Core i3-N300 vs Core i5-1145GRE

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-N300 vs Core i5-1145GRE 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-N300 vs Core i5-1145GRE: 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-N300

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $53 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
✅Delivers 18.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.8 vs 22.7 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1449 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i5-1145GRE

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,207 vs 8,283).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.7 vs 26.8 PassMark/$ ($362 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1449 with DDR4, while Core i3-N300 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-N300 better than Core i5-1145GRE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1145GRE is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N300 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-1145GRE also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-N300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-N300 comes in $53 cheaper on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $362 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-1145GRE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 18.2% better value on MSRP (26.8 vs 22.7 PassMark/$), 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 i3-N300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1449, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-N300 vs Core i5-1145GRE Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-N300

The Core i3-N300 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 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i5-1145GRE

The Core i5-1145GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 8,207 points. Launch price was $362.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-N300 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-1145GRE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-1145GRE — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-1145GRE (base: 0.1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-N300 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-1145GRE uses Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-N300 scores 8,283 against the Core i5-1145GRE's 8,207 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-N300. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-1145GRE.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i5-1145GRE
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	1.5 GHz+1400%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)
PassMark	8,283	8,207

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-N300 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1145GRE uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i5-1145GRE
Socket	FCBGA1264	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-N300 was priced at $309, while the Core i5-1145GRE came in at $362. On launch pricing ($309 vs $362), Core i3-N300 was $53 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-N300 delivers 26.8 pts/$ vs 22.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-1145GRE — making the Core i3-N300 the 16.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i5-1145GRE
MSRP	$309-15%	$362
Performance per Dollar	26.8+18%	22.7
Release Date	2023	2020

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