Core 3 N355 vs Core 5 120UL

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core 3 N355

2025

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120UL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,502 vs 10,558).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.0 vs 38.1 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).

Core 5 120UL

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $23 less on MSRP ($277 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 8.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.1 vs 35.0 PassMark/$ ($277 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core 3 N355

2025

Core 5 120UL

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $23 less on MSRP ($277 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 8.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.1 vs 35.0 PassMark/$ ($277 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120UL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,502 vs 10,558).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.0 vs 38.1 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120UL better than Core 3 N355?

Yes. Core 5 120UL is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 16.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 5 120UL is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 16.8% 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 5 120UL is the better fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core 5 120UL is the smarter buy today. Core 5 120UL is $23 cheaper on MSRP at $277 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it gives you a 16.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 8.9% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 35.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core 3 N355 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024). That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

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 3 N355 Benchmark Check

Core 5 120UL Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core 3 N355	Core 5 120UL
1080p
low	177 FPS	173 FPS
medium	142 FPS	141 FPS
high	114 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	95 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	115 FPS	114 FPS
high	91 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	79 FPS
medium	57 FPS	68 FPS
high	46 FPS	54 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core 3 N355 Open Core 5 120UL

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core 3 N355	Core 5 120UL
1080p
low	157 FPS	201 FPS
medium	135 FPS	171 FPS
high	122 FPS	155 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	136 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	177 FPS
medium	118 FPS	155 FPS
high	108 FPS	143 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	123 FPS
4K
low	106 FPS	138 FPS
medium	97 FPS	125 FPS
high	89 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	102 FPS

Open Core 3 N355 Open Core 5 120UL

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core 3 N355	Core 5 120UL
1080p
low	263 FPS	264 FPS
medium	263 FPS	264 FPS
high	263 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	264 FPS
1440p
low	263 FPS	264 FPS
medium	263 FPS	264 FPS
high	263 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	264 FPS
4K
low	263 FPS	264 FPS
medium	263 FPS	264 FPS
high	263 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	249 FPS

Open Core 3 N355 Open Core 5 120UL

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core 3 N355	Core 5 120UL
1080p
low	263 FPS	264 FPS
medium	263 FPS	264 FPS
high	263 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	264 FPS
1440p
low	263 FPS	264 FPS
medium	263 FPS	264 FPS
high	263 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	264 FPS
4K
low	263 FPS	264 FPS
medium	263 FPS	264 FPS
high	263 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	264 FPS

Open Core 3 N355 Open Core 5 120UL

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 3 N355 and Core 5 120UL

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.

Core 5 120UL

The Core 5 120UL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,558 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 N355 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core 5 120UL offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core 5 120UL has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 0.1 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core 5 120UL uses Raptor Lake-PS (2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N355 scores 10,502 against the Core 5 120UL's 10,558 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 5 120UL. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core 5 120UL
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	10 / 12+25%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.6 GHz+18%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	1.3 GHz+1200%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)
PassMark	10,502	10,558

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N355 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core 5 120UL uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 N355	Core 5 120UL
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%

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Value Analysis

The Core 3 N355 launched at $300 MSRP, while the Core 5 120UL debuted at $277. On MSRP ($300 vs $277), the Core 5 120UL is $23 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N355 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 38.1 pts/$ for the Core 5 120UL — making the Core 5 120UL the 8.5% better value option.