CPU
GPU
Core i5-9600K
Core 3 N355
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9600K
Performance Per Dollar Core 3 N355
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9600K | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($178) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9600K | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+71%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($178) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
Performance Check
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 i5-9600K and Core 3 N355
Core i5-9600K
The Core i5-9600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,645 points. Launch price was $262.
Core 3 N355
The Core 3 N355 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,502 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-9600K packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core 3 N355 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core 3 N355 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600K versus 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i5-9600K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 3 N355 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600K scores 10,645 against the Core 3 N355's 10,502 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-9600K. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+18% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+3600% | 0.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total)+50% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB (total)+700% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Twin Lake (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 10,645+1% | 10,502 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 3 N355 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-9600K) / not specified (Core 3 N355). The Core i5-9600K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 3 N355 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-9600K launched at $263 MSRP, while the Core 3 N355 debuted at $300. At current prices ($178 vs $300), the Core i5-9600K is $122 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600K delivers 59.8 pts/$ vs 35.0 pts/$ for the Core 3 N355 — making the Core i5-9600K the 52.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $263-12% | $300 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $178-41% | $300 |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.8+71% | 35.0 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2025 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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