Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core i5-10400F Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core i5-10400F is the dominant processor in this comparison, winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Core 3 N355 takes only two wins, and those are narrow or specialized. For any workload that scales with multi-core performance, sustained throughput, or general desktop responsiveness, the i5-10400F is the decisive choice. The Core 3 N355 is only preferable in a narrow set of conditions: scenarios that heavily reward its data encryption capabilities, and single-threaded Cinebench R15 performance where it edges out the older chip. The average benchmark scores confirm the gap: the i5-10400F posts an average benchmark score of 14185, while the Core 3 N355 trails at 13492. Both processors sit at the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database, but that equal percentile masks a substantial real-world performance lead for the desktop part.

The i5-10400F is the pick for desktop users building a Socket 1200 system who need strong multi-threaded rendering, compression, and math throughput. The Core 3 N355 is a mobile-oriented chip on BGA 1264 with a 15 W TDP, and its data shows it is best suited for power-conscious designs where the i5-10400F's 65 W envelope is not acceptable. For encryption-heavy tasks, the N355 is actually the better part, but that single advantage does not offset the broad deficit elsewhere.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras and target different market segments. The i5-10400F is a 14 nm Comet Lake desktop chip released in April 2020, while the Core 3 N355 is a 10 nm Twin Lake mobile part released in January 2025. The process node advantage belongs to the N355, yet the benchmark data shows that newer fabrication does not translate into superior performance in most tests.

Core counts differ significantly. The i5-10400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, employing Hyper-Threading to double its logical thread count. The Core 3 N355 has 8 physical cores but only 8 threads, meaning no simultaneous multi-threading. The i5-10400F's thread advantage is one reason it dominates multi-threaded workloads. The cache layout also differs sharply. The i5-10400F has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The N355 has a larger 96 KB L1 per core, but its L2 is 2 MB shared, and L3 is only 6 MB shared. The older chip's larger L3 pool is likely a factor in its compression and sorting wins.

Clock speeds favor the i5-10400F as well. Its base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost of 4.30 GHz. The Core 3 N355 runs at 1.90 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. Power envelopes are radically different: 65 W for the i5-10400F versus 15 W for the N355. Memory support also diverges. The i5-10400F uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 but runs single-channel with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-10400F also has more PCIe lanes: Gen 3 with 16 lanes versus Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the N355. The N355 includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, while the i5-10400F has no integrated graphics. The N355 is locked to Intel BGA 1264, making it a soldered mobile part, while the i5-10400F uses Socket 1200.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i5-10400F comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 10283 against 5262 for the N355, a 95.4% advantage. That is nearly double the performance. The extended instructions test shows an even bigger percentage gap in absolute terms: 12500 versus 5968, a 109.5% lead. Data compression also favors the older chip heavily, 185944 versus 117435, a 58.3% delta. Random string sorting goes to the i5-10400F by 57.7%, with scores of 23185 and 14706. Prime number finding is 29.6% faster on the i5-10400F, 35 versus 27. Integer math is 22.4% ahead, 41471 versus 33894. Floating point math is 14.4% ahead, 25956 versus 22695. The multithread PassMark score is 19.1% higher for the i5-10400F, 12115 versus 10174. Physics testing is 11.4% ahead, 696 versus 625. Single-thread PassMark is 18% higher, 2541 versus 2153. Cinebench R20 multi-core is 19.5% ahead, 4318 versus 3612. Cinebench R20 single-core is 19.6% ahead, 609 versus 509. Cinebench R23 single-core is 39.7% ahead, 1451 versus 1039. Even Cinebench R15 multi-core, the closest multi-thread comparison, goes to the i5-10400F by 26%, 1036 versus 822.

The Core 3 N355 wins two tests. The standout is data encryption: 8121 versus 4100, a 49.5% advantage for the N355. This is the single largest win for either side in percentage terms. The other win is Cinebench R15 single-core, where the N355 scores 168 against 146, a 13.1% edge. Notably, that R15 single-core win does not carry over to newer Cinebench versions: the i5-10400F wins R20 single-core by 19.6% and R23 single-core by 39.7%. So the N355's single-thread advantage is isolated to the older R15 workload.

The data shows a consistent pattern. The i5-10400F wins every multi-core and throughput-oriented test, often by wide margins. The N355's encryption performance is exceptional, but its other wins are limited to one legacy single-thread benchmark. The i5-10400F also holds a strong single-thread lead in the more modern Cinebench releases, which suggests its higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz is more effective than the N355's 3.90 GHz boost in sustained single-thread workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400F wins every multi-core benchmark in the comparison. Its largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 10283 versus 5262 for the Core 3 N355, a 95.4% advantage.

Q: Does the Core 3 N355 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins two of the 17 head-to-head tests. It is 49.5% ahead in PassMark data encryption, 8121 versus 4100, and 13.1% ahead in Cinebench R15 single-core, 168 versus 146.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-10400F has an average benchmark score of 14185, while the Core 3 N355 averages 13492. Both sit at the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The i5-10400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no multithreading.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The i5-10400F has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 3 N355 has 6 MB of shared L3. The N355 has a larger L1 at 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core for the i5-10400F, and its L2 is 2 MB shared versus 256 KB per core for the i5-10400F.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i5-10400F supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but runs single-channel with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-10400F is the clear winner for desktop computing tasks that demand sustained multi-threaded performance. Rendering workloads like Cinebench R23 show a 95.4% lead, making it the obvious choice for content creation. Compression tasks favor it by 58.3%, which benefits file archiving and data transfer workflows. Integer and floating point math are 22.4% and 14.4% ahead respectively, supporting scientific computing and spreadsheet-style calculations. Random string sorting is 57.7% faster, a meaningful edge for database and sorting operations. The extended instructions test shows a 109.5% lead, indicating superior SIMD and vector processing capability. Physics simulation is 11.4% ahead. Even single-threaded PassMark is 18% higher, so general desktop responsiveness leans toward the i5-10400F. The one caveat is that the i5-10400F has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory.

The Core 3 N355 wins in two specific areas. Data encryption is its flagship result: 49.5% faster than the i5-10400F. For workloads involving heavy AES or other encryption operations, the N355 is the better part. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 13.1%, though this does not carry over to R20 or R23. The N355 also has a massive power advantage at 15 W versus 65 W, making it the appropriate choice for battery-powered or thermally constrained mobile designs. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, so no discrete GPU is required. The N355 also supports DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory, which the i5-10400F cannot use. For a compact, low-power mobile system with strong encryption performance, the N355 is the pick. For everything else in this comparison, the i5-10400F is the superior processor.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The i5-10400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for the i5-10400F and 1.90 GHz for the N355. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz and 3.90 GHz respectively. TDP is 65 W for the i5-10400F and 15 W for the N355. The i5-10400F uses Intel Socket 1200, while the N355 uses Intel BGA 1264. Architecture is Comet Lake for the i5-10400F and Twin Lake for the N355. Process nodes are 14 nm and 10 nm respectively. L1 cache is 64 KB per core versus 96 KB per core. L2 cache is 256 KB per core versus 2 MB shared. L3 cache is 12 MB shared versus 6 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4 only versus DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. Memory bus is dual-channel versus single-channel. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes versus Gen 3 with 9 lanes. Integrated graphics are absent on the i5-10400F, while the N355 includes UHD Graphics 770. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. Release dates are April 2020 versus January 2025. Both are active production parts, both lack ECC support, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.