AMD Ryzen 5 230 vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 and Intel Core 3 305 are both active mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a substantial performance gap that favors the AMD part in most workloads. The Ryzen 5 230 secures 12 wins across the head-to-head suite, while the Intel Core 3 305 takes 5. The average benchmark score for the AMD processor is 25,782, placing it in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Intel chip scores 18,302 on average, landing in the 72nd percentile. This difference in overall standing is reflected in the specific test results, where the AMD part often leads by double-digit percentages.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victories for the AMD Ryzen 5 230 come in compute-heavy tasks. In the PassMark integer math test, the AMD processor scores 67,257 compared to the Intel Core 3 305's 32,295, a massive 108.3% advantage. This indicates a fundamental throughput advantage in arithmetic operations. Data compression also heavily favors AMD, with a score of 218,588 versus 146,857, a 48.8% lead. Random string sorting shows a similar pattern, with AMD ahead by 47.6% (26,019 versus 17,623).

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern of AMD dominance across all versions and core counts. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 5 230 scores 1,799 against Intel's 1,322, a 36.1% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a 36% advantage (253 versus 186). This trend continues in Cinebench R20, where multicore performance is 36.1% higher (7,499 versus 5,511) and single-core is 36.2% higher (1,058 versus 777). Cinebench R23 results confirm the pattern: 17,857 versus 13,123 in multicore, a 36.1% difference, and 2,521 versus 1,852 in single-core, also a 36.1% difference.

The AMD processor also wins in PassMark multithread, scoring 19,411 against 15,439, a 25.7% improvement. Data encryption favors AMD by 20.5% (13,280 versus 11,019), and extended instructions see AMD ahead by 15.3% (15,618 versus 13,543).

The Intel Core 3 305, however, posts notable wins in specific areas. Its most significant victory is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 115 versus AMD's 66, a 42.6% advantage. It also leads in PassMark physics, scoring 1,233 against 958, a 22.3% margin. In floating point math, Intel is ahead by 7.8% (42,284 versus 38,993). Finally, in PassMark single-thread performance, the Intel chip scores 3,977 versus 3,558, a 10.5% lead. These results indicate that while AMD dominates aggregate throughput, the Intel processor has strengths in specific instruction patterns and single-threaded scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Hawk Point, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. Both processors have 6 cores, but the AMD part supports 12 threads through simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part has 6 threads, indicating no hyper-threading.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The AMD base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel part has a much lower base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost of 4.30 GHz. The AMD processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 28 watts, while the Intel chip is rated at 15 watts.

Cache configurations are also distinct. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 305 has 192 KB of total L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part uses a dual-channel DDR5 memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but operates on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD processor supports Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part supports Gen 4 with only 6 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses the Radeon 760M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 is the clear choice for multithreaded and integer-heavy workloads. Its 12 threads, higher cache capacity, and dual-channel memory give it a commanding lead in integer math, data compression, and random string sorting. The Cinebench results across R15, R20, and R23 confirm that both multicore and single-core rendering tasks benefit from the AMD architecture, with consistent 36% leads. For users running compilation, data processing, or 3D rendering, the data strongly favors the AMD processor. Its 108.3% lead in integer math is the largest gap in the entire benchmark suite.

The Intel Core 3 305 wins in a narrower set of scenarios. Its 42.6% advantage in finding prime numbers suggests a strength in single-threaded loop-based calculations that do not scale with additional threads. The 22.3% lead in physics simulation and 7.8% lead in floating point math indicate that certain scientific or simulation workloads may run better on the Intel part. The 10.5% lead in single-thread PassMark performance is notable for lightly threaded applications. However, these wins are concentrated in specific test types, and the Intel processor loses the overall multithread test by 25.7% and the integer math test by a wide margin.

The memory bandwidth difference also favors AMD in memory-intensive tasks. The dual-channel 89.6 GB/s bus versus the single-channel 59.7 GB/s bus likely contributes to the substantial leads in data compression and random string sorting, where memory throughput is critical. The Intel part's lower TDP of 15 watts compared to 28 watts may indicate a power efficiency advantage, but the benchmark data does not include power consumption measurements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 230 has an average benchmark score of 25,782, while the Intel Core 3 305 scores 18,302. The AMD part also ranks in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 72nd percentile for Intel.

Q: How do the processors compare in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 230 scores 17,857, which is 36.1% higher than the Intel Core 3 305's 13,123. Similar leads appear in Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore tests, both showing a 36.1% advantage for AMD.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 305 win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins 5 tests. Its largest win is in finding prime numbers, where it scores 115 versus 66, a 42.6% advantage. It also leads in physics (1,233 versus 958), floating point math (42,284 versus 38,993), and single-thread PassMark (3,977 versus 3,558).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both have 6 cores. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 has 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 threads. This means the AMD part can handle twice as many concurrent threads.

Q: How does memory support differ between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 230 uses a dual-channel DDR5 bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but uses a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 230 features the Radeon 760M, while the Intel Core 3 305 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The benchmark data does not include graphics performance tests.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 leads in 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench versions and the PassMark multithread test. Its 108.3% lead in integer math and 48.8% lead in data compression demonstrate a decisive advantage in computational throughput. The AMD processor is also the higher-performing part overall, with an average score of 25,782 versus 18,302, and a higher percentile ranking of 78 against 72.

The Intel Core 3 305 has specific strengths in single-threaded PassMark performance (3,977 versus 3,558), physics simulation, and prime number calculation. These wins suggest it may handle certain single-threaded or floating-point-heavy tasks with greater efficiency. Its lower 15-watt TDP and 3 nm process also differentiate it physically from the AMD part, but the recorded benchmarks do not show a corresponding performance advantage in most workloads.

For users prioritizing raw compute, multithreaded tasks, or memory-intensive operations, the data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 230. For workloads that rely on the specific instruction patterns where the Intel part excels, such as prime number searches or certain physics calculations, the Intel Core 3 305 demonstrates measurable advantages. The overall average scores and the breadth of AMD's wins make the Ryzen 5 230 the stronger choice in the majority of scenarios represented by this benchmark data.