Core i3-1005G1 vs N250

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 i3-1005G1 vs N250 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 i3-1005G1 vs N250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1005G1

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake), while N250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1526 with DDR4, while N250 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

N250

2025

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1526 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,773 vs 4,827).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1005G1 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1005G1 better than N250?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, N250 is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1005G1 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. N250 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1005G1 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1005G1 still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-1005G1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

N250 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 FCBGA1526, and 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1005G1 vs N250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1005G1

The Core i3-1005G1 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,827 points. Launch price was $281.

N250

The N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 4,773 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1005G1 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the N250 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the N250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-1005G1 versus 3.8 GHz on the N250 — a 11.1% clock advantage for the N250. The Core i3-1005G1 is built on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-1005G1 scores 4,827 against the N250's 4,773 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-1005G1. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-1005G1 vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N250.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	N250
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)	—
PassMark	4,827+1%	4,773
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,319	—
Geekbench 6 Single	603	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,605	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1005G1 uses the FCBGA1526 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	N250
Socket	FCBGA1526	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4-3733	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i3-1005G1) / not specified (N250). The Core i3-1005G1 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake)), while the N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1005G1 targets Thin-and-light.