Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core i9-14901KE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 3 N355 and Intel Core i9-14901KE occupy opposite ends of the performance spectrum, and the recorded benchmark data confirms a decisive gap. The Core 3 N355, a mobile Twin Lake part, has a full suite of Cinebench and PassMark results. The Core i9-14901KE, a desktop Raptor Lake Refresh processor, has no benchmark scores recorded in the database, which makes a direct score-for-score comparison impossible. Instead, the analysis relies on the N355's measured output and the architectural and specification differences between the two.

In Cinebench R23, the N355 scores 5,262 points in multicore and 1,039 points in single-core. These results place the chip at the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 13,492. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-12100F, posts an average score of 13,494, a delta of 0 percent, meaning the N355 is statistically tied with that desktop chip in aggregate performance. The N355 also sits within 0.3 percent of the Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452) and trails the Intel Core 5 120UL (13,594) by 0.8 percent while leading the Intel Core i7-1250U (13,351) by 1.1 percent.

The i9-14901KE, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of zero and holds a 50th percentile ranking. With no recorded scores, the database shows no wins for either processor in head-to-head tests. The absence of data for the i9 does not diminish its expected capability, but it prevents any quantitative comparison. The N355's PassMark results offer a reference point: multithreaded performance reaches 10,174, single-thread performance hits 2,153, and integer math scores 33,894. Floating-point math lands at 22,695, while data compression achieves 117,435 and data encryption reaches 8,121. Those numbers are the only measurable performance indicators available for either chip.

Where Each One Wins

The N355 wins in every measured category because it is the only processor with recorded benchmarks. Its 8 cores and 8 threads deliver a 5,262 Cinebench R23 multicore score, a result that puts it ahead of the i5-9500 by a slim 0.3 percent aggregate margin and behind the Core 5 120UL by just 0.8 percent. The single-core score of 1,039 in Cinebench R23 and 2,153 in PassMark single-thread show a modest but workable level of per-thread performance for a 15-watt mobile part.

The i9-14901KE, with 8 cores and 16 threads, should logically dominate in multithreaded workloads, but the database contains no scores to confirm that. Its 125-watt TDP, 5.80 GHz boost clock, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache all point to substantially higher throughput than the N355's 3.90 GHz boost and 6 MB L3. However, without measured results, the i9's wins remain speculative. The N355's PassMark physics score of 625 and extended instructions score of 5,968 suggest it handles lightweight simulation and instruction-set extensions adequately, but those figures cannot be weighed against the i9's unrecorded output.

For workloads like random string sorting, the N355 scores 14,706, and find prime numbers yields 27, a low figure that reflects its efficiency-oriented design. The i9-14901KE, with a dual-channel memory bus and 16 lanes of PCIe Gen 5, would be the clear choice for memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks, but the database lacks the numbers to substantiate that advantage. The N355, with single-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, targets low-power mobile systems where sustained battery life matters more than raw throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, listed in the database as Core 3 (Alder Lake-N), which is a 10 nm Intel process. The i9-14901KE uses Raptor Lake, specifically Raptor Lake-R, also on a 10 nm Intel process. Both chips share the same process node, but their designs diverge sharply.

The N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads with no hyper-threading, a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i9-14901KE also has 8 cores but doubles the thread count to 16, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. Its L1 cache is smaller at 80 KB per core, but L2 expands to 2 MB per core, and L3 jumps to 36 MB shared. The die size for the i9 is 257 mm², while the N355 has no recorded die size or transistor count.

The integrated graphics are identical: both use UHD Graphics 770. The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory in a single-channel configuration, while the i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The N355 has no ECC support, while the i9 includes ECC memory capability. PCIe connectivity also differs: the N355 provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i9 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). These architectural choices reflect the N355's mobile, power-conscious role versus the i9's desktop, performance-oriented role.

Specification Differences

The specification table highlights several key differences between the two parts. The N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ by 1.90 GHz (1.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz), and boost clocks differ by 1.90 GHz (3.90 GHz versus 5.80 GHz). TDP is a major separator: the N355 draws 15 watts, while the i9 draws 125 watts. The socket is different as well, with the N355 using Intel BGA 1264 and the i9 using Intel Socket 1700.

Cache sizes diverge significantly. The N355 offers 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The i9 offers 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB per core L2, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support overlaps on DDR4 and DDR5, but the N355 adds LPDDR5 while the i9 does not. Memory bus width is single-channel for the N355 and dual-channel for the i9. The N355 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s; the i9 has no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is absent on the N355 and present on the i9. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: Gen 3 with 9 lanes versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The i9 is multiplier-unlocked, while the N355 is locked. The i9 has a larger die at 257 mm², though the N355 has no die size recorded. Release dates differ by roughly six months: the N355 launched on January 6, 2025, while the i9 launched on June 30, 2024. Market segments also differ, with the N355 marked as Mobile and the i9 as Desktop. Both are listed as Active in production status, and neither has a launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has 16 threads across 8 cores, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 threads across 8 cores.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The N355 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i9-14901KE has a TDP of 125 watts, a difference of 110 watts.

Q: Do both processors use the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both the N355 and the i9-14901KE use UHD Graphics 770.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The i9-14901KE supports ECC memory, while the N355 does not.

Q: How does the N355's benchmark performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The N355's average benchmark score is 13,492, which is within 0.3 percent of the Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452) and 0 percent of the Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494). It trails the Intel Core 5 120UL (13,594) by 0.8 percent and leads the Intel Core i7-1250U (13,351) by 1.1 percent.

Q: What memory configurations does each processor support?

A: The N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 in a single-channel configuration. The i9-14901KE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration.