Core 3 N350 vs Core i7-8557U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 3 N350 vs Core i7-8557U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 3 N350 vs Core i7-8557U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 3 N350

2025

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1528 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,249 vs 7,309).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core i7-8557U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌600% higher power demand at 7W vs 1W.

Core i7-8557U

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 7W, a 6W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Older platform position on FCBGA1528 with DDR4, while Core 3 N350 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8557U better than Core 3 N350?

Yes. Core i7-8557U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8557U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8557U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-8557U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-8557U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 3 N350 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 2.7% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 3 N350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1528. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 N350 vs Core i7-8557U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 3 N350

The Core 3 N350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 7,249 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8557U

The Core i7-8557U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,309 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 N350 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-8557U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core 3 N350 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N350 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8557U — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8557U (base: 0.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core 3 N350 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-8557U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N350 scores 7,249 against the Core i7-8557U's 7,309 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-8557U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N350 vs 8 MB on the Core i7-8557U.

Feature	Core 3 N350	Core i7-8557U
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.5 GHz+15%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	1.7 GHz+1600%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+100%	1 MB
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,249	7,309

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N350 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-8557U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.