Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 7 350 Comparison
Intel Core 3 N355
Core 7 350
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 7 350
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither part supports simultaneous multithreading.
Q: How do their clock speeds compare?
A: The Core 3 N355 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Core 7 350 has a lower base clock of 1.50 GHz but a substantially higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz.
Q: What is the difference in process technology?
A: The Core 3 N355 is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core 7 350 uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel.
Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?
A: Only the Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, along with DDR5 and LPDDR5. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory only.
Q: What are the peak memory bandwidth figures?
A: The Core 3 N355 has a measured memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Core 7 350 reaches 59.7 GB/s. Both use a single-channel memory bus.
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Core 7 350 has an average benchmark score of 17779, compared to 13492 for the Core 3 N355. In the head-to-head comparison, the Core 7 350 wins 16 of 17 benchmark tests.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture and is classified under the Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) generation. The Core 7 350 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture and is classified under the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. This architectural split explains most of the performance gap.
The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores with 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of shared L2 cache. The Core 7 350 has 6 cores but each core carries 192 KB of L1 cache, and the L2 cache is 2.5 MB per core. Both share a 6 MB L3 cache.
The manufacturing process differs significantly. The Core 3 N355 uses Intel's 10 nm node, while the Core 7 350 uses Intel's 3 nm node. This newer process allows for higher clock speeds and better power efficiency despite the lower core count.
Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 3 N355 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 7 350 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The memory controller differs as well: the Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, while the Core 7 350 supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with a substantially higher memory bandwidth.
PCIe support shows another gap. The Core 3 N355 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 350 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The Core 7 350 also uses a different socket, Intel BGA 1516 versus Intel BGA 1264 for the Core 3 N355.
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark data shows a near-total dominance by the Core 7 350. It wins every Cinebench test, every PassMark test except one, and the overall average score comparison. The only test where the Core 3 N355 comes out ahead is PassMark integer math, where it scores 33894 versus 33734 for the Core 7 350, a margin of 0.5 percent.
The Core 7 350 is particularly strong in single-threaded workloads. Cinebench R23 single-core shows it at 2046 versus 1039 for the Core 3 N355, a 49.2 percent advantage. PassMark single-thread follows the same pattern: 4100 versus 2153, a 47.5 percent lead.
For multi-threaded workloads, the Core 7 350 still leads despite having fewer cores. Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 8030 versus 5262, a 34.5 percent difference. PassMark multithread shows 15170 versus 10174, a 32.9 percent gap.
The Core 7 350 also excels in math-intensive tests. PassMark floating point math shows 42809 versus 22695, a 47 percent advantage. PassMark find prime numbers shows 107 versus 27, an enormous 74.8 percent delta. PassMark extended instructions shows 12045 versus 5968, a 50.5 percent lead.
The Core 3 N355 is only competitive in the integer math test, and even there the margin is negligible. In all other recorded benchmarks, the Core 7 350 is clearly ahead, with deltas ranging from 14.7 percent (random string sorting) to 74.8 percent (find prime numbers).
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every hardware specification. The core count differs: 8 cores for the Core 3 N355 versus 6 cores for the Core 7 350. Thread counts match core counts for both, at 8 and 6 respectively.
Base clocks differ: 1.90 GHz for the Core 3 N355 versus 1.50 GHz for the Core 7 350. Boost clocks differ even more: 3.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. The Core 7 350 has a much higher boost ceiling.
Both have a 15 W TDP, but the sockets differ. The Core 3 N355 uses Intel BGA 1264, while the Core 7 350 uses Intel BGA 1516. The architectures differ as described: Twin Lake versus Wildcat Lake.
Cache layouts differ significantly. The Core 3 N355 has 96 KB L1 per core and 2 MB shared L2. The Core 7 350 has 192 KB L1 per core and 2.5 MB L2 per core. Both have 6 MB shared L3.
Memory support differs: the Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, while the Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s for the Core 3 N355 versus 59.7 GB/s for the Core 7 350. Both are single-channel.
PCIe support differs: Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the Core 3 N355 versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 7 350. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.
Process nodes differ: 10 nm for the Core 3 N355 versus 3 nm for the Core 7 350. Release dates differ: January 6, 2025 for the Core 3 N355 versus April 15, 2026 for the Core 7 350. The Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469; the Core 3 N355 has no recorded launch MSRP.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern of Core 7 350 dominance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 7 350 scores 1220 versus 822 for the Core 3 N355, a 32.6 percent lead. Single-core R15 shows 292 versus 168, a 42.5 percent gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 5373 versus 3612, a 32.8 percent lead, and R20 single-core shows 758 versus 509, also 32.8 percent. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 8030 versus 5262, a 34.5 percent lead, while R23 single-core shows 2046 versus 1039, the largest Cinebench delta at 49.2 percent.
PassMark tests follow a similar story. Data compression shows 143123 versus 117435, a 17.9 percent lead for the Core 7 350. Data encryption shows 10933 versus 8121, a 25.7 percent lead. Extended instructions show 12045 versus 5968, a 50.5 percent gap. Find prime numbers shows 107 versus 27, a 74.8 percent gap, the largest in the entire dataset. Floating point math shows 42809 versus 22695, a 47 percent lead. Multithread shows 15170 versus 10174, a 32.9 percent lead. Physics shows 1173 versus 625, a 46.7 percent lead. Random string sorting shows 17238 versus 14706, a 14.7 percent lead, the smallest Core 7 350 win. Single-thread shows 4100 versus 2153, a 47.5 percent lead.
The sole Core 3 N355 win is in integer math: 33894 versus 33734, a 0.5 percent margin. This is within noise territory and does not change the overall picture.
The average benchmark score comparison reinforces the result: 17779 for the Core 7 350 versus 13492 for the Core 3 N355. The Core 7 350 sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 N355 sits at the 68th percentile.
The Verdict
The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 7 350 outperforms the Intel Core 3 N355 in 16 of 17 recorded benchmarks, with an average score advantage of roughly 32 percent. The only exception is integer math, where the Core 3 N355 edges ahead by 0.5 percent, a margin that has no practical impact.
The Core 3 N355 does offer more cores and threads, but the Core 7 350 compensates with a much higher boost clock, a newer 3 nm process, more cache per core, and substantially higher memory bandwidth. The result is that the Core 7 350 wins in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads despite having fewer cores.
Buyers looking for a processor for single-thread-sensitive tasks, such as interactive responsiveness or lightly threaded applications, should choose the Core 7 350. Its 49.2 percent lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 47.5 percent lead in PassMark single-thread make that decision straightforward.
Buyers who need maximum multi-threaded throughput should also choose the Core 7 350. Its 34.5 percent lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 32.9 percent lead in PassMark multithread outweigh the Core 3 N355's extra two cores.
The Core 3 N355 makes sense only in scenarios where its specific socket, DDR4 support, or PCIe Gen 3 lane count matters for a particular platform. On raw performance, the Core 7 350 is the clear choice, with a higher percentile ranking, a higher average score, and a win rate of 94 percent in head-to-head tests.