Core 3 N355 vs Core i9-8950HK

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 i9-8950HK 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 i9-8950HK: 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

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅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 i9-8950HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core i9-8950HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i9-8950HK

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,373 vs 10,502).
❌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 i9-8950HK?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-8950HK is ahead with a 20.2% 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 1.2% better PassMark. Core i9-8950HK 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 1.2% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-8950HK is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 20.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (35.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2018), 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 i9-8950HK 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 i9-8950HK

The Core i9-8950HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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. Passmark benchmark score: 10,373 points. Launch price was $583.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i9-8950HK 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 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-8950HK — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-8950HK (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-8950HK uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Core i9-8950HK's 10,373 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 3 N355. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i9-8950HK.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core i9-8950HK
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.9 GHz+2800%
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-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	10,502+1%	10,373

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-8950HK uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.