AMD Ryzen 5 8600G vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G and the Intel Core 3 305 represent two distinct approaches to modern computing, with the data showing a clear split between desktop performance and mobile efficiency. The Ryzen 5 8600G, a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor built on Zen 4, dominates the majority of benchmark scenarios, while the Core 3 305, a 6-core, 6-thread mobile chip based on Wildcat Lake, holds specific advantages in single-threaded workloads and prime number calculations. The recorded data shows the AMD processor winning 14 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel chip taking 3.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G is the clear winner in heavily threaded workloads. The database shows a 63.9% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core (21503 vs 13123), a 63.9% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core (9031 vs 5511), and a 63.8% edge in PassMark multithread (25294 vs 15439). This pattern extends to integer math, where the Ryzen 5 8600G scores 77042 against the Intel Core 3 305's 32295, a 138.6% difference, the largest delta in the entire comparison. Data compression also heavily favors AMD, with a 99.7% lead (293306 vs 146857), and random string sorting shows a 99% advantage (35067 vs 17623). The Ryzen 5 8600G also leads in encryption (17181 vs 11019, a 55.9% delta) and extended instructions (22610 vs 13543, a 66.9% delta). This makes it the superior choice for rendering, video encoding, and any parallel compute task.

The Intel Core 3 305 wins in two specific scenarios, both related to single-threaded integer operations. The PassMark single-thread test shows the Intel chip ahead with 3977 against the AMD's 3878, a 2.5% delta. The other win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core 3 305 scores 115 versus the Ryzen 5 8600G's 96, a 16.5% advantage. These results suggest the Intel processor has a slight edge in workloads that rely on a single core's integer throughput without heavy memory bandwidth requirements. The Intel chip also shows a smaller deficit in floating-point math (42284 vs 47919, a 13.3% delta) and physics (1233 vs 1450, a 17.6% delta), indicating that its weaknesses are less pronounced in these areas compared to the massive gaps seen in multi-threaded tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It features 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm Intel process, with no transistor count or die size listed in the database. This node advantage for Intel does not translate into benchmark superiority, as the AMD chip's higher clock speeds and thread count prove more decisive.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 8600G has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Core 3 305 runs at a 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The AMD processor also supports simultaneous multithreading, giving it 12 threads versus the Intel's 6 threads. Cache configurations also diverge. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has a single 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger AMD cache hierarchy, combined with its 12 threads, explains its dominance in multi-threaded benchmarks.

Memory and platform support create a stark contrast. The Ryzen 5 8600G supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but only via a single-channel memory bus, yielding 59.7 GB/s. This bandwidth difference is critical for integrated graphics and memory-intensive workloads. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket AM5 with 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1516 with only 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. Neither supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 5 8600G has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Core 3 305 is locked. The integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD chip uses the Radeon 760M, while the Intel chip uses Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD chip is a desktop-market part, while the Intel chip is a mobile-market part, which is consistent with the Intel chip's 15 W TDP versus the AMD chip's 65 W TDP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G is the superior processor in nearly every measurable category. Its 63.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 138.6% lead in integer math make it the obvious choice for users running multi-threaded applications such as 3D rendering, video editing, or scientific simulations. The dual-channel memory bus and larger cache also give it a significant advantage for any workload that depends on memory bandwidth, including integrated graphics performance. The processor's placement in the 76th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 24089, reinforces its standing as a capable desktop part.

The Intel Core 3 305 is a different class of product, designed for mobile systems where power efficiency is paramount. Its 15 W TDP, compared to the AMD's 65 W, makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops. The data shows it wins in PassMark single-thread (3977 vs 3878) and find prime numbers (115 vs 96), indicating a slight single-thread integer advantage. However, its 6 threads and single-channel memory bus severely limit its multi-core performance. For users prioritizing battery life and light-duty single-threaded tasks, the Core 3 305 has a role, but the overall performance data strongly favors the AMD part for anyone needing sustained compute power.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G scores 21503, which is 63.9% higher than the Intel Core 3 305's 13123.

Q: Where does the Intel Core 3 305 outperform the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G?

A: The Intel chip wins in PassMark single-thread (3977 vs 3878, a 2.5% delta) and PassMark find prime numbers (115 vs 96, a 16.5% delta).

Q: How do the memory buses differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G uses a dual-channel memory bus with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core 3 305 uses a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor supports overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core 3 305 is locked.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has a 65 W TDP, and the Intel Core 3 305 has a 15 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 77042 against the Intel Core 3 305's 32295, a 138.6% delta. This massive gap reflects the AMD chip's 12 threads and higher clock speeds working in concert. The second-largest win is in PassMark data compression, with the AMD scoring 293306 versus 146857, a 99.7% delta. Random string sorting shows a 99% delta (35067 vs 17623), followed by extended instructions at 66.9% (22610 vs 13543).

Across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23), the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G maintains a consistent lead. The multi-core deltas are 63.9% in R15 (2167 vs 1322), 63.9% in R20 (9031 vs 5511), and 63.9% in R23 (21503 vs 13123). The single-core deltas are similarly consistent at 64% in R15 (305 vs 186), 64% in R20 (1274 vs 777), and 63.9% in R23 (3035 vs 1852). PassMark multithread shows a 63.8% delta (25294 vs 15439), and data encryption shows a 55.9% delta (17181 vs 11019).

The Intel Core 3 305's wins are smaller but notable. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3977 versus the AMD's 3878, a 2.5% delta. The find prime numbers test shows a 16.5% delta (115 vs 96). The AMD chip still leads in floating-point math (47919 vs 42284, a 13.3% delta) and physics (1450 vs 1233, a 17.6% delta), but these margins are far smaller than the multi-threaded gaps. The overall pattern is clear: the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G delivers roughly 60-140% more performance in parallel workloads, while the Intel Core 3 305 offers a small single-thread advantage. The database records 3 wins for Intel and 14 for AMD, making the Ryzen 5 8600G the dominant part in this comparison.