Core i3-N300 vs M1

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 M1 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 M1: 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.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M1 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while M1 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

M1

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,207 vs 8,283).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-N300 better than M1?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, M1 is ahead with a 8.8% 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. M1 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 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 at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that M1 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of the older platform, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-N300 vs M1 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.

M1

The M1 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 November 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Passmark benchmark score: 8,207 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-N300 and M1 share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 3.2 GHz on the M1 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-N300 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.064 GHz). The Core i3-N300 is built on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-N300 scores 8,283 against the M1's 8,207 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-N300. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300 vs 16 MB on the M1.

Feature	Core i3-N300	M1
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.064 GHz+1964%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	16 MB+167%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)	16 MB+700%
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	—
PassMark	8,283	8,207