Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core 7 250H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core 7 250H, which wins 16 of the 17 recorded comparisons. The average benchmark score for the Core 7 250H is 35728, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 305 averages 18302, sitting at the 72nd percentile. The margin in average score is substantial: the Core 7 250H delivers roughly 95% higher aggregate performance.

The largest single-core gap appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Core 7 250H scores 1368 versus 777 for the Core 3 305, a 43.2% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a similar pattern: 298 against 186, a 37.6% lead. The single-thread Passmark results narrow the gap considerably, with the Core 7 250H scoring 4148 versus 3977, a 4.1% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core also shows a relatively modest 4.1% delta, with 1931 against 1852.

Multi-core results swing even harder toward the Core 7 250H. The largest deficit for the Core 3 305 appears in Passmark integer math, where the Core 7 250H scores 99100 versus 32295, a 67.4% advantage. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the Core 7 250H at 3147 against 1322, a 58% lead. Passmark data compression follows at 303269 versus 146857, a 51.6% gap. Random string sorting shows a 48.4% gap, with 34136 against 17623. Cinebench R20 multi-core delivers 9697 versus 5511, a 43.2% lead, and Passmark multithread scores 27030 versus 15439, a 42.9% gap.

The Core 7 250H also wins in Passmark data encryption, scoring 18206 against 11019, a 39.5% advantage, and in floating point math with 65094 versus 42284, a 35% lead. Passmark physics shows 1824 versus 1233, a 32.4% gap. Extended instructions favor the Core 7 250H at 17318 versus 13543, a 21.8% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the smallest multi-core gap at 20.8%, with 16561 versus 13123.

The Core 3 305 claims exactly one win: Passmark find prime numbers, scoring 115 against 106, an 8.5% advantage. This is the only recorded benchmark where the lower-tier chip leads, indicating a specific workload where its architecture holds a narrow edge.

The Verdict

The recorded data leads to an unambiguous conclusion: the Intel Core 7 250H is the stronger processor in nearly every measured workload. Its 14 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 5.40 GHz boost clock, produce dominant multi-threaded results across Cinebench and Passmark suites. The 85th percentile ranking versus the 72nd percentile for the Core 3 305 confirms the hierarchy.

The Core 3 305 does not compete on raw throughput. Its single win in prime number finding is real but isolated, representing an 8.5% edge in one specialized test. Across all other categories, the Core 7 250H leads by margins ranging from 4.1% in single-thread tests to 67.4% in integer math.

The choice depends entirely on the workload profile. For users whose tasks involve heavy parallel processing, compression, encryption, or physics simulation, the Core 7 250H is the clear selection. For workloads dominated by prime number calculations, the Core 3 305 offers a measurable advantage, though the practical scope of such tasks is narrow.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 250H dominates productivity and content creation scenarios. Data compression performance, which affects archiving and file transfer workloads, shows a 51.6% advantage. Encryption tasks run 39.5% faster, benefiting secure data handling. Integer math operations, common in financial modeling and scientific computing, show the largest gap at 67.4%. Floating point math, relevant to rendering and simulation, runs 35% faster.

The Core 3 305 wins only in prime number finding, a workload that stresses specific integer operations. Its 8.5% edge in this test suggests an architectural efficiency in that narrow path, but the score of 115 versus 106 is small in absolute terms.

For single-thread responsiveness, the Core 7 250H maintains a consistent but modest lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows only a 4.1% gap, and Passmark single-thread shows the same 4.1% delta. The Core 3 305 comes closest to parity in these tests, indicating that its 4.30 GHz boost clock keeps it competitive in lightly threaded applications.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H has an average benchmark score of 35728, while the Intel Core 3 305 scores 18302.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Core 7 250H scores 16561 versus 13123 for the Core 3 305, a 20.8% advantage for the Core 7 250H.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Core 3 305 wins?

A: Yes, the Core 3 305 wins in Passmark find prime numbers with a score of 115 versus 106, an 8.5% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark integer math, where the Core 7 250H scores 99100 against 32295, a 67.4% lead.

Q: How close are the two in single-thread performance?

A: They are closest in Passmark single-thread, where the Core 7 250H scores 4148 versus 3977, a 4.1% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the same 4.1% gap.

Q: What percentile ranking does each processor hold?

A: The Core 7 250H ranks at the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 305 ranks at the 72nd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node, while the Core 7 250H uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Core counts differ sharply. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core 7 250H has 14 cores and 20 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration with performance and efficiency cores. The Core 7 250H also carries the Raptor Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation.

Cache hierarchies diverge. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache and 2.5 MB of L2 cache, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 250H lists L1 cache as 80 KB per core and L2 as 2 MB per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger shared L3 on the Core 7 250H supports its higher core count.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 250H supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core 3 305 uses Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core 7 250H uses Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core 7 250H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units.

Specification Differences

The Core 7 250H leads in core count with 14 cores and 20 threads versus 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 3 305. Base clock speeds are 2.50 GHz for the Core 7 250H and 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 305. Boost clocks reach 5.40 GHz on the Core 7 250H and 4.30 GHz on the Core 3 305.

Thermal design power differs substantially: the Core 7 250H is rated at 45 W, while the Core 3 305 is rated at 15 W. Sockets differ: the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the Core 7 250H uses Intel BGA 1744.

The Core 3 305 launches with an MSRP of $309, while the Core 7 250H launches with an MSRP of $502. Release dates differ: the Core 3 305 released in April 2026, and the Core 7 250H released in December 2024. Both are active production parts with locked multipliers for mobile use. Neither supports ECC memory.