Core i3-N305 vs Core i5-1155G7

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-N305 vs Core i5-1155G7 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-N305 vs Core i5-1155G7: 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-N305

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1449 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1155G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,600 vs 9,686).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Core i5-1155G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-1155G7

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1449 with DDR4, while Core i3-N305 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1155G7 better than Core i3-N305?

Yes. Core i5-1155G7 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-1155G7 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% 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 i5-1155G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-1155G7 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-1155G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-N305 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 4.8% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i3-N305 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1449. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-N305 vs Core i5-1155G7 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-N305

The Core i3-N305 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): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,600 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i5-1155G7

The Core i5-1155G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,686 points. Launch price was $309.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-N305 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-1155G7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N305 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N305 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-1155G7 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-1155G7 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-N305 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-1155G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i3-N305 scores 9,600 against the Core i5-1155G7's 9,686 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-1155G7. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N305 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-1155G7.

Feature	Core i3-N305	Core i5-1155G7
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.5 GHz+18%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+2400%
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 SuperFin
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)
PassMark	9,600	9,686

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-N305 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1155G7 uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.