Intel Core 7 350 vs Intel Processor N250 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the core counts and thread counts compare between the Intel Core 7 350 and the Intel Processor N250?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Processor N250 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither processor supports hyper-threading, as each core corresponds to a single thread.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 boosts up to 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Processor N250 boosts up to 3.80 GHz. The base clocks differ significantly as well, with the Core 7 350 at 1.50 GHz and the N250 at 0.10 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 is built on a 3 nm process node, whereas the Intel Processor N250 uses a 10 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power (TDP) between the two?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Processor N250 has a TDP of 6 watts. This indicates the N250 is designed for lower power consumption.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory. The Intel Processor N250 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory.

Q: How do the integrated graphics units differ?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Intel Processor N250 uses UHD Graphics 730.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 7 350, with the codename Wildcat Lake, represents a newer generation of Intel mobile processors. It is built on a 3 nm process node, which is significantly more advanced than the 10 nm node used by the Intel Processor N250, codenamed Twin Lake. This process difference likely contributes to the substantial gap in transistor density and power efficiency between the two.

The Core 7 350 uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket, while the N250 uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket. This indicates they are designed for different motherboard platforms and are not interchangeable.

Core architecture differs notably. The Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The N250 has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 0.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Core 7 350's higher core count and boost clock give it a clear structural advantage in raw processing capability.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 350 provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The N250 provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core and a shared 2 MB L2 cache, also with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The per-core L1 and L2 allocations in the Core 7 350 are larger, which can reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a single-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The N250 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory with a single-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core 7 350's higher bandwidth ceiling allows it to feed its faster cores more effectively.

PCIe capabilities also diverge. The Core 7 350 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the N250 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe generation on the Core 7 350 provides higher per-lane bandwidth for connected devices.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers, meaning they are not intended for overclocking. Both are classified as mobile market segments and are currently in active production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data available in the database provides a clear picture of the performance gap between these two processors, though the Intel Processor N250 has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. The Intel Core 7 350 has an extensive set of measurements across multiple Cinebench and PassMark tests.

In Cinebench R23, the Core 7 350 scores 8030 in multi-core and 2046 in single-core. These scores represent strong performance for a 15-watt mobile processor. The N250 has no recorded scores, so direct comparison is not possible from the database. However, the Core 7 350's percentile ranking of 71 among all CPUs indicates it outperforms a majority of processors in the database.

Cinebench R20 results for the Core 7 350 show 5373 in multi-core and 758 in single-core. Cinebench R15 results are 1220 in multi-core and 292 in single-core. These consistent results across different versions of Cinebench confirm the Core 7 350's rendering capabilities.

PassMark tests reveal specific strengths. The Core 7 350 scores 143123 in data compression, 10933 in data encryption, and 12045 in extended instructions. In floating point math, it scores 42809, and in integer math, it scores 33734. The multithread score is 15170, with a physics score of 1173 and a random string sorting score of 17238. The single-thread score is 4100.

The average benchmark score for the Core 7 350 is 17779. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core 5 221TE with an average score of 17860 (a delta of -0.5%), the AMD EPYC 9374F with an average score of 17693 (a delta of 0.5%), the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 (a delta of -0.6%), and the Intel Core 5 120U with an average score of 17898 (a delta of -0.7%). These close deltas indicate that the Core 7 350 sits in a competitive performance band, trading places with these rivals within a range of less than one percent.

Since the Intel Processor N250 has no benchmark scores, the database shows zero wins for either processor in head-to-head comparisons. The Core 7 350's data stands alone, but its architecture, clock speeds, and memory bandwidth all point to a substantially higher performance level than the N250's specifications would suggest. The N250's 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs, despite having no recorded benchmarks, places it in the median of the database's processor distribution.

The single-thread performance of the Core 7 350, at 4100 in PassMark, is particularly notable. This score indicates strong per-core efficiency, which is important for applications that do not scale well across multiple cores. The multi-thread score of 15170 reflects the combined capability of its 6 cores.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 350, with its 3 nm process node, 6 cores, 4.80 GHz boost clock, and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, is positioned for demanding mobile workloads. Its average benchmark score of 17779 and 71st percentile ranking confirm it operates in the upper tier of the database's processor population.

The Intel Processor N250, with its 4 cores, 3.80 GHz boost clock, 10 nm process node, and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, targets a different segment. Its 6-watt TDP, compared to the Core 7 350's 15-watt TDP, suggests a design focused on power efficiency rather than peak performance.

The absence of benchmark scores for the N250 means the database cannot quantify its performance directly. However, the architectural differences are substantial enough to draw conclusions. The Core 7 350 has 50% more cores, a higher boost clock, a more advanced process node, and significantly higher memory bandwidth. These factors combine to give it a decisive advantage in any compute-intensive scenario.

For users running multi-threaded workloads, rendering tasks, or applications requiring high memory throughput, the Core 7 350 is the clear choice based on the recorded data. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 8030 and PassMark multithread score of 15170 indicate robust parallel performance.

For scenarios where power consumption is the primary constraint, the N250's 6-watt TDP is a meaningful advantage. The Core 7 350's 15-watt TDP requires more thermal headroom and battery capacity. The N250 also supports DDR4 memory, which can be a cost-effective option in some system configurations.

The Core 7 350's launch MSRP is $469. No price data exists for the N250 in the database.

The socket difference (BGA 1516 vs. BGA 1264) means these processors are not drop-in alternatives for the same motherboard. System designers must choose their platform first, and the choice of platform inherently dictates which processor is available.

The Core 7 350's PCIe Gen 4 support with 6 lanes provides a bandwidth advantage over the N250's PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes. For systems using discrete GPUs or high-speed NVMe storage, the newer PCIe generation on the Core 7 350 is preferable.

In summary, the Intel Core 7 350 is the higher-performing processor across every measurable dimension in the database. The Intel Processor N250 is the lower-power option with a more modest specification set. The choice between them depends on whether the workload prioritizes performance or power efficiency.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 350 | Intel Processor N250 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 6 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Twin Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

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

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2025-01-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $469 | None |

| Part Number | SAE3F | SRPNS |

The two processors share several characteristics. Both are Intel mobile processors with single-channel memory buses, neither supports ECC memory, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both are in active production. The Core 7 350 has a newer release date and a higher launch MSRP. The N250 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.