Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive and consistent performance advantage for the Intel Core 9 273PE across every recorded test. Out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core 9 273PE wins all 17, with no victories recorded for the Intel Core 3 N355. The magnitude of the gap varies by workload, but the direction is uniform.

The largest single-core gap appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 9 273PE scores 4417 against 1039 for the Core 3 N355, a delta of -76.5% from the perspective of the N355. In practical terms, the Core 9 273PE delivers more than four times the single-core score. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a similar pattern: 1855 versus 509, a -72.6% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 445 versus 168, a -62.2% delta. These results indicate that the Core 9 273PE has a substantial advantage in lightly threaded workloads, which typically benefit from higher clock speeds and better per-core efficiency.

Multi-core workloads show an even larger relative gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core is the most dramatic: the Core 9 273PE scores 31288, while the Core 3 N355 scores 5262, a -83.2% delta. That is nearly a six-fold difference. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 13140 versus 3612, a -72.5% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 3153 versus 822, a -73.9% delta. The multi-core advantage is consistent with the Core 9 273PE having more cores and threads, but the scale of the difference goes beyond raw core count, suggesting higher per-core throughput as well.

PassMark results reinforce the same conclusion. In PassMark multi-thread, the Core 9 273PE scores 36810 versus 10174, a -72.4% delta. PassMark physics shows 3120 versus 625, a -80% delta. PassMark integer math shows 139410 versus 33894, a -75.7% delta. PassMark floating point math shows 107884 versus 22695, a -79% delta. PassMark extended instructions shows 24630 versus 5968, a -75.8% delta. PassMark find prime numbers shows 203 versus 27, a -86.7% delta, which is the largest percentage gap in the entire dataset.

Memory and data-oriented workloads also favor the Core 9 273PE heavily. PassMark data compression scores 405885 versus 117435, a -71.1% delta. PassMark data encryption scores 22719 versus 8121, a -64.3% delta. PassMark random string sorting scores 45098 versus 14706, a -67.4% delta. The smallest relative gap in the dataset is PassMark single-thread, where the Core 9 273PE scores 3650 versus 2153, a -41% delta. Even at its closest, the Core 9 273PE still leads by a wide margin.

The average benchmark score tells the same story. The Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, placing it at the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 3 N355 has an average score of 13492, placing it at the 68th percentile. The Core 9 273PE sits near the top of the database, while the Core 3 N355 sits comfortably in the mid-range. The nearest rivals for the Core 9 273PE include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 with an average score of 49796 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 49394 with a delta of 0.9%, the Intel Core i9-13980HX at 50398 with a delta of -1.1%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 at 50448 with a delta of -1.2%. The Core 3 N355, by contrast, sits near the Intel Core i3-12100F at 13494 with a delta of 0%, the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 with a delta of 0.3%, the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 with a delta of -0.8%, and the Intel Core i7-1250U at 13351 with a delta of 1.1%. These figures place the two processors in entirely different performance tiers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental architectural parameter recorded in the database. The Intel Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, specifically from the Core 3 generation based on Alder Lake-N. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyper-threading support. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 9 generation. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, indicating that each core supports two threads.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The Core 3 N355 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Core 9 273PE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The boost clock difference of 1.80 GHz is substantial and directly contributes to the single-core benchmark gap. Thermal design power also diverges sharply: the Core 3 N355 is rated at 15 watts, while the Core 9 273PE is rated at 65 watts.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. 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 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache difference is particularly notable: 36 MB versus 6 MB, a six-fold gap. The L2 configuration also differs in organization, with the Core 3 N355 using a shared pool and the Core 9 273PE using a per-core allocation.

Memory support and bandwidth present another major division. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but uses a single-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5, uses a dual-channel memory bus, and has a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 9 273PE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 N355 does not. The memory bandwidth advantage of the Core 9 273PE is more than double that of the Core 3 N355, which matters for data-heavy workloads such as compression and encryption.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Core 3 N355 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). The Core 9 273PE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both use Intel as the foundry and both are built on a 10 nm process node, so the manufacturing process is identical. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 3 N355 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730.

Market segment and socket separate the two further. The Core 3 N355 is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 1264, while the Core 9 273PE is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700. Release dates differ by more than a year: the Core 3 N355 launched on 2025-01-06, and the Core 9 273PE launched on 2026-03-08. Both are listed as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SRPNT for the Core 3 N355 and SA4QD for the Core 9 273PE.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has an average score of 13492. The Core 9 273PE also ranks at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 68th percentile for the Core 3 N355.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 9 273PE scores 31288 versus 5262 for the Core 3 N355, a delta of -83.2%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 13140 versus 3612, a -72.5% delta. PassMark multi-thread shows 36810 versus 10174, a -72.4% delta.

Q: What causes the single-core performance difference?

A: The Core 9 273PE has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz compared to 3.90 GHz for the Core 3 N355. The single-core scores reflect this: Cinebench R23 single-core is 4417 versus 1039, a -76.5% delta, and PassMark single-thread is 3650 versus 2153, a -41% delta.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5. The Core 3 N355 also supports LPDDR5, while the Core 9 273PE does not. The Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory, but the Core 3 N355 does not. Memory bandwidth differs greatly: 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9 273PE versus 38.4 GB/s for the Core 3 N355.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, meaning the Core 9 273PE supports simultaneous multi-threading while the Core 3 N355 does not.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core 9 273PE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 3 N355 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 9 273PE also has 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Core 3 N355 has 2 MB of shared L2 cache total.

Q: Are these processors in the same market segment?

A: No. The Core 3 N355 is a mobile processor with a 15-watt TDP and an Intel BGA 1264 socket. The Core 9 273PE is a desktop processor with a 65-watt TDP and an Intel Socket 1700.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows two processors in different performance classes. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with deltas ranging from -41% in PassMark single-thread to -86.7% in PassMark find prime numbers. Its average benchmark score of 49845 places it near the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and Intel Core i5-14600KF, both within 1% of its score. The Intel Core 3 N355, with an average score of 13492, sits alongside the Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-9500.

The Core 9 273PE is the appropriate choice for workloads that demand high multi-threaded throughput, large L3 cache, dual-channel memory bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, 36 MB of L3 cache, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth support heavy compute tasks. The Core 3 N355, with 8 cores, 8 threads, 6 MB of L3 cache, and 38.4 GB/s single-channel bandwidth, targets a different profile: a 15-watt mobile processor with LPDDR5 support and UHD Graphics 770.

The data does not suggest a close contest. The Core 9 273PE leads by factors of three to six in most workloads, and its smallest advantage is still 41%. The Core 3 N355 offers no benchmark where it closes the gap. For any application where performance is the primary criterion, the Core 9 273PE is the clear choice. The Core 3 N355 remains relevant only in contexts where its mobile form factor, lower TDP, and LPDDR5 memory support are the deciding factors, not its compute performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 N355 | Intel Core 9 273PE |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 8 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Twin Lake | Bartlett Lake |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 2 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 | false | true |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-01-06 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | Not available | $549 |

| Part Number | SRPNT | SA4QD |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | false |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | Intel |

The two processors share only a few traits: both are manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process, both are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Every other recorded specification differs, from core count and clock speeds to cache layout, memory channel configuration, PCIe generation, and market segment. The specification table confirms what the benchmarks show: the Core 9 273PE is a larger, more capable desktop part, while the Core 3 N355 is a compact mobile chip with a different set of priorities.