Core i3-6157U vs Processor 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 i3-6157U vs Processor 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 i3-6157U vs Processor 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 i3-6157U

2016

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 550, while Processor N250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,782 vs 2,786).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1356 with DDR4, while Processor N250 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N250

2025

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1356 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6157U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor N250 better than Core i3-6157U?

Yes. Processor N250 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Processor N250 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% 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, Processor N250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Processor N250 still makes the most sense overall. Processor N250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Processor N250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2016), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1356, 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-6157U vs Processor N250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6157U

The Core i3-6157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,782 points. Launch price was $304.

Processor N250

The Processor N250 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,786 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-6157U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Processor N250 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Processor N250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-6157U versus 3.8 GHz on the Processor N250 — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Processor N250 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i3-6157U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Processor N250 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6157U scores 2,782 against the Processor N250's 2,786 — a 0.1% lead for the Processor N250. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6157U vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N250.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Processor N250
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+58%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+2300%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Twin Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	2,782	2,786

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6157U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Processor N250
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6157U) / not specified (Processor N250). The Core i3-6157U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 550), while the Processor N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6157U targets Mobile.