Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

The Intel Core 3 N355 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus occupy opposite ends of Intel’s current desktop and mobile spectrum. The data shows a complete sweep in favor of the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, which wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Core 3 N355, a 15-watt mobile part, is outclassed by the 125-watt desktop flagship contender in every measurable category, from single-thread responsiveness to multi-core rendering throughput.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus occurs in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 42,718 against the Core 3 N355’s 5,262. This represents an 87.7% delta, the largest margin recorded across all benchmarks. The gap is substantial enough that the Core 3 N355’s score is closer to zero than it is to the winner’s total, indicating a fundamental difference in sustained all-core workload capabilities.

Single-thread performance also heavily favors the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, though the margin is comparatively smaller. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus delivers 6,030 points versus 1,039 for the Core 3 N355, a delta of 82.8%. The PassMark single-thread test shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 4,698 against 2,153, a 54.2% advantage, which is the narrowest gap in the entire comparison. This suggests that while the desktop part’s higher clock speeds matter, the architectural efficiency of the Core 3 N355’s Twin Lake design narrows the per-core deficit somewhat.

In Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The multi-core test shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 17,941 versus 3,612 for the Core 3 N355, a 79.9% delta. The single-core test mirrors this exactly in percentage terms, with 2,532 versus 509, also a 79.9% delta. The older Cinebench R15 test shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scoring 4,305 multi-core and 607 single-core, against 822 and 168 respectively, with deltas of 80.9% and 72.3%.

The PassMark suite reveals where the architectural gulf is widest. The prime number finding test shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 452 versus 27 for the Core 3 N355, a 94% delta, the largest single gap recorded. Floating point math follows closely, with the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scoring 159,824 against 22,695, an 85.8% delta. Extended instructions show a similar story: 42,880 versus 5,968, an 86.1% delta.

Data compression and encryption workloads, which often benefit from both core count and memory bandwidth, also favor the desktop part heavily. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 553,155 in data compression against 117,435 for the Core 3 N355, a 78.8% delta. Data encryption shows 41,292 versus 8,121, an 80.3% delta. Integer math, a broadly representative compute task, shows 123,030 versus 33,894, a 72.5% delta, the second-smallest margin after single-thread tests.

The multithread PassMark score, which aggregates many threaded workloads, shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 50,146 versus 10,174, a 79.7% delta. Physics simulation, often a proxy for gaming physics workloads, shows 3,183 versus 625, an 80.4% delta. Random string sorting shows 67,209 versus 14,706, a 78.1% delta.

Across all 17 recorded benchmarks, the Core 3 N355 records zero wins. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is 66,159, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 3 N355 averages 13,492, placing it in the 68th percentile. The delta between their average scores is roughly 79.6%, consistent with the individual benchmark margins.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins in every category that the database measures. This includes single-thread responsiveness, multi-threaded rendering, integer and floating point math, encryption, compression, physics simulation, and extended instruction throughput. Its 93rd percentile ranking places it alongside processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, which it trails by only 0.4% in average score, and the Intel Core 9 273PQE, which it leads by 0.1%.

The Core 3 N355 has no benchmark category where it outperforms the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Its only relative strength is in the narrowest margin, the PassMark single-thread test, where the 54.2% deficit is smaller than the 80% plus gaps seen in most multi-core tests. This indicates that for purely single-threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, the mobile part is less catastrophically behind, but still decisively slower.

The Core 3 N355’s 68th percentile ranking places it in the same performance tier as the Intel Core i3-12100F, which it trails by 0% in average score, and the Intel Core i5-9500, which it leads by 0.3%. These are older desktop parts with similar aggregate performance, indicating that the Core 3 N355 is competitive with a mid-range desktop CPU from several generations ago, but not with current desktop flagships.

For use cases, the data suggests the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is suited to any workload that benefits from high core counts, fast clock speeds, and large cache. The Core 3 N355, with its 15-watt power envelope and mobile socket, appears designed for low-power systems where the performance deficit is an acceptable trade-off. The benchmark data does not show any single workload where the Core 3 N355 is the better choice.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, built on TSMC’s 3 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 3 N355 has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

Core configuration differs sharply. The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Neither processor uses simultaneous multithreading, as thread counts equal core counts for both.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The Core 3 N355 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The desktop part’s L3 cache is five times larger, and its per-core L2 cache is larger as well.

Memory support diverges completely. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but only through a single-channel memory bus with a peak bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only, through a dual-channel bus with a peak bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The desktop part offers three times the memory bandwidth, which directly contributes to its advantage in bandwidth-sensitive workloads like data compression and encryption.

The Core 3 N355 includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics, as indicated by the N/A entry. The Core 3 N355 uses an Intel BGA 1264 socket and is classified as a mobile part, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Intel Socket 1851 and is a desktop part.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Core 3 N355 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The desktop part’s PCIe support is two generations newer and provides more than double the lane count.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 3 N355 does not. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus also supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 N355 does not. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a launch MSRP of $184; the Core 3 N355 has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports only one conclusion for performance: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the superior processor in every benchmark measured. It wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 54.2% in single-thread tests to 94% in prime number finding. Its average benchmark score of 66,159 is nearly five times that of the Core 3 N355’s 13,492.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is positioned in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, alongside the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core 9 273PQE. The Core 3 N355 sits in the 68th percentile, competing with the Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-9500. A user selecting between these two parts based purely on benchmark data would choose the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus without hesitation.

The Core 3 N355’s role is defined by its mobile platform characteristics: 15-watt power consumption, BGA socket, integrated graphics, and support for three memory types. It is a low-power processor for compact or portable systems. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is a desktop processor with a 125-watt power envelope, no integrated graphics, and a socket designed for high-end builds.

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is also the newer release, with a recorded release date of 2026-03-10, compared to the Core 3 N355’s 2025-01-06. Both are listed as Active in production status. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Core 3 N355 does not.

For a system builder prioritizing raw performance, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the only choice supported by the data. For a system builder constrained by power and physical space, the Core 3 N355 offers a functional, if far slower, alternative. The benchmark data does not indicate any scenario where the Core 3 N355 outperforms the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins all single-thread benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 6,030 versus 1,039 for the Core 3 N355, a delta of 82.8%. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4,698 versus 2,153, a delta of 54.2%.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The largest multi-core gap is in Cinebench R23, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42,718 against 5,262, a delta of 87.7%. In PassMark multithread, the gap is 79.7%, with scores of 50,146 and 10,174.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. Neither part supports simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 through a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only through a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core 3 N355 includes UHD Graphics 770. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds?

A: The Core 3 N355 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 N355 | Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus |

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

| Cores | 8 | 18 |

| Threads | 8 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |