Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

Intel Core 3 201E and Intel Core 3 305 are two active Intel processors aimed at different market segments. The 201E is a desktop part built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the 305 is a mobile processor from the Wildcat Lake family. Benchmark data from the database reveals a clear split in workload strengths, with the 305 winning the majority of head-to-head tests, but the 201E claiming decisive victories in specific compute-heavy tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the comparison is the PassMark integer math test. The Intel Core 3 201E scores 43894, while the Intel Core 3 305 scores 32295. This represents a 35.9% advantage for the 201E, the largest margin in either direction across all recorded tests. The data shows that the desktop chip's integer processing capabilities are substantially stronger, which can impact workloads such as general productivity and database operations.

In contrast, the 305 dominates in floating-point math. Its score of 42284 is 21.3% higher than the 201E's 33260. This advantage extends to the PassMark extended instructions test, where the 305 scores 13543 versus 11035, a difference of 18.5%. The 305 also leads in data encryption, scoring 11019 against 8931, an 18.9% gap. These results indicate that the mobile processor has a more capable execution engine for certain types of arithmetic and cryptographic workloads.

The 305's single-thread performance is notably higher. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3977 compared to the 201E's 3482, a 12.4% lead. The Cinebench single-core results confirm this pattern, with the 305 scoring 186 in R15, 777 in R20, and 1852 in R23, versus the 201E's 179, 747, and 1780 respectively. Each of these single-core deltas sits at approximately 3.9% in favor of the 305.

Multi-threaded rendering benchmarks also favor the 305, albeit by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 305 scores 13123, which is 3.9% ahead of the 201E's 12613. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar gap, with scores of 5511 and 5297 respectively. The PassMark multithread test reinforces this trend, with the 305 scoring 15439 versus 14839, again a 3.9% difference.

There are two more wins for the 201E beyond integer math and random string sorting. The PassMark data compression score for the 201E is 164160, which is 11.8% higher than the 305's 146857. The random string sorting test is nearly a tie, with the 201E scoring 17783 and the 305 scoring 17623, a marginal 0.9% edge for the desktop chip.

The 305 also wins the PassMark physics test, scoring 1233 against 1141, a 7.5% margin. In the find prime numbers test, the 305 scores 115, which is 50.4% higher than the 201E's 57. This is the largest relative win for the 305, though both scores are low in absolute terms. The overall tally stands at 14 wins for the 305 and 3 wins for the 201E across the 17 recorded benchmarks.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core 3 305 delivers higher performance in most measured scenarios, particularly in single-threaded tasks, floating-point arithmetic, and multi-core rendering. Its consistent 3.9% lead across all Cinebench versions suggests a broad efficiency advantage in both single and multi-threaded workloads. The 305 also shows strong gains in encryption and extended instruction processing, making it the better choice for users who prioritize those operations.

The Intel Core 3 201E is the clear winner in integer math and data compression. The 35.9% gap in integer math is substantial, and the 11.8% lead in compression indicates that this desktop processor handles those specific tasks with notably higher throughput. For workloads that rely heavily on integer operations, such as certain types of data processing or legacy software, the 201E may be the more effective part.

The average benchmark score places the 201E at 19056 and the 305 at 18302. The 201E sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, while the 305 is at the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the 201E include the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS with an average score of 19047 and a delta of 0%, and the Intel Core i5-12400F at 19039 with a 0.1% delta. The 305's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-14100, which shows an average score of 18318 and a delta of -0.1%. These figures place both processors in similar overall performance tiers despite their very different physical designs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 leads in all single-core tests. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3977 versus 3482 for the 201E, a 12.4% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core also shows the 305 ahead at 1852 versus 1780, a 3.9% difference.

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

A: The 305 wins every multi-core Cinebench test. In R23 multi-core, it scores 13123 compared to 12613 for the 201E. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar 3.9% gap, with the 305 at 5511 and the 201E at 5297.

Q: Where does the Intel Core 3 201E have its biggest advantage?

A: The 201E's largest win is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 43894 against the 305's 32295, a 35.9% margin. It also leads in data compression with a score of 164160 versus 146857, an 11.8% advantage.

Q: What is the performance gap in data encryption?

A: The 305 is significantly faster in encryption. It scores 11019 in PassMark data encryption, while the 201E scores 8931. This is an 18.9% difference in favor of the 305.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The 201E has a higher average benchmark score of 19056, while the 305 averages 18302. The 201E is at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, and the 305 is at the 72nd percentile.

Q: How close is the multithreaded PassMark score?

A: The 305 edges out the 201E in PassMark multithread, scoring 15439 versus 14839. The difference is 3.9% in favor of the 305.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in their core and thread configurations. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the 201E supports hyper-threading, while the 305 does not. Clock speeds also vary considerably: the 201E has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, whereas the 305 operates at a 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost.

The 201E is a desktop processor with a thermal design power of 60 watts, while the 305 is a mobile part rated at 15 watts. They use different sockets: the 201E fits Intel Socket 1700, and the 305 uses Intel BGA 1516. The memory support differs as well, with the 201E supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, and the 305 supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel setup. The memory bandwidth reflects this, with the 201E at 76.8 GB/s and the 305 at 59.7 GB/s. The 201E supports ECC memory, while the 305 does not. The PCIe capabilities also differ, with the 201E offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes and the 305 offering Gen 4 with 6 lanes.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 201E is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 163 mm². The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730.

The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node. The cache configuration is different, with 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. No die size is recorded for the 305. The integrated graphics are listed as Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. Both processors come from Intel, and both are listed as active production parts with locked multipliers. The release dates differ, with the 201E released on 2025-01-12 and the 305 released on 2026-04-15.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 305 wins in the majority of benchmark tests, making it the better choice for general purpose computing where the workload is varied. Its single-thread advantage of 12.4% in PassMark and consistent 3.9% lead across Cinebench versions makes it suitable for responsiveness in day-to-day tasks and lightly threaded applications. The 305 also wins in floating-point math, encryption, and extended instructions, which are relevant for scientific calculations, cryptography, and media processing. Its higher scores in physics and prime number finding further cement its position as a stronger all-round performer.

The Intel Core 3 201E wins in integer math, data compression, and random string sorting. The 35.9% margin in integer math is the largest recorded difference in the comparison, indicating a specialized strength in tasks that depend on integer arithmetic. The 11.8% lead in data compression suggests that archiving and file handling workloads could run faster on this desktop chip. The 201E also carries a higher average benchmark score of 19056 versus 18302, placing it slightly higher in the overall percentile ranking. For users with workloads that align with its integer and compression strengths, the 201E offers a compelling performance profile.