Core 3 N355 vs Ryzen 7 5800X

Intel

Core 3 N355

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2025
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core 3 N355 vs Ryzen 7 5800X Performance Spectrum

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.

Core 3 N355 vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 Ryzen 7 5800X: 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

  • Costs $149 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 15W instead of 105W, a 90W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (10,502 vs 27,712).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.0 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +64.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Delivers 76.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.7 vs 35.0 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 49.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$300 MSRP
  • 600% higher power demand at 105W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core 3 N355 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Core 3 N355?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 64.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 163.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 64.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 163.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in 49.7% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 64.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 76.3% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 35.0 PassMark/$), 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 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 N355 vs Ryzen 7 5800X Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 5800X's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800X (base: 0.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 90.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

FeatureCore 3 N355Ryzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
8 / 16
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.7 GHz+21%
Base Clock
0.1 GHz
3.8 GHz+3700%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
32 MB+433%
L2 Cache
2 MB (total)
512K (per core)+25500%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Twin Lake (2024−2025)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
10,502
27,712+164%
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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 3 N355Ryzen 7 5800X
Socket
FCBGA1264
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 3 N355) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop.

FeatureCore 3 N355Ryzen 7 5800X
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 3 N355 was priced at $300, while the Ryzen 7 5800X came in at $449. On launch pricing ($300 vs $449), Core 3 N355 was $149 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 61.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800X — making the Ryzen 7 5800X the 55.2% better value option.

FeatureCore 3 N355Ryzen 7 5800X
MSRP
$300-33%
$449
Performance per Dollar
35.0
61.7+76%
Release Date
2025
2020

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