Core 3 N355 vs Core i5-9600KF
Core 3 N355
Core i5-9600KF
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 3 N355
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9600KF
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 3 N355 | Core i5-9600KF |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 3 N355 | Core i5-9600KF |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+103%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 3 N355 and Core i5-9600KF
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 i5-9600KF
The Core i5-9600KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) 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: 10,646 points. Launch price was $262.
Processing Power
The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-9600KF 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 i5-9600KF — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600KF (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 i5-9600KF uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Core i5-9600KF's 10,646 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-9600KF. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600KF.
| Feature | Core 3 N355 | Core i5-9600KF |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 10,502 | 10,646+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 7,301 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,600 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 6,200 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-9600KF uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 3 N355 | Core i5-9600KF |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1264 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 3 N355) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9600KF). Primary use case: Core i5-9600KF targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core 3 N355 | Core i5-9600KF |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core 3 N355 launched at $300 MSRP, while the Core i5-9600KF debuted at $262. At current prices ($300 vs $150), the Core i5-9600KF is $150 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-9600KF — making the Core i5-9600KF the 67.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core 3 N355 | Core i5-9600KF |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $300 | $262-13% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $300 | $150-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 35.0 | 71.0+103% |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2019 |
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