Core i7-870S vs Processor N250

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 i7-870S vs Processor N250 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 i7-870S vs Processor N250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-870S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,765 vs 2,786).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Processor N250 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1266.7% higher power demand at 82W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1156, while Processor N250 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N250

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 6W instead of 82W, a 76W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1156 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Processor N250 better than Core i7-870S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-870S is ahead with a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Processor N250 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-870S also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Processor N250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Processor N250 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Processor N250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-870S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Processor N250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2010), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1156, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-870S vs Processor N250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

Processor N250

The Processor N250 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,786 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-870S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Processor N250's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S versus 3.8 GHz on the Processor N250 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Processor N250 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i7-870S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Processor N250 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870S scores 2,765 against the Processor N250's 2,786 — a 0.8% lead for the Processor N250. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N250.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Processor N250
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+2560%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (total)+700%
Process	45 nm	10 nm-78%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Twin Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	2,765	2,786

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Processor N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Processor N250
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-870S was priced at $300, while the Processor N250 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($300 vs $0), Processor N250 was $300 cheaper.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Processor N250
MSRP	$300	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	9.2	—
Release Date	2010	2025

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