Core 3 N355 vs Core i5-9600K

CPU

GPU

Core 3 N355

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2025

Core i5-9600K

6 Cores6 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 3 N355

8 / 8

10,502

0.0%

10,645

+1.4%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core 3 N355 is positioned at rank #625 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 3 N355

#187

Core Ultra 9 288V

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

97%

#613

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

838%

#614

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

826%

#615

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

758%

#616

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

755%

#617

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

748%

#619

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

722%

#620

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

692%

#621

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

691%

#622

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

673%

#625

Core 3 N355

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

100%

#628

Core i5-1335UE

MSRP: $312|Avg: $312

100%

#638

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9600K

#300

Core i7-10700F

MSRP: $310|Avg: $250

108%

#301

Core i7-10700T

MSRP: $355|Avg: $200

108%

#302

Core i7-6900K

MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089

23%

#302

Celeron G5920

MSRP: $52|Avg: $40

108%

#303

Core i3-10105T

MSRP: $122|Avg: $122

107%

#303

Core i7-5960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $83

22%

#304

Core i7-6950X

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $180

17%

#304

Celeron G5900

MSRP: $50|Avg: $42

107%

#305

Core 5 120

MSRP: $340|Avg: $340

106%

#306

Core i7-12700T

MSRP: $339|Avg: $337

105%

#307

Core 3 100HL

MSRP: $306|Avg: $280

105%

#308

Core i9-11900F

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $358.87

103%

#309

Core i9-9900T

MSRP: $423|Avg: $215

103%

#310

Core i5-9500T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $132

103%

#311

Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

101%

#312

Core i9-10940X

MSRP: $784|Avg: $460

101%

#313

Core i9-10920X

MSRP: $689|Avg: $430

101%

#314

Core i7-10700

MSRP: $365|Avg: $268

100%

#315

Core i5-9600K

MSRP: $263|Avg: $178

100%

#316

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1400

100%

#317

Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GE

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#318

Core i3-10305T

MSRP: $143|Avg: $143

100%

#319

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

98%

#320

Core i3-10100

MSRP: $122|Avg: $146

98%

#321

Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE

MSRP: $311|Avg: $311

98%

#322

Celeron G6900

MSRP: $52|Avg: $77

97%

#323

Core i9-11900K

MSRP: $539|Avg: $435

96%

#324

Core i7-12700TE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $350

94%

#325

Core i9-12900E

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

94%

#326

Celeron G4900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $40

94%

#327

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $452

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core 3 N355 (2025) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 3 N355	Core i5-9600K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)	✅ More affordable ($178)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-9600K (2018) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 3 N355	Core i5-9600K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+71%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)	✅ More affordable ($178)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 3 N355 Benchmark Check

Core i5-9600K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 3 N355 and Core i5-9600K

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 i5-9600K

The Core i5-9600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,645 points. Launch price was $262.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-9600K offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core 3 N355 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600K — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600K (base: 0.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-9600K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Core i5-9600K's 10,645 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-9600K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600K.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i5-9600K
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 6
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.6 GHz+18%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+3600%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+700%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	10,502	10,645+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-9600K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i5-9600K
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 3 N355) / true (Core i5-9600K). The Core i5-9600K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 3 N355 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i5-9600K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 3 N355 launched at $300 MSRP, while the Core i5-9600K debuted at $263. At current prices ($300 vs $178), the Core i5-9600K is $122 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 59.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-9600K — making the Core i5-9600K the 52.3% better value option.