Core 3 N355 vs Core i7-9750HF

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 i7-9750HF 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 i7-9750HF: 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

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $95 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.0 vs 26.3 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9750HF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-9750HF

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,393 vs 10,502).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.3 vs 35.0 PassMark/$ ($395 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core 3 N355 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 3 N355 better than Core i7-9750HF?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9750HF is ahead with a 16.9% 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 1% better PassMark. Core i7-9750HF 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 1% 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 the better buy right now. Core 3 N355 comes in $95 cheaper on MSRP at $300 MSRP versus $395 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9750HF is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 33.0% better value on MSRP (35.0 vs 26.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 N355 vs Core i7-9750HF 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 i7-9750HF

The Core i7-9750HF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,393 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-9750HF offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core 3 N355 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9750HF — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9750HF (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-9750HF uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Core i7-9750HF's 10,393 — a 1% lead for the Core 3 N355. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9750HF.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i7-9750HF
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.5 GHz+15%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+2500%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,502+1%	10,393
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,915
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,149

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9750HF uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i7-9750HF
Socket	FCBGA1264	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 3 N355) / Yes (Core i7-9750HF).

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i7-9750HF
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 3 N355 was priced at $300, while the Core i7-9750HF came in at $395. On launch pricing ($300 vs $395), Core 3 N355 was $95 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 26.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-9750HF — making the Core 3 N355 the 28.4% better value option.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i7-9750HF
MSRP	$300-24%	$395
Performance per Dollar	35.0+33%	26.3
Release Date	2025	2019

Search Core 3 N355 on Amazon

Search Core i7-9750HF on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.