Core 3 N355 vs Xeon E5-1650 v3

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 Xeon E5-1650 v3 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 Xeon E5-1650 v3: 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

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $283 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 96.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.0 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1650 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1650 v3, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1650 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,387 vs 10,502).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.8 vs 35.0 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
❌833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core 3 N355 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 3 N355 better than Xeon E5-1650 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1650 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core 3 N355 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 1.1% 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 $283 cheaper on MSRP at $300 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1650 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 96.5% better value on MSRP (35.0 vs 17.8 PassMark/$), 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 2014), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 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 Xeon E5-1650 v3 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.

Xeon E5-1650 v3

The Xeon E5-1650 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,387 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 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 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core 3 N355 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Xeon E5-1650 v3's 10,387 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 3 N355. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650 v3.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Xeon E5-1650 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+3400%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	10,502+1%	10,387

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Xeon E5-1650 v3
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 3 N355 was priced at $300, while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 came in at $583. On launch pricing ($300 vs $583), Core 3 N355 was $283 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1650 v3 — making the Core 3 N355 the 65.1% better value option.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Xeon E5-1650 v3
MSRP	$300-49%	$583
Performance per Dollar	35.0+97%	17.8
Release Date	2025	2014

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