Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a decisive performance hierarchy between these two Intel mobile processors. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 3 305, with zero wins for the latter. The average benchmark score for the Arc G3 EXTREME is 36699, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. The Core 3 305 averages 18302, which puts it in the 72nd percentile. The performance gap is substantial, with the Arc G3 EXTREME delivering roughly double the throughput in most multi-threaded workloads.

The Arc G3 EXTREME targets users who need serious multi-core muscle in a mobile package. Its 14 cores and 14 threads, combined with an 18 MB shared L3 cache, make it suitable for content creation, data processing, and other demanding workloads. The Core 3 305, with its 6 cores and 6 threads, serves lighter duties where single-threaded responsiveness and efficiency matter more. Its smaller footprint and lower power envelope make it a candidate for thin-and-light systems. The data does not support the Core 3 305 for heavy parallel workloads; its multi-core scores trail by margins ranging from 11.7% to 120.4% depending on the test.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's 3 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel. The Arc G3 EXTREME comes from the Panther Lake generation, while the Core 3 305 belongs to the Wildcat Lake generation. The Arc G3 EXTREME packs 14 cores with 14 threads, meaning no hyper-threading is enabled. The Core 3 305 offers 6 cores and 6 threads, also without hyper-threading. This core count disparity drives most of the performance separation.

Cache hierarchies differ markedly. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, as well as an 18 MB shared L3 cache. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache and 2.5 MB of L2 cache, but only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. That threefold difference in shared cache gives the Arc G3 EXTREME a substantial advantage in workloads that repeatedly access large data sets.

The integrated graphics also diverge. The Arc G3 EXTREME includes Arc B390 graphics, whereas the Core 3 305 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The memory controllers differ: the Arc G3 EXTREME uses dual-channel LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Core 3 305 uses single-channel memory supporting both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, capped at 59.7 GB/s. That bandwidth gap of roughly 2.3 times explains part of the multi-threaded performance difference.

PCIe connectivity also separates the two. The Arc G3 EXTREME provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe generation on the Arc G3 EXTREME offers higher per-lane bandwidth, although the Core 3 305 has more lanes available. Socket configurations differ as well: the Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540, and the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516, so they are not interchangeable in a given chassis.

Where Each One Wins

The Arc G3 EXTREME wins across every single measured workload in the database, but the magnitude of those wins varies greatly. The largest advantages appear in integer math, data encryption, and prime number finding. The Arc G3 EXTREME leads integer math by 120.4%, data encryption by 116.7%, and prime number generation by 115.7%. These workloads scale almost linearly with core count and memory bandwidth, so the 14-core design with dual-channel memory dominates the 6-core single-channel part.

Data compression shows a 109.1% advantage for the Arc G3 EXTREME, while floating-point math trails slightly at 105.6%. Random string sorting shows an 111.8% lead. Physics calculations show a 104% advantage. Extended instruction workloads show a 77.3% lead. The multi-threaded PassMark score shows a 98.6% advantage, and the Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a 98.6% lead as well.

The closest margins appear in single-threaded tests. The Arc G3 EXTREME leads Cinebench R23 single-core by just 0.5%, and PassMark single-thread by 7.9%. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 43.5% lead, while Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 98.8% lead. This suggests that the two processors have comparable single-thread capability in some workloads, but the Arc G3 EXTREME pulls ahead decisively when sustained multi-threaded execution or memory bandwidth comes into play.

The Core 3 305 finds its best relative footing in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it trails by only 11.7%. It also stays close in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the gap narrows to 0.5%. For users whose workloads consist primarily of short, single-threaded bursts, the Core 3 305 may be sufficient. However, the data shows no workload in which the Core 3 305 actually wins, so any claim of superiority for the Core 3 305 would contradict the recorded measurements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Arc G3 EXTREME also has a larger shared L3 cache at 18 MB versus 6 MB.

Q: How much faster is the Arc G3 EXTREME in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME scores 14655 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Core 3 305 scores 13123. That represents an 11.7% advantage for the Arc G3 EXTREME, the narrowest multi-core gap between the two.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME supports dual-channel LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core 3 305 supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540, while the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516. They are not socket-compatible.

Q: Which processor has better single-threaded performance?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME wins all single-threaded tests, but the margins vary. It leads Cinebench R23 single-core by only 0.5% (1862 versus 1852) and PassMark single-thread by 7.9% (4293 versus 3977). In Cinebench R15 single-core, the lead is 43.5% (267 versus 186).

Q: What is the production status of these processors?

A: Both are listed as Active in the database. The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309. The Arc G3 EXTREME has no launch MSRP recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite reveals a widening gap as workload intensity increases. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 2192 versus 1322 for the Core 3 305, a 65.8% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 10945 versus 5511, a 98.6% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 14655 versus 13123, an 11.7% lead. The R23 result is notable because it shows the smallest multi-core gap, suggesting that the R23 workload may be less sensitive to memory bandwidth and core count than the R15 and R20 versions.

Single-core Cinebench results show a different pattern. In R15, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 267 versus 186, a 43.5% lead. In R20, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 1545 versus 777, a 98.8% lead. In R23, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 1862 versus 1852, a mere 0.5% lead. The R23 single-core result indicates that the two processors have nearly identical single-thread capability under that specific workload, while the R15 and R20 results suggest otherwise. The discrepancy likely stems from different instruction mixes and memory access patterns in each Cinebench version.

PassMark results consistently favor the Arc G3 EXTREME by large margins. Data compression shows 307094 versus 146857, a 109.1% lead. Data encryption shows 23881 versus 11019, a 116.7% lead. Extended instructions show 24017 versus 13543, a 77.3% lead. Prime number finding shows 248 versus 115, a 115.7% lead. Floating-point math shows 86929 versus 42284, a 105.6% lead. Integer math shows 71164 versus 32295, a 120.4% lead. The multi-threaded PassMark score shows 30659 versus 15439, a 98.6% lead. Physics shows 2515 versus 1233, a 104% lead. Random string sorting shows 37331 versus 17623, an 111.8% lead. Single-thread PassMark shows 4293 versus 3977, a 7.9% lead.

The integer math result represents the largest single advantage in the entire dataset at 120.4%. Data encryption at 116.7% and prime number finding at 115.7% follow closely. These workloads benefit strongly from the Arc G3 EXTREME's higher core count, larger shared L3 cache, and dual-channel memory bandwidth. The Core 3 305 cannot compensate for its 6-core configuration and single-channel memory in these throughput-oriented tasks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks differ: the Arc G3 EXTREME runs at 1.90 GHz, while the Core 3 305 runs at 1.50 GHz. Boost clocks also differ: 4.70 GHz for the Arc G3 EXTREME versus 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 305. Thermal design power differs, with the Arc G3 EXTREME rated at 25 W and the Core 3 305 rated at 15 W.

Cache capacities differ in the L3 tier: 18 MB shared for the Arc G3 EXTREME versus 6 MB shared for the Core 3 305. L1 and L2 cache are the same on a per-core basis, 192 KB and 2.5 MB respectively, but the Arc G3 EXTREME has more cores, so total L1 and L2 capacity is higher. Memory support differs: the Arc G3 EXTREME supports only LPDDR5X, while the Core 3 305 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bus width differs: dual-channel for the Arc G3 EXTREME versus single-channel for the Core 3 305. Memory bandwidth differs substantially: 136.5 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s.

PCIe support differs in both generation and lane count. The Arc G3 EXTREME provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes, while the Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Arc B390 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. Sockets differ: Intel BGA 2540 versus Intel BGA 1516. The codenames differ: Panther Lake versus Wildcat Lake. The Arc G3 EXTREME has part number SA4R3, while the Core 3 305 has part number SAE3L. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates differ: the Arc G3 EXTREME released on 2026-05-27, while the Core 3 305 released on 2026-04-15. The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309; the Arc G3 EXTREME has none recorded. Both processors are Active in production status and target the Mobile market segment. Neither supports ECC memory.