CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 3 N355 and the Intel Core i7-7700K represent two very different eras of Intel design, yet their overall benchmark averages land within 1.5% of each other. The data shows a fascinating split: the newer N355, a 15 W mobile part built on a 10 nm process, wins the majority of compute-heavy workloads, while the older 91 W desktop i7-7700K, built on 14 nm, dominates in single-threaded and legacy tasks. With 7 head-to-head wins for the N355 and 10 for the 7700K, the choice is not about raw supremacy but about which workload profile matters more.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic victory for the Intel Core 3 N355 comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 8121 against the 7700K’s 3343, a 142.9% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison, indicating that the newer architecture’s cryptographic instructions are vastly more efficient. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the N355 posts a 44.8% lead (168 vs 116), showing that its 1.90 GHz base clock is no hindrance to strong per-thread performance in that older test.

The N355 also takes the Cinebench R20 multicore test with a 5% margin (3612 vs 3439) and the R20 single-core test with a 4.9% margin (509 vs 485). In PassMark floating-point math, the N355 leads by 21.1% (22695 vs 18741), and in integer math by 10.9% (33894 vs 30553). Its PassMark multithread score of 10174 beats the 7700K’s 9627 by 5.7%. These results suggest that for modern, parallelized workloads, the N355’s 8 cores and 8 threads are better utilized than the 7700K’s 4 cores and 8 threads.

However, the Intel Core i7-7700K strikes back decisively in Cinebench R23. Its multicore score of 8189 crushes the N355’s 5262, a 35.7% margin that indicates the 7700K’s higher sustained clocks (4.20 GHz base, 4.50 GHz boost) pay off in longer, more demanding renders. The 7700K also wins R23 single-core by 10.1% (1156 vs 1039), reversing the R15 single-core result. In PassMark single-thread, the 7700K leads by 20.5% (2708 vs 2153), a significant gap that reflects its higher boost clock.

Beyond those headline wins, the 7700K takes PassMark data compression by 14.2% (136852 vs 117435), extended instructions by 33.3% (8943 vs 5968), random string sorting by 14.5% (17208 vs 14706), and find prime numbers by 12.9% (31 vs 27). The PassMark physics test is close, with the 7700K winning by just 4.6% (655 vs 625). The Cinebench R15 multicore test is a virtual tie, with the 7700K winning by only 0.4% (825 vs 822).

The pattern is clear: the N355 wins in encryption, math, and Cinebench R20, while the 7700K dominates in R23, compression, and single-thread tests. The N355’s 68th percentile ranking among all CPUs matches the 7700K’s 68th percentile, reinforcing that these are peers in overall capability, but with opposing strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has an average benchmark score of 13492, which is 1.5% higher than the Intel Core i7-7700K’s 13291. Both CPUs sit at the 68th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700K is the clear winner, scoring 8189 versus the Core 3 N355’s 5262. That is a 35.7% advantage for the 7700K in this specific render test.

Q: Is the newer Core 3 N355 better at encryption tasks?

A: Yes, decisively. The N355 scores 8121 in PassMark data encryption, which is 142.9% higher than the 7700K’s 3343. This is the largest performance gap in the comparison.

Q: What does the PassMark single-thread score indicate?

A: The 7700K scores 2708 compared to the N355’s 2153, a 20.5% lead. This suggests the 7700K delivers stronger performance in applications that rely on a single thread, likely due to its higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Are the memory bandwidth figures identical?

A: Yes, both processors list a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, despite the N355 using a single-channel memory bus and the 7700K using a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores, while the Intel Core i7-7700K has 4 cores. Both have 8 threads, meaning the 7700K relies on Hyper-Threading to match the thread count.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, part of the Core 3 (Alder Lake-N) generation, manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process. It features 8 cores with 8 threads and no hyper-threading. Its cache layout is distinct: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but only through a single-channel memory bus. It integrates UHD Graphics 770 and is a mobile-market segment part with a 15 W TDP.

The Intel Core i7-7700K uses the much older Kaby Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging hyper-threading to match the N355’s thread count. Its cache is configured as 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The 7700K supports only DDR4 memory, but through a dual-channel bus. It packs an HD 630 integrated GPU and is a desktop part with a 91 W TDP. The 7700K also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the N355 does not.

The most striking architectural difference is the core count versus clock speed trade-off. The N355’s 8 cores at a 1.90 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost are designed for efficiency and parallel throughput. The 7700K’s 4 cores at 4.20 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost prioritize raw frequency and low-latency single-thread execution. The process node gap (10 nm vs 14 nm) explains much of the efficiency difference, allowing the N355 to hit similar average performance at a fraction of the TDP.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal stark contrasts between the two chips. The most obvious difference is core count: 8 cores for the N355 versus 4 for the 7700K. Thread counts are equal at 8, but the N355 achieves this without hyper-threading. Base clocks diverge heavily, with the 7700K at 4.20 GHz versus the N355’s 1.90 GHz. Boost clocks also favor the 7700K, at 4.50 GHz versus 3.90 GHz.

Power consumption is a major differentiator: the N355 has a 15 W TDP, while the 7700K draws 91 W. Socket compatibility is entirely different, with the N355 using Intel BGA 1264 (mobile) and the 7700K using Intel Socket 1151 (desktop). Cache sizes vary, with the N355 offering 2 MB of shared L2 versus 256 KB per core on the 7700K, but the 7700K has a larger 8 MB shared L3 versus 6 MB on the N355.

Memory support differs: the N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, while the 7700K only supports DDR4. The memory bus is single-channel on the N355 and dual-channel on the 7700K, yet both achieve 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe lanes also differ, with the N355 providing 9 lanes and the 7700K providing 16 lanes, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 770 on the N355 versus HD 630 on the 7700K. The 7700K has an unlocked multiplier; the N355 does not. Release dates are far apart, with the 7700K launching in early 2017 and the N355 in early 2025.

The Verdict

The data does not point to a single winner; it points to two distinct use cases. For users prioritizing encryption-heavy workloads, floating-point math, or integer math, the Intel Core 3 N355 is the superior choice. Its 142.9% lead in data encryption and 21.1% lead in floating-point operations are substantial, and its 5.7% advantage in PassMark multithread makes it the better pick for modern, parallelized software. The N355 also achieves this with a 15 W TDP, making it suitable for compact, power-efficient systems.

For users who need maximum single-thread performance, legacy application compatibility, or sustained multicore render performance, the Intel Core i7-7700K is the better option. Its 20.5% lead in PassMark single-thread and 35.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore are decisive. The 7700K’s higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz is the likely driver of these wins, and its unlocked multiplier offers additional headroom for enthusiasts willing to push it further.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, the N355 at 13492 and the 7700K at 13291, meaning neither is a clear performance king. The decision hinges on workload. If the task involves encryption, math, or modern multithreaded apps, the Core 3 N355 wins. If it involves single-thread responsiveness or Cinebench R23-style rendering, the i7-7700K wins. The 7700K’s 10 head-to-head wins versus the N355’s 7 suggest it has broader superiority across the tested suite, but the N355’s wins are often by larger margins. Choose based on the specific benchmarks that matter most to your application.