AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 and Intel Core 3 305 are both mobile processors, but they address very different performance profiles. The recorded data shows the Ryzen 7 170 wins 7 of the 11 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Core 3 305 takes 4. The Ryzen 7 170 also holds a significantly higher overall average benchmark score of 43689 compared to the Core 3 305's 18302, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs versus the 72nd percentile for the Intel part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 170 comes in the PassMark integer math test, where it scores 79738 against the Intel Core 3 305's 32295, a 146.9% advantage. This indicates a massive lead in raw integer processing throughput, likely reflecting the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads versus the Intel's 6 cores and 6 threads. Data compression also shows a strong AMD win: 265920 versus 146857, a delta of 81.1%. The Ryzen 7 170 is also ahead in random string sorting, posting 27804 versus 17623, a 57.8% lead. Data encryption favors AMD by 45.9% (16078 versus 11019), and extended instructions show a 33.7% advantage (18107 versus 13543). The multithread score, a key indicator of parallel workload capability, goes to AMD at 20760 versus 15439, a 34.5% edge. Even in floating point math, where the gap is smaller, AMD still wins at 44979 versus 42284, a 6.4% improvement.

The Intel Core 3 305, however, has its own victories, and they are important for single-threaded tasks. The most striking is in the find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 115 versus AMD's 49, a delta of -57.4% (meaning AMD is 57.4% behind). This is a dramatic reversal, suggesting a fundamental difference in how each architecture handles this specific workload. The single-thread score also goes to Intel, at 3977 versus 3128, a 21.3% lead. This is a significant margin and indicates the Core 3 305 has superior per-core performance. The physics test also favors Intel, with a score of 1233 versus 890, a 27.8% advantage.

The data paints a clear picture: the Ryzen 7 170 dominates in multi-threaded, parallel, and data-heavy tasks, while the Intel Core 3 305 excels in single-threaded and specific integer workloads. The find prime numbers result is particularly interesting, as it is the only test where AMD's score is drastically lower, suggesting a specific instruction path where Intel's architecture is far more efficient.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 43689, compared to 18302 for the Intel Core 3 305.

Q: What is the performance difference in the multithread test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 scores 20760 in the PassMark multithread test, which is 34.5% higher than the Intel Core 3 305's score of 15439.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 305 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 3 305 wins the find prime numbers test (115 versus 49), the physics test (1233 versus 890), and the single-thread test (3977 versus 3128).

Q: How large is the gap in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 leads the single-thread test by 21.3%, scoring 3977 against the AMD Ryzen 7 170's 3128.

Q: What is the biggest performance delta in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest delta is in the PassMark integer math test, where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 is 146.9% ahead of the Intel Core 3 305.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 is in the 88th percentile, while the Intel Core 3 305 is in the 72nd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture, with the Rembrandt-R codename, and is manufactured on a 6 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, with a 3 nm process node built by Intel itself. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading.

Cache configurations also differ notably. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and per-core L2 cache of 512 KB, with a shared L3 cache of 16 MB. The Intel Core 3 305 has a total L1 cache of 192 KB, a total L2 cache of 2.5 MB, and a smaller shared L3 cache of 6 MB. The AMD processor also supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not. The integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD using a Radeon 680M and Intel using Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe).

The memory support is another key divergence. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, offering a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core 3 305 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only via a single-channel memory bus, resulting in a lower maximum bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the AMD providing 20 lanes of Gen 4 connectivity (CPU only) and the Intel providing only 6 lanes of Gen 4 (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two mobile processors highlight several clear differences. The core and thread counts are the most obvious: the AMD Ryzen 7 170 offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 offers 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clock speeds differ substantially, with AMD at 3.20 GHz and Intel at 1.50 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, but AMD still holds an edge at 4.75 GHz versus Intel's 4.30 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is also different, with the AMD part rated at 35 watts and the Intel part at 15 watts, indicating a much lower power envelope for the Intel chip.

The cache hierarchy is different, as noted above. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Intel has a total of 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2. The L3 cache is also smaller on the Intel, at 6 MB shared versus 16 MB shared on the AMD. Memory support is another differentiator: the AMD uses only DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, while the Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but with a single-channel bus. The AMD also features ECC memory support, which the Intel lacks. The PCIe configuration is different, with AMD offering 20 Gen 4 lanes and Intel offering 6 Gen 4 lanes. Finally, the integrated graphics are different, with AMD pairing a Radeon 680M and Intel using Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe). The process node also differs, with AMD on 6 nm and Intel on 3 nm.

The Verdict

The benchmark data provides a clear directive for potential buyers. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 is the superior choice for workloads that leverage multiple cores and threads. Its wins in integer math, data compression, encryption, and the multithread test, with leads ranging from 34.5% to 146.9%, show it is far more capable for rendering, video encoding, and other parallel tasks. Its higher average benchmark score of 43689 and 88th percentile ranking reinforce this as the higher-performing processor overall.

The Intel Core 3 305, with its 15-watt TDP and 3 nm process, is positioned for efficiency and single-threaded responsiveness. Its 21.3% lead in the single-thread test and strong showing in the physics test indicate it would feel snappier in lightly-threaded applications like web browsing, office work, and general system navigation. Its massive win in the find prime numbers test, scoring 115 versus 49, suggests a specific computational advantage for that particular operation.

For a user prioritizing maximum throughput in multi-threaded applications and who can accommodate a higher power draw, the AMD Ryzen 7 170 is the clear choice based on the data. For a user who values single-core speed, lower power consumption, and efficiency in a mobile form factor, the Intel Core 3 305 has distinct advantages. The data does not suggest one is universally better, but rather that each is tuned for a different set of priorities. The AMD wins the majority of tests and has a higher overall score, but the Intel wins the tests that matter most for single-threaded performance and efficiency.