AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 and Intel Core 3 305 are both mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but the benchmark data reveals two very different performance profiles. The Ryzen 5 220, built on TSMC's 4 nm process with 20,900 million transistors, delivers a commanding lead in most multithreaded and memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 3 305, fabricated on Intel's 3 nm node, counters with surprising strength in specific math and physics tests. This analysis breaks down the recorded scores to show where each processor holds a definitive edge.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the AMD processor's dominance across Cinebench. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 5 220 scores 1562 against 1322 for the Core 3 305, a margin of 18.2%. That same 18% gap appears in Cinebench R20 multicore (6510 vs 5511) and Cinebench R23 multicore (15502 vs 13123). Single-core Cinebench results tell the same story: R15 shows 220 vs 186 (18.3% lead), R20 shows 918 vs 777 (18.1% lead), and R23 shows 2188 vs 1852 (18.1% lead). The consistency of that 18% delta across all six Cinebench tests points to a fundamental throughput advantage, not a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark integer math delivers the largest win for the AMD chip. The Ryzen 5 220 scores 57987 while the Core 3 305 manages only 32295, a 79.6% advantage. That is a massive gap, and it reflects the AMD processor's 12 threads versus the Intel part's 6 threads, plus the Ryzen's larger shared L3 cache of 16 MB against Intel's 6 MB. Data compression also favors AMD heavily: 212739 vs 146857, a 44.9% lead. Random string sorting shows a similar 44.3% advantage (25433 vs 17623). Multithread performance in PassMark lands at 18582 for the Ryzen 5 220 versus 15439 for the Core 3 305, a 20.4% lead. Data encryption goes to AMD by 13.4% (12493 vs 11019), and extended instructions by 14.5% (15512 vs 13543).

The Intel Core 3 305 does win five of the seventeen recorded tests, and those wins are concentrated in specific PassMark sub-tests. Prime number searching shows Intel ahead at 115 vs 65, a 43.5% margin. Floating point math favors Intel at 42284 vs 35500, a 16% lead. Physics simulation also goes to Intel at 1233 vs 983, a 20.3% advantage. PassMark single-thread performance shows Intel at 3977 vs 3646, an 8.3% edge. That single-thread win is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench single-core results, where AMD leads by about 18%. The discrepancy likely comes from different instruction mixes: Cinebench favors AMD's Zen 4 architecture, while PassMark's single-thread test better suits Intel's design.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear overall winner in the AMD Ryzen 5 220. It wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests, and its victories include the largest margins. The average benchmark score for the Ryzen 5 220 is 22289, which places it at the 75th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 3 305 sits at 18302 on average, the 72nd percentile. The Ryzen also compares favorably to its nearest rivals: it is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-10700K and 1.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, while trailing the Intel Core i5-13500H by 0.8%. The Core 3 305 sits effectively level with the Intel Core i3-14100, just 0.1% behind it.

For buyers who prioritize overall throughput, content creation, or any workload that scales with threads, the Ryzen 5 220 is the stronger pick. Its 12 threads and larger cache deliver consistent leads across rendering, compression, and integer workloads. The Core 3 305 is not without merit: its wins in prime number searching, floating point math, physics simulation, and single-thread PassMark mean it handles certain scientific or math-heavy tasks better. But those five wins come with narrower margins in some cases and do not offset the AMD processor's broad dominance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 is the choice for multithreaded productivity. Cinebench R23 multicore at 15502 versus 13123 shows a substantial lead in 3D rendering. Integer math at 79.6% ahead makes it superior for financial modeling, data processing, or any code that relies on integer operations. Data compression and random string sorting, both around 44% ahead, favor database work, file archiving, and text processing. Encryption tasks run 13.4% faster on the AMD chip, useful for VPNs, disk encryption, or secure communications.

The Intel Core 3 305 wins in four specific PassMark categories. Prime number searching at 115 vs 65 gives it a 43.5% edge, which matters for cryptography, hashing, or mathematical research workloads. Floating point math at 42284 vs 35500 means it handles simulation, scientific computing, or audio processing with more raw FP throughput. Physics simulation at 1233 vs 983 (20.3% ahead) suggests better performance in physics engines for certain games or engineering tools. PassMark single-thread at 3977 vs 3646 gives it a modest lead in lightly threaded applications that do not rely on Cinebench's specific instruction patterns.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 12 threads (6 cores with simultaneous multithreading), while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 threads (6 cores without hyper-threading).

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 scores 15502, and the Core 3 305 scores 13123. The AMD processor leads by 18.1%.

Q: In which test does the Intel Core 3 305 have the largest advantage?

A: The largest Intel win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 115 versus 65 for the AMD chip, a 43.5% lead.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 has an average benchmark score of 22289, and the Core 3 305 has an average of 18302. The AMD processor sits at the 75th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits at the 72nd percentile.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 305 have better single-thread performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread, yes. The Core 3 305 scores 3977 against 3646 for the Ryzen 5 220, an 8.3% lead. However, in all three Cinebench single-core tests, the AMD processor leads by roughly 18%.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 305 boosts to 4.30 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 uses Zen 4 architecture on TSMC's 4 nm process node, with a die size of 137 mm² and 20,900 million transistors. Its codename is Hawk Point. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on Intel's 3 nm process node, and the database records no transistor count or die size for it.

Cache organization differs substantially. The Ryzen 5 220 allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of total L1, 2.5 MB of total L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's larger L3 cache likely contributes to its strong performance in data compression and integer math, where repeated access to working sets benefits from more cache.

Memory architecture also diverges. The Ryzen 5 220 supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but runs single-channel, capping bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s. That 50% bandwidth deficit explains some of the AMD processor's lead in memory-intensive benchmarks like random string sorting and data compression. PCIe connectivity differs too: the Ryzen 5 220 provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes, while the Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with only 6 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 5 220 uses Radeon 740M, and the Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The database records no benchmark scores for either iGPU, so a direct comparison is not possible from the available data.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 runs at a base clock of 3.20 GHz and boosts to 4.90 GHz, with a TDP of 28 watts. The Intel Core 3 305 runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, with a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel part consumes significantly less power, which matters for fanless designs or ultra-thin laptops, but it also starts at a much lower base frequency.

Socket compatibility is entirely separate. The Ryzen 5 220 uses AMD Socket FP8, while the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516. Neither processor is upgradeable in a typical laptop, but the sockets are not interchangeable.

Memory support shows another split. The Ryzen 5 220 supports DDR5 only, in dual-channel configuration. The Core 3 305 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only in single-channel mode. The Intel part's ability to use LPDDR5X could enable lower power memory in thin designs, though its bandwidth remains lower than the AMD part's dual-channel DDR5.

PCIe lane counts differ: 14 lanes for the AMD processor versus 6 lanes for the Intel processor, both Gen 4. This limits the Intel part's ability to drive multiple Gen 4 NVMe drives or high-end discrete GPUs. The Ryzen 5 220 also has a higher boost clock by 0.60 GHz, which helps explain its consistent lead in Cinebench single-core tests. The Intel Core 3 305 carries a launch MSRP of $309; the database records no launch MSRP for the Ryzen 5 220. Both processors are marked as active production, mobile segment parts, and both have locked multipliers.