Quick Verdict
An impressive technical achievement in power efficiency, packing 8 E-cores into 7W. However, the combination of no P-cores, single-channel memory, and PCIe 3.0 limits it to the simplest computing tasks where power draw matters more than speed.
Overview
Launch
2023
Status
ActiveGeneration
Alder Lake-N
Market
Ultra-Low-Power Mobile
The Intel Core i3-N300 is an ultra-low-power 8-core, 8-thread mobile processor using only Gracemont E-cores with UHD Graphics 770, operating at just 7W TDP for fanless devices, Chromebooks, and tablets.
The Core i3-N300 takes the same 8 Gracemont E-core design as the N305 but slashes the TDP from 15W to just 7W, with boost clocks reduced to 3.7 GHz. It retains the UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs at 1250 MHz), single-channel DDR4/LPDDR5 memory, and 9 PCIe 3.
0 lanes, targeting fanless mini PCs, Chromebooks, and tablets where every watt counts.
Specifications
Performance
Handles light web browsing and document editing. Any sustained task will cause the processor to throttle below its already modest performance ceiling.
Technically possible with VT-x support, but the 7W power budget and single-channel memory make this impractical.
Not designed for gaming. The 7W power budget severely limits any sustained 3D graphics performance.
Exceptionally efficient. The 7W TDP enables fanless operation and extremely long battery life in tablet and Chromebook form factors.
- •Not designed for gaming
- •7W power budget prevents sustained GPU performance
- •Single-channel memory further limits graphics capability
- •Only suitable for 2D and very basic 3D applications
- •No dedicated AI acceleration
- •AVX-VNNI support exists but performance is minimal at 7W
- •Not suitable for any AI workload
Architecture
10nm (Intel 7)
Process Node
Gracemont
Codename
8C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
7 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-N300 shares the same all-Gracemont architecture as the N305 but is binned and configured for a dramatically lower 7W power envelope. The 8 E-cores are architecturally identical, but power constraints mean they can only sustain peak frequencies for very brief periods before thermal and power limits force throttling.
CPU Design
8 Gracemont E-cores without Hyper-Threading (8 threads). Each core has 96KB L1 cache, shares 2MB L2 per quad-core module (2 modules, 4MB total L2), and all cores share 6MB L3 cache. Fully dynamic clock domains allow each core to operate independently from near-zero to 3.7 GHz.
Memory Subsystem
Single-channel DDR4-3200 or LPDDR5-4800. The single-channel limitation is particularly impactful at this power level, as memory bandwidth becomes a bottleneck for both CPU and iGPU performance.
PCIe & I/O
9 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU. This limited allocation is adequate for a single NVMe SSD and a Wi-Fi module, which is sufficient for the target device category.
Overclocking
Fully locked BGA part with no user tuning options.
Key Highlights
- 7W TDP enables truly fanless designs
- 8 threads provide basic parallel capability
- Full x86 Windows compatibility at tablet-level power
- UHD Graphics 770 at full 1250 MHz clock
- Very low idle power consumption
- Excellent for Chromebook and media streaming use cases
- 7W severely limits sustained performance
- No P-cores means weak single-threaded response
- Single-channel memory halves available bandwidth
- Only 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes
- 6MB L3 cache for 8 cores is lean
- Will feel slow for any non-trivial Windows workload
History
The Core i3-N300 represents the logical conclusion of Intel's E-core scaling experiment within the Alder Lake family. If the N305 asked 'how many E-cores can we put in a 15W envelope,' the N300 asked 'how few watts do 8 E-cores actually need to function?' The answer turned out to be 7W—a figure that places this x86 processor in the same power class as ARM-based tablets.
</br></br>The N300's existence was driven largely by the Chromebook market and the emerging fanless mini PC segment. Chrome OS, with its lightweight Linux foundation and web-centric design, does not demand P-core-level single-threaded performance. An 8-core E-core processor that sips 7W while providing full x86 compatibility for Android apps and Linux containers was an attractive proposition for Chromebook OEMs.
</br></br>In the mini PC space, the N300 enabled a new category of truly silent, pocket-sized Windows PCs. While the Windows experience on an N300 is noticeably sluggish compared to even a basic i3-1215U laptop, the ability to have a zero-noise, 7W x86 computer for under $150 created a market that had not previously existed. Brands like Beelink, Chuwi, and Trigkey built entire product lines around this chip, proving that there is genuine demand for 'good enough' computing at extreme efficiency levels.
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Fanless mini PC or Chromebook purchase where silence, minimal power draw, and adequate basic performance are the primary requirements.
Avoid if…
- Any form of sustained performance is needed
- Running Windows with multiple applications simultaneously
- Gaming or creative work is even a remote consideration
- The device costs more than $200—better options exist above that price
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
At 7W, the i3-N300 operates at a power level closer to ARM tablet processors than traditional laptop CPUs.
Despite the 7W TDP, Intel maintained the same 1250 MHz iGPU dynamic frequency as the 15W N305, suggesting the GPU and CPU are not expected to be fully loaded simultaneously.
The N300 has no configurable TDP listed, meaning its 7W rating is fixed rather than adjustable by OEMs.
The $309 launch price is identical to the N305 despite the lower TDP, which seems counterintuitive but reflects OEM tray pricing rather than consumer value.
With 8 cores at 7W, each E-core effectively operates at under 1W under sustained loads—a remarkable efficiency figure for x86.
The fully dynamic clock domain means there is no traditional base clock; cores can scale from near-zero to 3.7 GHz on demand.
The N300 is one of the few 'Core i3' branded processors that cannot meaningfully run a standard Windows desktop experience smoothly.
Chrome OS is arguably the better operating system for this processor, as its lightweight nature aligns with the N300's capabilities far better than full Windows.
People Also Ask
Is the i3-N300 good for Windows?
It can run Windows, but the experience will feel slow for anything beyond basic web browsing and document editing. Chrome OS is a better match for this processor's capabilities.
What is the difference between i3-N300 and i3-N305?
The N300 has a 7W TDP (vs 15W) and 3.7 GHz boost (vs 3.8 GHz). The N305 is configurable down to 9W. Both have 8 E-cores, 8 threads, and identical iGPU.
Can the i3-N300 run in a fanless device?
Yes, the 7W TDP is low enough for completely fanless operation in properly designed chassis.
Does the i3-N300 have P-cores?
No, it uses only Gracemont E-cores. There are no Performance cores.
Is 7W enough for 8 cores?
The 7W is a sustained power limit. The cores can briefly boost higher but will throttle under sustained multi-core loads. Each core gets less than 1W sustained.
What is the i3-N300 used in?
Primarily Chromebooks, fanless mini PCs, tablets, and thin-client devices.
Does the i3-N300 support dual-channel memory?
No, it only supports single-channel DDR4-3200 or LPDDR5-4800.
Can the i3-N305 handle 4K video?
Yes, the UHD Graphics 770 includes hardware decoders for H.264, HEVC, and VP9 for 4K video playback.
Is the i3-N300 upgradeable?
No, it uses a BGA 1264 package soldered to the device motherboard.
How does the i3-N300 compare to ARM processors?
It offers full x86 compatibility which ARM lacks, but ARM chips like the Snapdragon 7c may match or exceed its efficiency in native ARM workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TDP of the i3-N300?
7W. Unlike the N305, the N300 does not have a configurable TDP range.
What is the boost clock of the i3-N300?
Up to 3.7 GHz on E-cores.
What graphics does the i3-N300 have?
Intel UHD Graphics 770 with 32 Execution Units at 1250 MHz dynamic frequency.
What is the part number for the i3-N300?
The MM number is SRMDS.
Does the i3-N300 support PCIe 4.0?
No, it only supports PCIe 3.0 with 9 lanes.
What is the L3 cache size?
6 MB shared L3 cache.
Does the i3-N300 support Hyper-Threading?
No, Gracemont E-cores do not support Hyper-Threading. 8 cores equal 8 threads.
What is the maximum temperature?
The TJ Max is 105°C.
Can the i3-N300 run Netflix in 4K?
Yes, the UHD Graphics 770 includes hardware video decoders that handle 4K streaming efficiently.
Is the i3-N300 good for a home server?
For very basic file sharing or media serving, it works. The 7W draw is excellent for always-on devices, but single-channel memory and limited PCIe lanes constrain storage performance.