Core i3-12100TE vs Core 3 N355

Core i3-12100TE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 4 GHz2022

Core 3 N355

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2025

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-12100TE

4 / 8

10,432

0.0%

10,502

+0.7%

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-12100TE leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 3 N355 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-12100TE	Core 3 N355
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($149)	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm)	✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: The Core i3-12100TE leads not only in performance but also in value. It is effectively 50% cheaper ($149 vs $300) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-12100TE	Core 3 N355
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+100%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($149)	⚠️ Higher cost ($300)

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.

Core i3-12100TE Benchmark Check

Core 3 N355 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-12100TE and Core 3 N355

Core i3-12100TE

The Core i3-12100TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 10,432 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-12100TE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core 3 N355 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core 3 N355 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-12100TE versus 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-12100TE (base: 2.1 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i3-12100TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core 3 N355 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100TE scores 10,432 against the Core 3 N355's 10,502 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 3 N355. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100TE vs 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355.

Feature	Core i3-12100TE	Core 3 N355
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+3%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+2000%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (total)+60%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Twin Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	10,432	10,502
Geekbench 6 Single	2,100	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core 3 N355 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-12100TE	Core 3 N355
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100TE) / not specified (Core 3 N355). The Core i3-12100TE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core 3 N355 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100TE rivals Ryzen Embedded V2000.