CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N97 is the clear performance winner in every head-to-head benchmark against the Intel Core i3-N300, despite the Core i3-N300 having double the cores. The data shows a decisive victory for the N97 across both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, with the largest deltas appearing in single-threaded workloads where the N97 leads by nearly half.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Processor N97 wins all four shared benchmark comparisons, and the margins are substantial. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N97 scores 973 against the Core i3-N300’s 513, a 47.3% advantage. This is the single largest gap between the two processors in any test. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the N97’s 161 dwarfs the Core i3-N300’s 85, representing a 47.2% lead. These results indicate that despite sharing the same Gracemont architecture, the N97’s higher base clock of 2000.00 MHz versus the Core i3-N300’s 100.00 MHz translates into significantly stronger per-core performance.

Multi-core results tell a more nuanced story. The N97 still wins, but the margins shrink considerably. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the N97 scores 2913 against the Core i3-N300’s 2546, a 12.6% advantage. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar trend: N97 at 479 versus Core i3-N300 at 416, a 13.2% lead. These numbers are notable because the Core i3-N300 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the N97 has only 4 cores and 4 threads. The fact that a quad-core chip beats an octa-core chip in multi-threaded tests suggests the Core i3-N300’s low base clock severely hampers its ability to leverage its additional cores effectively.

Looking at the broader benchmark landscape, both processors land at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs. The Core i3-N300 has an average benchmark score of 1135, while the N97 sits at 1132. The nearest rivals for the Core i3-N300 include the Intel Core i5-3570T at 1136 (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Core i5-2550K at 1136 (0.1% ahead). The N97’s closest competitors are the Intel Core i3-10110U at 1131 (0.1% behind the N97) and the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 at 1130 (0.2% behind). These near-identical average scores reinforce that the two processors occupy the same overall performance tier, even though their workload-specific characteristics diverge sharply.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N97 wins in every measurable category in the benchmark data. It dominates single-core workloads by a wide margin, with a 47.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 47.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. This makes the N97 the clear choice for tasks that depend on responsiveness and per-thread performance, such as lightly threaded applications or everyday interactive use. The N97 also wins multi-core tests, though by a smaller margin: 12.6% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 13.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

The Intel Core i3-N300 has no benchmark wins in this comparison. Its only advantage is structural rather than performance-based: it offers 8 cores and 8 threads, double the N97’s 4 cores and 4 threads, plus a larger L2 cache configuration of 2 MB per module versus the N97’s 2 MB shared. However, the data shows that this core count advantage does not translate into superior benchmark scores. The Core i3-N300’s average benchmark score of 1135 is actually 0.3% higher than the N97’s 1132, but this difference is negligible and within the margin of the nearest rival deltas. In direct head-to-head testing, the N97 wins all four comparisons, giving it a 4-0 record in winsA versus winsB.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s Gracemont architecture, using the same 10 nm process node from Intel’s own foundry. They share the same codename, Gracemont, and both belong to the Alder Lake-N generation, with the Core i3-N300 listed under “Core i3 (Alder Lake-N)” and the N97 under “Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N)”. The L1 cache is identical at 96 KB per core for both, and the L3 cache is also the same at 6 MB shared.

The key architectural distinction lies in core count and cache organization. The Core i3-N300 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the N97 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The L2 cache differs in structure: the Core i3-N300 has 2 MB per module, whereas the N97 has 2 MB shared. With 8 cores, the Core i3-N300’s L2 is likely partitioned across multiple modules, while the N97’s 4 cores share a single 2 MB pool.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core i3-N300 features UHD Graphics 770, while the N97 uses UHD Graphics 730. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use the same Intel BGA 1264 socket and offer PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes from the CPU. The base clock figures diverge dramatically: the Core i3-N300 is listed at 100.00 MHz, while the N97 runs at 2000.00 MHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the Core i3-N300 reaching 3.70 GHz and the N97 reaching 3.60 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. Core count: the Core i3-N300 has 8 cores versus the N97’s 4 cores. Thread count follows the same pattern: 8 threads versus 4 threads. Base clock is a major differentiator: 100.00 MHz for the Core i3-N300 versus 2000.00 MHz for the N97. Boost clock favors the Core i3-N300 slightly at 3.70 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. Thermal design power differs, with the Core i3-N300 rated at 7 and the N97 at 12.

The L2 cache configuration is another differentiator: 2 MB per module for the Core i3-N300 versus 2 MB shared for the N97. Integrated graphics differ as noted: UHD Graphics 770 versus UHD Graphics 730. The launch MSRP for the Core i3-N300 is $309, while the N97 has no launch MSRP listed. The part numbers also differ: SRMDS for the Core i3-N300 and SRMLM for the N97. Both processors share the same release date, socket, process node, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe configuration, market segment (Mobile), production status (Active), and multiplier unlocked status (false).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i3-N300 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Processor N97 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor scores higher in single-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Processor N97 leads by a wide margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N97 scores 973 versus the Core i3-N300’s 513, a 47.3% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the N97 scores 161 versus 85, a 47.2% lead.

Q: Does the Core i3-N300’s higher core count help it in multi-core tests?

A: No. The N97 wins multi-core tests as well. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the N97 scores 2913 versus 2546, a 12.6% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N97 scores 479 versus 416, a 13.2% lead.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core i3-N300 has an average benchmark score of 1135, and the N97 has an average score of 1132. Both sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Do both processors use the same architecture?

A: Yes. Both use Intel’s Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm process node, with the same 96 KB L1 cache per core and 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for the Core i3-N300?

A: The launch MSRP for the Intel Core i3-N300 is $309. The Intel Processor N97 has no launch MSRP listed.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Processor N97 is the superior processor in every direct comparison. It wins all four head-to-head tests, with particularly dominant single-core performance that is nearly double that of the Core i3-N300. The N97’s 47.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 47.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core make it the obvious choice for any workload where per-thread speed matters. Even in multi-core scenarios, where the Core i3-N300’s 8 cores should theoretically give it an edge, the N97 still comes out ahead by roughly 13% in both Cinebench R23 and R15 multi-core tests.

The Intel Core i3-N300’s only statistical advantage is its average benchmark score of 1135 versus 1132, a 0.3% difference that falls within the noise of the nearest rival comparisons. Its higher core count and larger L2 cache configuration (2 MB per module versus 2 MB shared) do not translate into any benchmark wins. The Core i3-N300 also carries a $309 launch MSRP, while the N97 has no listed launch MSRP, but performance data does not justify the Core i3-N300’s position.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the Intel Processor N97 is the clear recommendation. Its higher base clock of 2000.00 MHz versus 100.00 MHz appears to be the decisive factor, allowing it to outperform the Core i3-N300 despite having half the cores. The N97’s lower single-core deficit and competitive multi-core results make it the better all-around choice. The Core i3-N300 may appeal to those who value its 8-core configuration or its UHD Graphics 770 over the N97’s UHD Graphics 730, but the benchmark results show no performance scenario where the Core i3-N300 wins. Data-driven buyers should choose the N97.