CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-12100F and the Intel Core 3 N355 occupy the same average benchmark tier, with scores of 13494 and 13492, respectively, and a delta of 0%. However, a closer look at the individual head-to-head tests reveals that this parity in average score masks a profoundly lopsided performance relationship. In the 17 direct comparisons, the i3-12100F wins 16, while the N355 takes only a single, narrow victory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic separation occurs in multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-12100F scores 11860 against the N355's 5262, a delta of 125.4%. This is the largest margin in the entire comparison. The gap narrows but remains substantial in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i3-12100F posts 4981 versus 3612 (37.9% ahead), and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the scores are 1195 and 822 (45.4% ahead). These results indicate that the i3-12100F's execution resources scale far more effectively when all cores are active.

Single-threaded performance tells a similar story, though the margins vary. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3-12100F leads with 1674 against 1039, a 61.1% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 38.1% lead for the i3-12100F (703 vs 509). Interestingly, Cinebench R15 single-core is a perfect tie at 168 for both processors. PassMark single-thread testing, however, breaks that tie decisively, with the i3-12100F scoring 3444 versus 2153, a 60% delta. The data suggests that in most single-threaded scenarios, the i3-12100F is markedly faster, though the R15 result shows that at lower intensity loads, the two can perform identically.

The PassMark suite reinforces the i3-12100F's dominance across a range of workloads. In extended instructions, the i3-12100F scores 10842 versus 5968, a lead of 81.7%. The find prime numbers test shows a 122.2% advantage for the i3-12100F (60 vs 27). Floating point math favors the i3-12100F by 40.9% (31977 vs 22695), and integer math by 20.9% (40978 vs 33894). Physics performance is also heavily in favor of the i3-12100F, with a 57.6% delta (985 vs 625). Data compression sees the i3-12100F ahead by 36.6% (160452 vs 117435), while random string sorting is the closest PassMark test, with the i3-12100F winning by just 7.5% (15809 vs 14706).

The single win for the Core 3 N355 comes in data encryption. The N355 scores 8121, narrowly edging out the i3-12100F's 8071, a delta of -0.6%. This is a marginal result, suggesting that the N355's architecture handles this specific cryptographic workload slightly better, but the difference is within noise.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-12100F wins in nearly every measurable category. It is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering tasks, as shown by its 125.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. It also dominates in computationally intensive single-threaded applications like those measured by PassMark single-thread, where it leads by 60%. For users running physics simulations, complex data compression, or workloads relying on extended instruction sets, the i3-12100F provides a substantial performance buffer, with leads of 57.6%, 36.6%, and 81.7% respectively. The i3-12100F is also the stronger processor for integer and floating-point math, outperforming the N355 by 20.9% and 40.9%.

The Intel Core 3 N355’s only area of advantage is data encryption, where it outperforms the i3-12100F by a razor-thin 0.6%. This is a very specific workload, and the practical impact of this win is minimal. Beyond that, the N355 offers no performance wins in any of the tested benchmarks. Its role is not defined by superior throughput but by its other characteristics, such as its integrated graphics and lower power profile, which are not captured in these CPU-focused benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs despite sharing the same 10 nm process node and Intel foundry. The i3-12100F is an Alder Lake-S desktop part with 4 cores and 8 threads, featuring Hyper-Threading. Its base clock is 3.30 GHz, boosting to 4.30 GHz. It is a higher-power design with a TDP of 58 W, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-12100F supports dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory and has PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The Core 3 N355 is a Twin Lake mobile processor with 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading. Its clocks are significantly lower, with a base of 1.90 GHz and a boost of 3.90 GHz. It is a low-power part with a TDP of 15 W, and it is soldered to the Intel BGA 1264 socket. The N355 has a different cache layout: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. It supports single-channel DDR4, DDR5, or LPDDR5 memory, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and uses PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes. The N355 also includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, whereas the i3-12100F has no integrated graphics. The die size for the i3-12100F is 163 mm², while no die size is listed for the N355.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has an average score of 13492. The difference is effectively zero, with a delta of 0%.

Q: How much faster is the i3-12100F in multi-threaded Cinebench R23?

A: The i3-12100F scores 11860 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 125.4% higher than the N355's score of 5262.

Q: Is there any test where the Core 3 N355 comes out ahead?

A: Yes, in the PassMark data encryption test, the N355 scores 8121, which is 0.6% higher than the i3-12100F's score of 8071.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: No. The i3-12100F has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The i3-12100F has a TDP of 58 W, whereas the Core 3 N355 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The i3-12100F supports dual-channel memory, while the N355 supports single-channel memory.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear, if one-sided, conclusion. The Intel Core i3-12100F is the superior processor for performance-oriented tasks. It wins 16 out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, often by substantial margins. Its leads in multi-core rendering (125.4% in Cinebench R23), single-thread performance (60% in PassMark), and computational math workloads make it the obvious choice for anyone building a desktop system where raw CPU throughput is the priority. The i3-12100F is also the only one of the two with dual-channel memory support, which further enhances its performance potential.

The Intel Core 3 N355, despite having twice the core count, cannot match the i3-12100F's performance due to its lower clocks and lack of multithreading. Its single benchmark win in data encryption is negligible. However, the data also shows that the N355 is not without merit. Its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than the i3-12100F's 58 W, and it includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, making it a more suitable option for compact, low-power mobile systems where energy efficiency and an integrated GPU are more important than peak performance. For a desktop user who prioritizes speed, the data unequivocally favors the i3-12100F.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-12100F | Intel Core 3 N355 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 58 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Twin Lake |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 38.4 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Part Number | SRL63 | SRPNT |