Core i3-7350K vs Processor N100

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 i3-7350K vs Processor N100 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 i3-7350K vs Processor N100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7350K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Processor N100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.3 vs 38.0 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $128 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Processor N100 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N100

2023

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($128 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
✅Delivers 39.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.0 vs 27.3 PassMark/$ ($128 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7350K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,869 vs 4,886).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7350K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7350K better than Processor N100?

Yes. Core i3-7350K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7350K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.5% 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, Core i3-7350K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7350K is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-7350K comes in 39.8% more expensive on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $128 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Processor N100 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 17.5% in the shared gaming data.

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

Processor N100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 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 i3-7350K vs Processor N100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7350K

The Core i3-7350K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,886 points. Launch price was $179.

Processor N100

The Processor N100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 4,869 points. Launch price was $128.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7350K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Processor N100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Processor N100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K versus 3.4 GHz on the Processor N100 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-7350K (base: 4.2 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i3-7350K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Processor N100 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7350K scores 4,886 against the Processor N100's 4,869 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-7350K. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7350K vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N100.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Processor N100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+24%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+4100%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	4,886	4,869
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,100	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,298	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,740	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N100 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Processor N100
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i3-7350K) / not specified (Processor N100). The Core i3-7350K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Processor N100 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Processor N100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7350K was priced at $179, while the Processor N100 came in at $128. On launch pricing ($179 vs $128), Processor N100 was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7350K delivers 27.3 pts/$ vs 38.0 pts/$ for the Processor N100 — making the Processor N100 the 32.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Processor N100
MSRP	$179	$128-28%
Performance per Dollar	27.3	38.0+39%
Release Date	2017	2023

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