Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 9 273PTE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive, uniform victory for the Intel Core 9 273PTE across every recorded test. The Intel Core 3 N355 does not win a single head-to-head comparison among the 17 benchmark entries. The closest margin appears in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core 9 leads by 37.3%, while the largest gap emerges in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 9 leads by 74.3%.

Starting with multi-core performance, the Core 9 273PTE scores 20,445 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 5,262 for the Core 3 N355. This 74.3% advantage is the largest of any test. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Core 9 scores 8,586 against 3,612, a 57.9% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 2,060 versus 822, a 60.1% gap. PassMark multi-thread results follow the same pattern: 24,054 for the Core 9 versus 10,174 for the Core 3, a 57.7% difference. PassMark physics scores are 1,917 versus 625, a 67.4% lead for the Core 9.

Single-core performance also favors the Core 9, though by a smaller margin. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,886 versus 1,039, a 64% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core is 1,212 versus 509, a 58% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core is 290 versus 168, a 42.1% gap. PassMark single-thread scores are 3,433 versus 2,153, a 37.3% advantage, the narrowest margin in the entire comparison.

Specialized workloads reinforce the Core 9's dominance. PassMark data compression shows 258,704 versus 117,435, a 54.6% lead. Data encryption is 14,253 versus 8,121, a 43% gap. Extended instructions score 15,952 versus 5,968, a 62.6% advantage. Floating point math is 60,673 versus 22,695, another 62.6% gap. Integer math is 82,411 versus 33,894, a 58.9% lead. Random string sorting is 28,973 versus 14,706, a 49.2% gap. Find prime numbers shows the largest relative difference: 142 versus 27, an 81% lead for the Core 9.

The Core 9 273PTE's average benchmark score is 31,143, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-12700F (average score 31,081, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (average score 31,074, delta 0.2%). The Core 3 N355, by contrast, averages 13,492 and sits in the 68th percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494, delta 0%) and the Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452, delta 0.3%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PTE boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 N355 boosts to 3.90 GHz.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the Core 9 273PTE?

A: The Core 9 273PTE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 3 N355 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Does the Core 3 N355 support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 3 N355 does not support ECC memory, while the Core 9 273PTE does.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core 9 273PTE provides 89.6 GB/s over a dual-channel bus. The Core 3 N355 provides 38.4 GB/s over a single-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Core 9 273PTE has 24 threads across 12 cores. The Core 3 N355 has 8 threads across 8 cores.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each chip?

A: The Core 9 273PTE supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 3 N355 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only).

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in architecture. The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, part of the Alder Lake-N generation, built on Intel's 10 nm process. Its codename is Twin Lake, and it targets the mobile segment. The Core 9 273PTE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, built on the same 10 nm process, and targets the desktop segment.

Core and thread counts differ fundamentally. The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, indicating no simultaneous multithreading. The Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads, meaning each core supports two threads. This thread advantage contributes directly to its multi-core benchmark superiority.

Cache organization is another major architectural difference. The Core 3 N355 allocates 96 KB of L1 per core and shares 2 MB of L2 across all cores. The Core 9 273PTE uses 80 KB of L1 per core but gives each core 2 MB of L2, a 2 MB per core allocation. L3 cache is also vastly different: 6 MB shared on the Core 3 N355 versus 36 MB shared on the Core 9 273PTE.

Memory architecture differs as well. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 over a single-channel bus, delivering 38.4 GB/s. The Core 9 273PTE supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s. The Core 3 N355 does not support ECC memory, while the Core 9 273PTE does.

PCIe connectivity separates the two further. The Core 3 N355 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 9 273PTE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 9's newer and wider PCIe interface suits desktop expansion, while the Core 3's narrower Gen 3 lanes align with mobile power constraints.

Integrated graphics differ between the two. The Core 3 N355 uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core 9 273PTE uses UHD Graphics 730. Both are Intel integrated solutions, but the Core 3's part carries a higher model number.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: 8 (Core 3 N355) versus 12 (Core 9 273PTE)
• Threads: 8 versus 24
• Base clock: 1.90 GHz versus 1.40 GHz
• Boost clock: 3.90 GHz versus 5.50 GHz
• TDP: 15 W versus 45 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1264 versus Intel Socket 1700
• Codename: Twin Lake versus Bartlett Lake
• Generation: Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) versus Core 9 (Bartlett Lake)
• L1 cache: 96 KB per core versus 80 KB per core
• L2 cache: 2 MB shared versus 2 MB per core
• L3 cache: 6 MB shared versus 36 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 versus DDR4, DDR5
• Memory bus: Single-channel versus dual-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s
• ECC memory: No versus yes
• PCIe: Gen 3, 9 lanes versus Gen 5, 16 lanes
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 versus UHD Graphics 730
• Market segment: Mobile versus desktop
• Release date: 2025-01-06 versus 2026-03-08
• Part number: SRPNT versus SA4QJ

The launch MSRP for the Core 9 273PTE is $549. The Core 3 N355 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data does not show any test where the Intel Core 3 N355 wins. The Core 9 273PTE wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Therefore, the Core 3 N355's advantage is not in raw performance but in its platform characteristics: a lower TDP of 15 W, a mobile BGA socket, and support for LPDDR5 memory. These features indicate suitability for compact, power-limited mobile systems.

The Core 9 273PTE wins decisively in every compute category. Its single-thread performance is superior by 37.3% to 64% depending on the test. Its multi-thread performance is superior by 54.6% to 81% across the recorded workloads. The largest relative win is in prime number finding (81% lead), followed by Cinebench R23 multi-core (74.3%). The smallest relative win is in single-thread PassMark (37.3%).

For use cases, the Core 9 273PTE suits heavy multi-threaded workloads: Cinebench multi-core scores, PassMark integer and floating point math, data compression, and encryption all show large advantages. Its 24 threads and 36 MB L3 cache support sustained parallel computation. The Core 3 N355, with its 15 W TDP and mobile socket, fits low-power mobile devices where battery life and thermal limits take priority over throughput.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 9 273PTE is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. Its average score of 31,143 places it in the 82nd percentile, while the Core 3 N355's average of 13,492 places it in the 68th percentile. The Core 9's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-12700F and AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, both within 0.2% of its average score. The Core 3 N355's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-12100F, with a delta of 0%.

Users requiring maximum compute performance, especially in multi-threaded applications, should select the Core 9 273PTE. It offers 24 threads, 36 MB L3, dual-channel 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 5. Its 45 W TDP and desktop socket require a more robust platform. The Core 3 N355, with 8 threads, 6 MB L3, single-channel 38.4 GB/s memory, and 15 W TDP, serves low-power mobile designs. Its performance profile is roughly one-third to one-quarter of the Core 9's in most tests, but its power draw is one-third as well. The choice depends entirely on whether the platform demands desktop-class throughput or mobile-class efficiency.