Core 3 N355
VS
Core i7-9750HF

Core 3 N355 vs Core i7-9750HF

Intel

Core 3 N355

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2025
VS
Intel

Core i7-9750HF

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2019

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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 3 N355 is positioned at rank 625 and the Core i7-9750HF is on rank 772, so the Core 3 N355 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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 i7-9750HF

#759
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1115%
#760
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1099%
#761
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1009%
#762
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1004%
#763
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
995%
#765
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
961%
#766
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
921%
#767
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
920%
#768
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
895%
#772
Core i7-9750HF
MSRP: $395|Avg: $395
100%
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.
InsightCore 3 N355Core i7-9750HF
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($300)
⚠️ Higher cost ($395)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm)
✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-HR (2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-9750HF (2019) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, LPDDR3-2133, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore 3 N355Core i7-9750HF
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+33%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($300)
⚠️ Higher cost ($395)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 3 N355 and Core i7-9750HF

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

FeatureCore 3 N355Core 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)+700%
256K (per core)
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.

FeatureCore 3 N355Core 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
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

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

FeatureCore 3 N355Core i7-9750HF
Integrated GPU
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
💰

Value Analysis

The Core 3 N355 launched at $300 MSRP, while the Core i7-9750HF debuted at $395. At current prices ($300 vs $395), the Core 3 N355 is $95 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 26.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-9750HF — making the Core 3 N355 the 28.4% better value option.

FeatureCore 3 N355Core i7-9750HF
MSRP
$300-24%
$395
Avg Price (30d)
$300-24%
$395
Performance per Dollar
35.0+33%
26.3
Release Date
2025
2019