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 N355 vs Core i3-12100TE 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 N355 vs Core i3-12100TE: 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 N355

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-12100TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.0 vs 70.0 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-12100TE

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $151 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 100.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 70.0 vs 35.0 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,432 vs 10,502).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 3 N355 better than Core i3-12100TE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-12100TE is ahead with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 3 N355 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i3-12100TE also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 3 N355 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core 3 N355 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12100TE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 3 N355 comes in 101.3% more expensive on MSRP at $300 MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-12100TE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12100TE is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (70.0 vs 35.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core 3 N355 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 N355 vs Core i3-12100TE Technical Specifications

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

Core 3 N355

The Core 3 N355 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): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,502 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-12100TE

The Core i3-12100TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 10,432 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-12100TE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core 3 N355 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 versus 4 GHz on the Core i3-12100TE — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-12100TE (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i3-12100TE uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Core i3-12100TE's 10,432 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 3 N355. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100TE.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i3-12100TE
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.1 GHz+2000%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	10,502	10,432
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,100

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-12100TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i3-12100TE
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 3 N355) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100TE). The Core i3-12100TE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core 3 N355 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100TE rivals Ryzen Embedded V2000.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i3-12100TE
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 730
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 3 N355 was priced at $300, while the Core i3-12100TE came in at $149. On launch pricing ($300 vs $149), Core i3-12100TE was $151 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 70.0 pts/$ for the Core i3-12100TE — making the Core i3-12100TE the 66.7% better value option.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i3-12100TE
MSRP	$300	$149-50%
Performance per Dollar	35.0	70.0+100%
Release Date	2025	2022

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