Core i3-N300
VS
Core i7-8559U

Core i3-N300 vs Core i7-8559U

Intel

Core i3-N300

8 Cores8 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023
VS
Intel

Core i7-8559U

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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. The Core i3-N300 is positioned at rank 761 and the Core i7-8559U is on rank 815, so the Core i3-N300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N300

#749
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1094%
#750
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1078%
#751
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
990%
#752
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
985%
#753
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
976%
#755
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
943%
#756
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
904%
#757
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
903%
#758
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
878%
#761
Core i3-N300
MSRP: $309|Avg: $309
100%
#767
Core i7-1250U
MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A
99%
#772
Core i7-9750HF
MSRP: $395|Avg: $395
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8559U

#803
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1241%
#804
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1223%
#805
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1123%
#806
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1118%
#807
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1107%
#809
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1069%
#810
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1025%
#811
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1024%
#812
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
996%
#815
Core i7-8559U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#818
Core i7-8709G
MSRP: $338|Avg: $150
99%
#819
Celeron M 560
MSRP: $86|Avg: $10
99%
#824
Celeron Dual-Core T3000
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
95%
#825
Pentium P6100
MSRP: $100|Avg: $16.39
95%
#828
Celeron M 575
MSRP: $86|Avg: $12
94%
#829
Core i7-10710U
MSRP: $415|Avg: N/A
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-8559U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-N300 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i3-N300Core i7-8559U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($309)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm)
✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-N300Core i7-8559U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($309)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-N300 and Core i7-8559U

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

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.

FeatureCore i3-N300Core 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)+700%
256K (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-N (2023)
Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark
8,283
8,274
🧠

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.

FeatureCore i3-N300Core i7-8559U
Socket
FCBGA1264
FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0