AMD Ryzen 3 2300X vs Intel Core i3-N305 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-N305 and AMD Ryzen 3 2300X are two very different processors that end up in a surprisingly close overall contest. The i3-N305, a mobile chip with eight efficiency cores, takes the majority of benchmark wins, while the Ryzen 3 2300X, an older desktop quad-core, strikes back decisively in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test and Geekbench single-core. The data shows a clear split: the Intel chip dominates older Cinebench versions and Geekbench multi-core, while the AMD chip wins the most modern multi-core workload and a key single-threaded test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i3-N305 wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X wins 2.

Q: How big is the Intel chip's win in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The i3-N305 scores 829 versus 649 for the Ryzen 3 2300X, a 27.7% advantage.

Q: What is the largest single victory for the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 2300X scores 6443 against the i3-N305's 5092, a 21% margin.

Q: Are these processors similar in overall performance?

A: Yes, their average benchmark scores are very close: 1979 for the Intel i3-N305 and 1968 for the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X, and both sit at the 44th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Do both chips have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i3-N305 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each?

A: The Intel Core i3-N305 uses Intel BGA 1264, and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X uses AMD Socket AM4.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-N305 is built on a 10 nm process and uses the Gracemont architecture, featuring 8 cores and 8 threads. This is a mobile-focused design with a 15 W TDP, soldered to an Intel BGA 1264 socket. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 6 MB of shared L3. The chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a single-channel configuration, providing 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. It also includes integrated UHD Graphics 770 and offers Gen 3 PCIe with 9 CPU lanes.

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X is a desktop part from the 2000 series, using the Zen (Pinnacle Ridge) architecture on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, a 65 W TDP, and fits into the AMD Socket AM4. The cache setup is different: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. It only supports DDR4 memory but through a dual-channel bus, achieving a higher 46.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The chip has no integrated graphics, features 16 Gen 3 PCIe lanes, and its multiplier is unlocked. Its die size is 213 mm² with 4,800 million transistors.

A key architectural difference is the core count and power envelope: the Intel chip doubles the core count at a fraction of the TDP, while the AMD chip relies on higher clock speeds and a more power-hungry design. The Intel chip's single-channel memory bus is a notable bottleneck compared to the AMD chip's dual-channel support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a fascinating reversal between older and newer test versions. The Intel Core i3-N305 dominates the Cinebench R15 and R20 suites. In R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 829 versus 649 for AMD, a 27.7% lead. The single-core R15 test is even more lopsided, with Intel scoring 164.7 against AMD's 91, an 81% advantage. Moving to R20, Intel again leads in multi-core with 3349 versus 2706 (23.8% ahead) and in single-core with 472 versus 381 (23.9% ahead).

However, the trend flips in Cinebench R23. Here, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X takes the multi-core test with a score of 6443, beating the Intel chip's 5092 by 21%. This is the largest margin of victory for either side in any test. In R23 single-core, Intel wins again, but by a much smaller 9.5% margin, scoring 995 versus 909.

The Geekbench results are split as well. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel i3-N305 scores 3881, a 15.8% advantage over the Ryzen 3 2300X's 3351. But in Geekbench single-core, the AMD chip wins with 1216 versus 1049, a 13.7% margin in its favor. The overall pattern suggests the Intel chip is stronger in most workloads, but the AMD chip's wins are substantial, particularly in the most recent Cinebench multi-core test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i3-N305 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has 4 cores and 4 threads. The base clock is 100.00 MHz for Intel and 3.50 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 3.80 GHz and 4.00 GHz respectively. TDP is a massive difference: 15 W for Intel versus 65 W for AMD.

The process node favors Intel at 10 nm versus AMD's 12 nm. The cache structures differ significantly: Intel uses 2 MB of L2 per module and 6 MB of shared L3, while AMD uses 512 KB of L2 per core and 4 MB of shared L3. Memory support shows Intel offering DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD only supports DDR4. The memory bus is single-channel for Intel and dual-channel for AMD, with bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s.

PCIe capabilities also differ: Intel has Gen 3 with 9 lanes, AMD has Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 770, while AMD has none. The market segment is mobile for Intel and desktop for AMD. The Intel chip has a locked multiplier, while the AMD chip is unlocked. The release dates are January 2023 for Intel and September 2018 for AMD. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $309.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core i3-N305 is the more versatile processor for most tasks, winning 6 out of 8 head-to-head comparisons. Its wins are concentrated in older Cinebench tests and Geekbench multi-core, where its 8 cores provide a distinct advantage. The 81% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core is particularly striking, showing that even in single-threaded workloads, the Intel chip can outperform the AMD chip by a wide margin in some tests.

However, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X should not be dismissed. Its 21% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the single largest margin of victory in the entire comparison, and it also wins Geekbench single-core by 13.7%. This suggests that in more modern multi-threaded rendering or in specific single-threaded tasks, the AMD chip has the edge. The AMD chip's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz and dual-channel memory bandwidth likely contribute to these wins.

For users choosing between them, the data points to the Intel i3-N305 as the default pick for general use and most benchmark scenarios. But for workloads that specifically stress Cinebench R23 multi-core or Geekbench single-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X offers superior performance. The Intel chip's 15 W TDP also makes it the clear choice for power-constrained environments, while the AMD chip's unlocked multiplier appeals to those seeking manual overclocking.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-N305 is the winner in the majority of tested scenarios. It wins all Cinebench R15 and R20 tests, both multi-core and single-core versions. It also takes Cinebench R23 single-core and Geekbench multi-core. This makes it the better option for older software and benchmarks, as well as for multi-threaded Geekbench workloads. Its 8-core configuration and integrated graphics make it a capable all-rounder for mobile systems, despite its single-channel memory limitation.

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X wins in exactly two areas, but they are significant. First, it wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a 21% margin, which is the most modern and demanding Cinebench version in the data. This suggests it handles current multi-threaded rendering loads better. Second, it wins Geekbench single-core, which is a common measure of everyday application responsiveness. Its dual-channel memory and higher boost clock likely drive these wins, making it the better choice for those specific tasks, especially in a desktop environment where power consumption is less of a concern.