Intel Core 3 N355 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data places the Intel Core 3 N355 in a familiar competitive position: its average benchmark score of 13,492 sits within 1.1% of several established desktop and mobile parts, including the Intel Core i3-12100F at 13,494 and the Intel Core i7-1250U at 13,351. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, no average score, and no nearest rivals listed. Its percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs is based on specifications alone, not measured performance.

For users who require verified performance data today, the Intel Core 3 N355 is the only option with usable measurements. The Snapdragon X2E-78-100 appears as a future part with a release date later than the Intel chip, and its database entry is empty of test results. The data shows no head-to-head benchmark comparisons were recorded between these two processors, and neither chip has a win count in direct competition.

The Intel Core 3 N355 should be selected by anyone needing a mobile processor with confirmed multi-threaded and single-threaded scores across Cinebench and PassMark suites. The Snapdragon X2E-78-100 cannot be recommended based on measured performance because none exists in the database. Its 3 nm process node, 12 cores, and dual-channel LPDDR5X memory support suggest a different class of hardware, but without benchmark results, the database cannot validate any performance claims.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has an average benchmark score of 13,492. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 has an average benchmark score of 0, meaning no benchmarks were recorded for it.

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 N355 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 scores 0% different from the Intel Core i3-12100F, 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500, 0.8% behind the Intel Core 5 120UL, and 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-1250U.

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

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 has 12 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 is built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 3 N355 uses a 10 nm process from Intel.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 supports LPDDR5X memory only.

Q: Is there any head-to-head benchmark data between these two CPUs?

A: No. The database contains zero head-to-head benchmark entries, zero wins for either processor, and no nearest rivals for the Snapdragon X2E-78-100.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, which the database lists under the generation label "Core 3 (Alder Lake-N)". This places it in Intel's low-power mobile family with a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel itself. The Snapdragon X2E-78-100 uses the Glymur codename under the Snapdragon X2 (Elite) generation, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The process node difference is substantial: 10 nm versus 3 nm, which typically indicates a more advanced transistor density for the Qualcomm part.

Cache organization differs sharply between the two. The Intel chip provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Qualcomm chip provides 288 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L2, with no L3 cache listed in the database. The Intel part has a larger total cache hierarchy in terms of levels, while the Qualcomm part has far more L2 capacity and a much larger per-core L1.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel uses UHD Graphics 770, while Qualcomm uses Adreno X2-85. Both are integrated solutions for mobile platforms, but the database does not include any graphics benchmark results for either part.

PCIe support also separates the two. The Intel Core 3 N355 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 CPU lanes. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes. The Qualcomm part also has a larger die size at 220 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads; the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 has 12 cores and 12 threads. Base clock speeds are 1.90 GHz for Intel and 4.00 GHz for Qualcomm. The Intel part boosts to 3.90 GHz; the Qualcomm part has no boost clock recorded.

Thermal design power is listed as 15 W for Intel, while Qualcomm has no TDP value in the database. Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1264 for the Intel chip, Qualcomm BGA 2343 for the Qualcomm chip. Process nodes are 10 nm (Intel) versus 3 nm (TSMC for Qualcomm). Foundries are Intel versus TSMC respectively.

Memory support shows a clear split: Intel supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Qualcomm supports LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 152.4 GB/s bandwidth. The memory bandwidth difference is approximately 4 times in favor of Qualcomm based on the recorded numbers.

Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both have locked multipliers. Release dates differ by over a year: the Intel part launched in January 2025, while the Qualcomm part is dated April 2026. The Intel part number is SRPNT; the Qualcomm part number is X2E78100.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries between the Intel Core 3 N355 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100. The wins counter shows 0 for both processors. This means no direct comparison data exists in the recorded measurements.

For the Intel Core 3 N355 alone, the benchmark suite provides a full picture. In Cinebench R15, it scores 822 multi-core and 168 single-core. In Cinebench R20, the scores are 3,612 multi-core and 509 single-core. Cinebench R23 shows 5,262 multi-core and 1,039 single-core. These numbers place the Intel chip at the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

PassMark results for the Intel chip include a multi-thread score of 10,174, a single-thread score of 2,153, integer math at 33,894, floating point math at 22,695, and data compression at 117,435. Data encryption scores 8,121, extended instructions score 5,968, and random string sorting scores 14,706. Physics processing scores 625, and the find prime numbers test scores 27.

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core 3 N355 provide context for these numbers. The Intel Core i3-12100F averages 13,494, essentially identical to the N355's 13,492. The Intel Core 5 120UL averages 13,594, which is 0.8% higher than the N355. The Intel Core i7-1250U averages 13,351, which is 1.1% lower. The Intel Core i5-9500 averages 13,452, which is 0.3% lower. These deltas are all within a narrow band, indicating the N355 performs in line with mid-range desktop and mobile processors from several generations.

For the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100, there are no benchmark scores, no average score, and no nearest rivals. Its percentile of 50 is the only performance-related metric, and that figure reflects its position among all CPUs based on unmeasured specifications, not test results.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 N355 wins in every category where data exists, because the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 has no recorded measurements. The Intel chip shows verified performance in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 for both multi-core and single-core workloads. It also shows verified results across PassMark's integer math, floating point math, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, physics, and random string sorting tests.

The Intel chip's nearest rival comparisons reinforce its standing. It matches the Intel Core i3-12100F within 0%, exceeds the Intel Core i5-9500 by 0.3%, trails the Intel Core 5 120UL by 0.8%, and leads the Intel Core i7-1250U by 1.1%. These deltas are small, but they position the N355 as a consistent performer across a range of workloads.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-78-100 cannot claim any wins from the database. Its 12 cores, 4.00 GHz base clock, 3 nm process, and 152.4 GB/s memory bandwidth are specifications that suggest high potential, but no benchmark results confirm that potential. The dual-channel LPDDR5X memory bus and PCIe Gen 5 lanes indicate a platform designed for different workloads, likely with higher data throughput requirements, but the database has no test data to support such inferences.

The use-case split is therefore one-sided in the recorded data. For multi-threaded productivity, single-thread responsiveness, math workloads, compression, encryption, and sorting tasks, the Intel Core 3 N355 has measured scores that users can rely on. The Qualcomm part has only its specification sheet, which lists capabilities but no verified outcomes. Until benchmark data is recorded for the Snapdragon X2E-78-100, the database can only describe its architecture, not its performance.