Core 3 N355. The Core 7 251TE sits in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 N355 sits in the 68th percentile. Relative to its nearest rivals, the Core 7 251TE is essentially tied with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (delta 0.1 percent), the Intel Core i7-14650HX (delta 0.2 percent), and slightly behind the Intel Core i7-14700T (delta -0.6 percent). The Core 3 N355's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100F (delta 0 percent) and the Intel Core i5-9500 (delta 0.3 percent), indicating that the Core 3 N355 performs in the same tier as older mainstream desktop parts despite its mobile positioning.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in core configuration and design goals. The Intel Core 3 N355 uses 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyper-threading support, while the Intel Core 7 251TE provides 24 cores and 32 threads. The Core 3 N355 is built on the Twin Lake architecture with the codename Twin Lake, and its generation is listed as Core 3 (Alder Lake-N). The Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, with its generation listed as Core 7 (Bartlett Lake). Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process by Intel, but the Core 7 251TE has a die size of 215 mm², while the die size for the Core 3 N355 is not recorded.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The Core 3 N355 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Core 7 251TE has a lower base clock of 1.40 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz. This explains the Core 7 251TE's strong single-thread advantage: it can ramp much higher under load. The thermal design power also differs, with the Core 3 N355 rated at 15 watts and the Core 7 251TE at 45 watts, a threefold difference that reflects the larger core count and higher clock ceiling.

Cache hierarchies are markedly different. 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 7 251TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 pool on the Core 7 251TE (36 MB versus 6 MB) is a sixfold difference and likely contributes to its dominance in data compression and random string sorting tests. The L2 cache is also larger in aggregate on the Core 7 251TE given its 24 cores, despite the smaller per-core allocation.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but only on a single-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core 7 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, with memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, more than double the Core 3 N355's bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only on the Core 7 251TE. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core 3 N355 uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 251TE uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a significant upgrade in both generation and lane count.

The socket types are incompatible. The Core 3 N355 uses Intel BGA 1264, a soldered mobile package, while the Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop LGA socket. The market segments reflect this: the Core 3 N355 is listed as Mobile, and the Core 7 251TE is listed as Desktop. Both processors integrate UHD Graphics 770, but the production status for both is Active. The Core 3 N355 was released on 2025-01-06, and the Core 7 251TE on 2025-01-12, six days later.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, compared to 3.90 GHz for the Intel Core 3 N355. The Core 7 251TE also has a lower base clock at 1.40 GHz versus 1.90 GHz.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the Core 7 251TE?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 3 N355 has 6 MB. This is a sixfold difference in cache capacity.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 7 251TE supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 N355 does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Core 7 251TE has a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 3 N355 uses a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher PassMark multi-thread score?

A: The Core 7 251TE scores 30022 in PassMark multi-thread, against 10174 for the Core 3 N355, a -66.1 percent delta from the Core 3's perspective.

Q: Are the sockets the same?

A: No. The Core 3 N355 uses Intel BGA 1264, while the Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700. They are not interchangeable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 N355 | Intel Core 7 251TE |

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

| Cores | 8 | 24 |

| Threads | 8 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Twin Lake | Bartlett Lake |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 215 mm² |

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

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

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

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Part Number | SRPNT | SRQAXQ5ZG |

| Launch MSRP | None listed | $384 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 7 251TE outperforms the Intel Core 3 N355 in every recorded test, with deltas ranging from -39.7 percent in single-thread PassMark to -80.7 percent in prime number finding. The Core 7 251TE delivers more than double the memory bandwidth, a sixfold larger L3 cache, and a boost clock that is 1.50 GHz higher. Its 24 cores and 32 threads dwarf the 8 cores and 8 threads of the Core 3 N355.

The Core 7 251TE occupies the 88th percentile of all CPUs in the database, placing it in the same performance tier as recent high-end mobile and desktop parts like the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H and Intel Core i7-14650HX. The Core 3 N355, at the 68th percentile, sits alongside older mainstream desktop chips such as the Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-9500. For any workload that benefits from multi-threading, large caches, or high memory bandwidth, the Core 7 251TE is the clear choice. The Core 3 N355, being a 15-watt mobile part, remains suitable for power-constrained systems, but the recorded data shows no scenario where it matches the Core 7 251TE in performance. The Core 7 251TE also carries a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core 3 N355 has no listed launch MSRP.