AMD Ryzen 5 240 vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into distinct personalities. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 wins 9 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 305 takes 6. However, the margin of victory tells a more important story than the raw win count. AMD's wins are often overwhelming, while Intel's are narrower.

The largest gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen 5 240 scores 73,189 against the Core 3 305's 32,295, a delta of 126.6%. This is the single biggest differentiator in the entire comparison. The Ryzen also dominates random string sorting with 32,385 versus 17,623, an 83.8% advantage. Data compression follows a similar pattern: 267,963 versus 146,857, a 82.5% lead. Extended instructions show a 49.2% gap (20,201 versus 13,543), and multi-threaded PassMark shows 46.8% (22,658 versus 15,439). Data encryption adds another 43.8% win for AMD (15,849 versus 11,019).

Cinebench R15 multicore confirms the multi-threaded trend: the Ryzen 5 240 posts 2,078 versus 1,322, a 57.2% advantage. Single-core R15 also favors AMD by 45.2% (270 versus 186).

Intel's wins are concentrated in a few specific areas. The most notable is PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 3 305 scores 115 versus 70, a 39.1% lead for Intel. PassMark physics also goes to Intel: 1,233 versus 1,060, a 14% edge. In PassMark single-thread, Intel leads 3,977 versus 3,675, a 7.6% margin. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 5.9% Intel lead (1,852 versus 1,742), and R23 multicore is nearly tied, with Intel ahead by just 0.8% (13,123 versus 13,013).

The R23 multicore result is striking. Despite AMD's enormous lead in R15 multicore and PassMark multithread, the two processors land almost exactly level in R23 multicore. This suggests the Intel chip scales differently across workloads, with its advantage appearing in specific instruction patterns rather than general thread throughput.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 240 is the clear choice for compute-heavy parallel workloads. Its wins in integer math, data compression, random string sorting, encryption, and extended instructions point to strong general-purpose processing capability. The 126.6% integer math lead is particularly relevant for any workload that relies on arithmetic operations, such as code compilation, spreadsheet calculations, or scientific simulations. The 82.5% compression advantage matters for file archiving, database operations, and any application that moves large data volumes. Multi-threaded PassMark at 46.8% ahead confirms that the Ryzen's 12 threads deliver substantially more parallel throughput than the Intel's 6 threads.

The Core 3 305 wins in single-threaded responsiveness and specific algorithmic tasks. The 39.1% lead in prime number finding indicates superior integer division or modular arithmetic efficiency. The 14% physics win suggests better handling of rigid-body or particle-style calculations, which often rely on specific math patterns. Single-thread PassMark at 7.6% ahead and R23 single-core at 5.9% ahead show a modest but consistent single-thread edge. The near-tie in R23 multicore (Intel ahead by 0.8%) indicates that in some modern multi-threaded render tests, the Intel chip can match AMD despite having half the threads.

For users prioritizing single-core latency, the Core 3 305 has a small but measurable advantage. For users prioritizing parallel throughput, the Ryzen 5 240 is dramatically faster in most measured scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 4.30 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core 3 305 uses Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process from Intel. It also has 6 cores but only 6 threads, with a much lower base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The lower base clock explains why the Intel chip consumes less power (15 W TDP versus 45 W TDP), but the boost clock difference of 0.70 GHz is notable.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 240 has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel Core 3 305 has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. The AMD chip's larger L3 cache likely contributes to its compression and sorting wins, as those workloads benefit from keeping larger working sets in cache.

Memory support differs as well. The Ryzen 5 240 supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, providing 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but uses a single-channel memory bus, delivering 59.7 GB/s. The memory bandwidth difference of 29.9 GB/s (approximately 33% less for Intel) aligns with the AMD chip's advantages in data-heavy workloads.

PCIe connectivity also differs: the Ryzen 5 240 provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with just 6 lanes (CPU only). This gives AMD more headroom for external devices like GPUs or storage. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The Ryzen 5 240 integrates a Radeon 760M GPU, while the Intel Core 3 305 integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

The Intel chip uses a BGA 1516 socket, while AMD uses Socket FP8. The Ryzen 5 240 was released on 2025-01-05, while the Intel Core 3 305 has a release date of 2026-04-15. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $309.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split decision. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 is the superior processor for multi-threaded throughput, data manipulation, and memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks. It leads by double digits in integer math, compression, sorting, encryption, extended instructions, and multithread PassMark. Its 12 threads and dual-channel memory provide a structural advantage that shows across most benchmarks.

The Intel Core 3 305 wins in single-thread responsiveness and specific algorithmic workloads. Its prime number finding lead of 39.1% and physics lead of 14% indicate that certain computation patterns favor its design. The near-tie in Cinebench R23 multicore (Intel ahead by 0.8%) shows that Intel's architecture can hold its own in some modern render tests despite having half the threads.

The overall average benchmark score tells a similar story: the Ryzen 5 240 averages 33,542, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 305 averages 18,302, in the 72nd percentile. The Ryzen's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (within 0%), the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS (0.4% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX (0.4% behind). The Intel's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-14100 (0.1% ahead), indicating it competes at a lower performance tier.

For sustained multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 5 240 is the clear winner. For power-constrained scenarios where single-thread latency matters most, the Core 3 305 has a narrower but real edge. The 45 W TDP of the AMD chip versus 15 W TDP of the Intel chip suggests the Intel part is aimed at more power-efficient designs, while the AMD part targets performance-oriented mobile systems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has 12 threads across 6 cores, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 threads across 6 cores. The Ryzen supports simultaneous multithreading; the Intel chip does not.

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 edges out the AMD Ryzen 5 240 by 0.8%, scoring 13,123 versus 13,013. This is the closest result in the entire comparison.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: PassMark integer math shows the biggest difference, with the AMD Ryzen 5 240 scoring 73,189 versus 32,295 for the Intel Core 3 305, a 126.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 leads in PassMark single-thread (3,977 versus 3,675, a 7.6% edge) and in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,852 versus 1,742, a 5.9% edge). However, the AMD Ryzen 5 240 leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 45.2%.

Q: How do their memory bandwidths compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 3 305 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 305 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. AMD's base clock is also higher at 4.30 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 240 | Intel Core 3 305 |

|----------------|-----------------|------------------|

| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 6 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $309 |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | Not recorded |