Processor N250 vs Core i3-6157U

CPU

GPU

Processor N250

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

Core i3-6157U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Processor N250

4 / 4

2,786

+0.1%

2,782

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6157U

#187

Core Ultra 9 288V

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

97%

#188

Core i7-10870H

MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A

97%

#618

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

844%

#619

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

831%

#620

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

763%

#621

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

760%

#622

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

753%

#624

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

727%

#625

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

697%

#626

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

696%

#627

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

677%

#630

Core i3-6157U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#638

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

98%

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 Processor N250 (2025) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Processor N250	Core i3-6157U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / 10 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-6157U (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Processor N250	Core i3-6157U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Processor N250 Benchmark Check

Core i3-6157U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Processor N250 and Core i3-6157U

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.

Core i3-6157U

The Core i3-6157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,782 points. Launch price was $304.

⚡

Processing Power

The Processor N250 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6157U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Processor N250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Processor N250 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-6157U — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Processor N250 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Processor N250 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-6157U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Processor N250 scores 2,786 against the Core i3-6157U's 2,782 — a 0.1% lead for the Processor N250. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Processor N250 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6157U.

Feature	Processor N250	Core i3-6157U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+58%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+2300%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+300%	512 kB
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,786	2,782

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Processor N250 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-6157U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Processor N250	Core i3-6157U
Socket	FCBGA1264	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Processor N250) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6157U). The Core i3-6157U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 550), while the Processor N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6157U targets Mobile.