Core i3-N300 vs Core i7-8559U

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 i7-8559U 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 i7-8559U: 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

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1528 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8559U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Core i7-8559U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-8559U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,274 vs 8,283).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1528 with DDR4, while Core i3-N300 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-N300 better than Core i7-8559U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8559U is ahead with a 9.4% 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 0.1% better PassMark. Core i7-8559U 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 0.1% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8559U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1528, 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 i7-8559U 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 i7-8559U

The Core i7-8559U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,274 points. Launch price was $431.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-N300 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-8559U 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 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8559U — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-8559U (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-N300 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-8559U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-N300 scores 8,283 against the Core i7-8559U's 8,274 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-N300. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8559U.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i7-8559U
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.5 GHz+18%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.7 GHz+2600%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	8,283	8,274

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-N300 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-8559U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.