AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS and Intel Core 3 305 represent two very different approaches to mobile computing. The AMD part is a high-end, 8-core processor from the 8000 series, built on a 4 nm process with a 45 W TDP, while the Intel Core 3 305 is a more modest, 6-core chip with a 15 W TDP, built on a 3 nm node. The benchmark data reveals a clear performance hierarchy, but the Intel chip manages to secure a few notable wins in specific workloads. This analysis examines the recorded measurements to understand where each processor excels and what the numbers imply for potential use cases.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 41963, compared to 18302 for the Intel Core 3 305. This places the AMD chip in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits in the 72nd percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS dominates in multi-threaded workloads. In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, it scores 25165 against 13123 for the Intel Core 3 305, a difference of 91.8%. The PassMark multithread test shows a similar pattern, with the AMD chip scoring 30378 versus 15439, a difference of 96.8%.

Q: Are there any tests where the Intel Core 3 305 wins?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 3 305 wins three recorded tests. It scores 115 in PassMark find prime numbers, compared to 91 for the AMD chip, a difference of 20.9%. It also edges out the AMD chip in both PassMark single thread and PassMark singlethread tests, scoring 3977 versus 3920, a slight difference of 1.4%.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning it does not support simultaneous multithreading.

Q: How does memory bandwidth differ between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 3 305 supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core 3 305?

A: The launch MSRP of the Intel Core 3 305 is $309. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is the superior processor for almost all compute-intensive tasks. It wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and its victories are often by substantial margins. The AMD chip delivers more than double the performance in integer math, with a score of 103390 against 32295, a difference of 220.1%. It also shows a 151.2% advantage in data compression, scoring 368884 versus 146857. For users running multi-threaded applications, video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation, the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is the clear choice.

The Intel Core 3 305, on the other hand, offers a different value proposition. Its wins in the PassMark single-thread tests, albeit by a slim 1.4% margin, show that it can hold its own in lightly threaded tasks. Its 20.9% advantage in the find prime numbers test suggests a specific strength in certain integer operations. This chip is better suited for workloads that do not scale with many cores and where power efficiency is a priority, given its 15 W TDP. The database shows it performs at a level comparable to an Intel Core i3-14100, with an average score of 18318, which is only 0.1% away from the Core 3 305's score. The AMD chip, by contrast, sits close to an Intel Core i7-14700T, which has an average score of 41914, a 0.1% difference from the Ryzen's 41963.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite of tests provides a consistent picture of the performance gap. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS scores 2536, while the Intel Core 3 305 scores 1322, a difference of 91.8%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 91.9% gap, with scores of 357 and 186 respectively. This pattern repeats across the newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 10569 against 5511, and in R23 multi-core, it scores 25165 against 13123. Both show a 91.8% difference. The single-core results for R20 and R23 show 91.9% and 91.8% differences respectively, with the AMD chip scoring 1491 and 3552, and the Intel chip scoring 777 and 1852.

The PassMark results offer a more varied landscape. The AMD chip shows its largest win in integer math, scoring 103390 versus 32295, a 220.1% difference. Data compression also heavily favors the AMD chip, with a score of 368884 against 146857, a 151.2% difference. Random string sorting shows a 153.5% advantage for the AMD chip, with scores of 44668 and 17623. Extended instructions show a 104.6% difference, with the AMD chip scoring 27714 and the Intel chip scoring 13543. Data encryption shows a 98% difference, with scores of 21820 and 11019. Floating point math is another strong area for the AMD chip, which scores 63490 versus 42284, a 50.2% difference.

The Intel Core 3 305's wins are concentrated in specific areas. In the PassMark find prime numbers test, it scores 115, outpacing the AMD chip's 91, a 20.9% difference. In the single-threaded tests, the Intel chip scores 3977, which is 1.4% higher than the AMD chip's 3920. This is a narrow margin, but it does indicate that the Intel chip has a slight edge in this specific workload. The PassMark physics test is the closest result, with the AMD chip scoring 1430 and the Intel chip scoring 1233, a 16% difference.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD chip has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The TDP also differs significantly, with the AMD chip rated at 45 W and the Intel chip at 15 W.

The cache configurations are distinct. The AMD chip has an L1 cache of 64 KB per core, an L2 cache of 1 MB per core, and a 16 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has an L1 cache of 192 KB, an L2 cache of 2.5 MB, and a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The memory support differs as well. The AMD chip supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Intel chip supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s and does not support ECC memory.

The PCIe configurations are also different. The AMD chip has Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip has Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are different: the AMD chip uses a Radeon 780M, while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The sockets are not interchangeable, with the AMD chip using AMD Socket FP7 and the Intel chip using Intel BGA 1516. The release dates differ, with the AMD chip having a release date of 2024-04-15 and the Intel chip having a release date of 2026-04-15.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is built on the Zen 4 architecture, with the codename Hawk Point. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process node. The chip contains 25,000 million transistors on a die size of 178 mm². The Intel Core 3 305 uses a different design, with the codename Wildcat Lake. It is manufactured by Intel on a 3 nm process node. The database does not list a transistor count or die size for the Intel chip.

The core design philosophies differ. The AMD chip supports simultaneous multithreading, allowing 16 threads across its 8 cores. The Intel chip does not, limiting it to 6 threads across its 6 cores. This explains the large multi-threaded performance gap. The AMD chip also has a significantly larger L3 cache at 16 MB, compared to the 6 MB on the Intel chip. The memory controller on the AMD chip supports dual-channel access with higher bandwidth, while the Intel chip uses a single-channel design. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, a feature not present on the Intel chip. The process node difference, with Intel at 3 nm versus AMD at 4 nm, does not translate into a performance advantage for the Intel chip in the recorded benchmarks, likely due to the lower core count and clock speeds.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins in the vast majority of workloads. Its multi-threaded performance is exceptional, with a 96.8% advantage in PassMark multithread and a 91.8% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The 220.1% lead in integer math suggests strong performance in general computing tasks, while the 151.2% lead in data compression indicates an advantage in file archiving and similar operations. The 104.6% lead in extended instructions points to strengths in cryptography and vectorized code. The 98% lead in data encryption reinforces this. The 50.2% lead in floating point math shows strong capability in scientific and engineering applications. The 153.5% lead in random string sorting suggests an edge in database operations and data processing. The 16% lead in the physics test indicates better performance in simulation workloads.

The Intel Core 3 305 wins in three specific areas. Its 20.9% lead in the find prime numbers test suggests a particular strength in this type of integer workload. The 1.4% lead in both PassMark single thread tests is the most notable win, as it shows the Intel chip can outperform the AMD chip in some single-threaded scenarios, despite the AMD chip having a much higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. This could be due to the Intel chip's lower power draw and different microarchitecture. For users whose primary workloads are single-threaded, such as certain legacy applications or simple office tasks, the Intel chip offers a slight edge. Its 15 W TDP also suggests it may be a better fit for fanless or ultra-portable designs, though the database does not provide thermal or power consumption measurements beyond the TDP figures. The data shows a clear division: the AMD chip is for demanding multi-threaded work, while the Intel chip has narrow but real strengths in specific single-threaded tasks.