Intel Core 3 N355 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for the Intel Core 3 N355 includes a full suite of benchmark results, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has no benchmark scores listed in the database. Consequently, direct per-test comparisons cannot be made from the available measurements. However, the Intel part's absolute scores can be interpreted against its nearest rivals, which provides context for its performance tier.

The Intel Core 3 N355 achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5262 and a single-core score of 1039. In Cinebench R20, it records 3612 multi-core and 509 single-core. The older Cinebench R15 test yields 822 multi-core and 168 single-core. These scores place the chip at the 68th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, with an average benchmark score of 13492.

The nearest rival data shows the Core 3 N355 sits essentially level with the Intel Core i3-12100F, which has an average score of 13494 and a delta of 0%. It is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500 (13452), 0.8% behind the Intel Core 5 120UL (13594), and 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-1250U (13351). These deltas are small, indicating the N355 occupies a tightly contested performance band.

For the Snapdragon X2E-96-100, the database lists no benchmark scores, an average benchmark score of 0, a percentile of 50, and no nearest rivals. This means the data cannot substantiate any head-to-head win for the Qualcomm part. The Intel part, by contrast, has a full set of measurements. The absence of data for the Snapdragon is a notable gap; the analysis below therefore relies on architectural and specification differences to characterize the two processors.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, with the generation listed as "Core 3 (Alder Lake-N)". It is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 uses the Glymur codename, belongs to the Snapdragon X2 (Elite) generation, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. The process node difference is substantial: the Snapdragon uses a more advanced manufacturing technology, which typically enables higher transistor density and improved power efficiency, though the database does not provide transistor counts for either chip.

Core counts differ significantly. The Intel part has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Qualcomm part has 18 cores and 18 threads. Neither chip supports simultaneous multithreading, as threads equal cores for both. The Snapdragon's 18-core configuration gives it a raw core-count advantage of 10 cores over the Intel part.

Clock speeds also diverge. The Intel Core 3 N355 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has a base clock of 4.45 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Snapdragon's base clock is 2.55 GHz higher than the Intel chip's base, and its boost clock is 1.10 GHz higher. These are large gaps, indicating the Qualcomm part is designed to sustain higher operating frequencies.

Cache hierarchies differ in structure and size. 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 Snapdragon provides 288 KB of L1 per core, 16 MB of L2 per module, and 9 MB of shared L3. The Qualcomm part has three times the L1 per core, eight times the L2 per module, and 3 MB more L3. The L2 organization also differs: Intel uses a single shared pool, while Qualcomm organizes L2 per module, which suggests a different core-clustering topology.

Memory support is another distinguishing area. The Intel Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, with a single-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 supports only LPDDR5X, but uses a triple-channel memory bus and achieves a memory bandwidth of 228.6 GB/s. The Snapdragon's bandwidth is roughly six times higher than the Intel part's, a massive difference that affects memory-intensive workloads. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). The Snapdragon provides PCIe Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The Snapdragon offers both a newer PCIe generation and three additional lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Snapdragon uses Adreno X2-90.

The process node, core count, clock speeds, cache layout, memory bandwidth, and PCIe generation all point to two very different design philosophies. The Intel part is a low-power, modest-core-count mobile chip. The Snapdragon is a high-core-count, high-bandwidth mobile processor built on a leading-edge node.

Where Each One Wins

Based solely on the available data, the Intel Core 3 N355 has measurable benchmark scores, so it can be said to win in any workload where those scores are positive, which includes all recorded tests. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has no recorded benchmark scores, so no empirical win can be attributed to it from the database.

However, specification differences allow for qualitative inference. The Snapdragon's 18 cores versus 8, its higher base and boost clocks, and its 228.6 GB/s memory bandwidth versus 38.4 GB/s suggest it would perform better in multi-threaded and memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks, such as large data processing, compilation, or content creation. Its triple-channel memory and PCIe Gen 5 lanes also indicate a design aimed at sustained throughput.

The Intel part's strengths lie in its measured results. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5262 and PassMark multi-thread score of 10174 confirm it handles general multi-core workloads. Its single-thread scores, such as 1039 in Cinebench R23 and 2153 in PassMark single-thread, are modest but functional. The 68th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 13492 place it in the mid-range of all CPUs.

The Snapdragon's lack of benchmark data means the database cannot confirm any workload win for it. The Intel part has confirmed wins across all recorded tests by virtue of having non-zero scores. For the Snapdragon, only architectural advantages exist, not measured ones.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has 18 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz versus 4.45 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.90 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The Intel part has a TDP of 15 watts; the Snapdragon's TDP is not listed in the database.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1264 for the Intel chip, Qualcomm BGA 2343 for the Snapdragon. The process node is 10 nm for Intel versus 3 nm for TSMC. The Snapdragon has a die size of 220 mm², while the Intel part has no die size listed. Cache configurations differ as described above: L1 is 96 KB per core versus 288 KB per core, L2 is 2 MB shared versus 16 MB per module, and L3 is 6 MB shared versus 9 MB shared.

Memory support differs: DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 for Intel versus LPDDR5X only for Qualcomm. Memory bus is single-channel versus triple-channel. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s versus 228.6 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 with 9 lanes versus Gen 5 with 12 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Adreno X2-90.

Release dates differ by over a year. The Intel part was released on 2025-01-06, while the Snapdragon is dated 2026-04-05. Both are marked as Active in production status. Neither has a launch MSRP listed in the database. Both have locked multipliers. Part numbers are SRPNT for Intel and X2E96100 for Qualcomm.

Manufacturer information is partial: Intel is listed as the manufacturer for the Core 3 N355, while the Snapdragon's manufacturer field reads "Unknown," though the foundry is listed as TSMC. The architecture field for the Snapdragon is null, while the Intel part's architecture is Twin Lake. The generation field shows "Core 3 (Alder Lake-N)" for Intel and "Snapdragon X2 (Elite)" for Qualcomm.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has 18 cores and 18 threads, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Snapdragon has 10 more cores than the Intel part.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has a base clock of 4.45 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Snapdragon's base clock is 2.55 GHz higher, and its boost clock is 1.10 GHz higher.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has a single-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, supporting DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has a triple-channel memory bus with 228.6 GB/s bandwidth, supporting LPDDR5X only. The Snapdragon's bandwidth is 190.2 GB/s higher.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 is fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The Snapdragon also has a listed die size of 220 mm², while no die size is listed for the Intel part.

Q: Which chip has better benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has recorded benchmark scores, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5262 and a single-core score of 1039. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has no benchmark scores listed in the database, so no comparison of measured performance is possible.

Q: What is the cache configuration for each?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has 288 KB L1 per core, 16 MB per module L2, and 9 MB shared L3. The Snapdragon has more L1 per core, more L2, and 3 MB more L3.

Q: When was each processor released?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 was released on 2025-01-06. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 was released on 2026-04-05. Both are currently marked as Active in production.

The Verdict

The database presents an asymmetric picture. The Intel Core 3 N355 has complete benchmark coverage, an average benchmark score of 13492, and a 68th percentile ranking. Its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-9500, are within a 1.1% delta, indicating the N355 performs at a well-established mid-range level. For tasks like Cinebench R23 multi-core rendering, where it scores 5262, or PassMark integer math, where it scores 33894, the Intel part delivers verified results.

The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has no benchmark scores, an average benchmark score of 0, a 50th percentile, and no nearest rivals. The data cannot support any claim of measured performance for this chip. Its architectural specifications, however, are clearly more ambitious: 18 cores, 4.45 GHz base clock, 5.00 GHz boost clock, triple-channel LPDDR5X at 228.6 GB/s, PCIe Gen 5, and a 3 nm process at TSMC. These specifications suggest a processor designed for high throughput, but the database contains no confirmation of that in any benchmark.

Who should pick which? Strictly from the data, the Intel Core 3 N355 is the only option with measurable performance. Its 8 cores and 15-watt TDP make it suitable for mobile devices where confirmed benchmark results matter. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 offers superior specifications on paper, including 10 additional cores and significantly higher memory bandwidth, but it lacks any empirical validation in the database. A buyer prioritizing verified scores would choose the Intel part. A buyer prioritizing raw specification numbers, such as core count and memory bandwidth, would favor the Snapdragon, but with no benchmark data to back that choice. The recorded data favors Intel; the specification sheet favors Qualcomm.