Core i7-7700K vs Core i3-N305

Core i7-7700K

4 Cores8 Thrd100 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017

Core i3-N305

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-7700K

4 / 8

9,625

+0.3%

9,600

0.0%

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 i7-7700K is positioned at rank 577 and the Core i3-N305 is on rank 681, so the Core i7-7700K 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 i7-7700K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

9877%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

9333%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

6776%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2041%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1617%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1415%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

810%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

800%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

728%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

728%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

720%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

700%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

691%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

688%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

682%

#278

Ryzen Threadripper 1900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $116

97%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

96%

#577

Core i7-7700K

MSRP: $305|Avg: $140

100%

#578

Core i5-7600K

MSRP: $217|Avg: $84

99%

#579

FX-6300

MSRP: $132|Avg: $35

99%

#581

Core i3-6100T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $20

99%

#582

Athlon X4 970

MSRP: $85|Avg: $85

99%

#583

FX-8370

MSRP: $199|Avg: $100

98%

#584

Pentium G4520

MSRP: $86|Avg: $45

98%

#585

Core i3-4170

MSRP: $117|Avg: $40

98%

#586

Celeron G460

MSRP: $37|Avg: $10

98%

#587

A4 PRO-7350B

MSRP: $50|Avg: $11

98%

#589

Pentium G3220T

MSRP: $54|Avg: $15

97%

#590

Celeron G1620

MSRP: $52|Avg: $40

97%

#591

Core i5-7600T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $60

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N305

#669

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

944%

#670

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

930%

#671

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

854%

#672

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

850%

#673

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

843%

#675

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

814%

#676

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

780%

#677

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

779%

#678

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

758%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#695

Processor N95

MSRP: $160|Avg: $80

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-N305 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-7700K	Core i3-N305
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($140)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-7700K (2017) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-7700K	Core i3-N305
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+121%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($140)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)

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.

Core i7-7700K Benchmark Check

Core i3-N305 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-7700K and Core i3-N305

Core i7-7700K

The Core i7-7700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 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: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,625 points. Launch price was $339.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-7700K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-N305 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N305 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7700K versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N305 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700K (base: 4.2 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i7-7700K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-N305 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7700K scores 9,625 against the Core i3-N305's 9,600 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-7700K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N305.

Feature	Core i7-7700K	Core i3-N305
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+18%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+4100%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (per module)+700%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	9,625	9,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-N305 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7700K	Core i3-N305
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-7700K launched at $305 MSRP, while the Core i3-N305 debuted at $309. At current prices ($140 vs $309), the Core i7-7700K is $169 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-7700K delivers 68.8 pts/$ vs 31.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-N305 — making the Core i7-7700K the 75.5% better value option.