Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core 7 350 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents an unusual split between these two Wildcat Lake mobile processors. The Intel Core 3 305 wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 350 wins 6. Despite the Core 7 350 carrying the higher series designation and a higher launch MSRP of $469 compared to $309 for the Core 3 305, the benchmark results do not consistently favor the more expensive part. The Core 3 305 delivers a higher average benchmark score of 18302 against 17779 for the Core 7 350, and it holds a 72nd percentile ranking versus a 71st percentile for the Core 7 350 across all CPUs in the database.

The Core 3 305 is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 13123 is 63.4% ahead of the Core 7 350's 8030, a massive gap that defines the performance relationship between the two. The Core 3 305 also leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 8.4% (1322 versus 1220) and in Cinebench R20 multi-core by 2.6% (5511 versus 5373). The PassMark multi-thread test shows a smaller 1.8% advantage (15439 versus 15170), but the pattern holds across most workload categories.

The Core 7 350 takes the single-thread crown. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 292 is 36.3% higher than the Core 3 305's 186, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2046 beats 1852 by 9.5%. The PassMark single-thread test confirms this with a 3% lead (4100 versus 3977). Users who prioritize lightly threaded responsiveness over raw multi-core throughput would favor the Core 7 350, but the margin in single-core work is generally smaller than the multi-core deficit.

The data suggests the Core 3 305 is the better all-round mobile processor for sustained parallel workloads, while the Core 7 350 exists for scenarios where single-core performance matters most. The Core 7 350's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9374F at 0.5% above and the Intel Core 5 221TE at 0.5% below, indicating its average score sits in a tight competitive cluster. The Core 3 305's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-14100, sits 0.1% below, with the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E 0.4% above.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has an average benchmark score of 18302, which is 523 points higher than the Intel Core 7 350's 17779. The Core 3 305 also ranks at the 72nd percentile versus the 71st percentile for the Core 7 350 among all CPUs in the database.

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

A: The Core 3 305 dominates multi-core rendering. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 13123 against 8030, a 63.4% advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 3 305 leads 1322 to 1220 (8.4%), and in Cinebench R20 multi-core it leads 5511 to 5373 (2.6%).

Q: Is the Core 7 350 better in any benchmark category?

A: Yes, the Core 7 350 wins six benchmarks: Cinebench R15 single-core (292 versus 186, a 36.3% lead), Cinebench R23 single-core (2046 versus 1852, a 9.5% lead), PassMark floating point math (42809 versus 42284, a 1.2% lead), PassMark integer math (33734 versus 32295, a 4.3% lead), and both PassMark single-thread tests (4100 versus 3977, a 3% lead).

Q: Do the two processors share the same core configuration?

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 6 threads, a base clock of 1.50 GHz, a TDP of 15 watts, and the same Intel BGA 1516 socket. The Core 7 350 has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 305.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The Core 3 305 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core 7 350 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Both are part of the same Wildcat Lake generation and use the 3 nm process node from Intel.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The data indicates a difference in how cache is described. The Core 3 305 lists L1 cache as 192 KB and L2 cache as 2.5 MB, while the Core 7 350 lists 192 KB per core for L1 and 2.5 MB per core for L2. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to Intel's Wildcat Lake generation and are built on Intel's 3 nm process node. They share the same Intel BGA 1516 socket, the same 6-core, 6-thread configuration, and the same 15-watt TDP. The Core 3 305 is listed under the Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) generation while the Core 7 350 is listed under Core 5 (Wildcat Lake), despite the product name carrying the Core 7 designation.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core 7 350 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. This represents a doubling of the graphics execution units in the higher-tier part, which could affect display output capabilities and light GPU-accelerated tasks, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database.

Memory architecture is identical: both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity matches as well, with Gen 4 and 6 lanes available from the CPU. Both processors have locked multipliers and are produced by Intel's foundry.

The cache layout description differs. The Core 3 305 reports 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2, while the Core 7 350 reports 192 KB per core and 2.5 MB per core, suggesting the Core 7 350's figures are per-core values rather than aggregate totals. The shared L3 cache is reported as 6 MB for both processors.

Specification Differences

The two processors share most core specifications, but several fields differ. The boost clock is the most notable distinction: the Core 7 350 reaches 4.80 GHz while the Core 3 305 tops out at 4.30 GHz. The launch MSRP also differs substantially, with the Core 3 305 at $309 and the Core 7 350 at $469.

The integrated graphics configuration differs as previously noted: 1 Xe core for the Core 3 305 versus 2 Xe cores for the Core 7 350. The generation label differs between Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) and Core 5 (Wildcat Lake), and the part numbers differ: SAE3L for the Core 3 305 and SAE3F for the Core 7 350.

The cache field reporting differs, with the Core 3 305 listing L1 and L2 as absolute values and the Core 7 350 listing them as per-core values. Both processors have identical base clocks (1.50 GHz), TDP (15 watts), socket (Intel BGA 1516), process node (3 nm), memory support (DDR5, LPDDR5X), memory bus (single-channel), memory bandwidth (59.7 GB/s), ECC support (false), PCIe configuration (Gen 4, 6 lanes), market segment (Mobile), production status (Active), release date (2026-04-15), and multiplier unlocked status (false).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear performance split. The Core 3 305 wins 11 comparisons, the Core 7 350 wins 6, and the margin of victory varies dramatically by workload type.

The largest single win belongs to the Core 3 305 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where its score of 13123 is 63.4% higher than the Core 7 350's 8030. This is the defining result of the comparison. The Core 3 305 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 8.4% (1322 versus 1220) and Cinebench R20 multi-core by 2.6% (5511 versus 5373). The PassMark multi-thread test shows a narrower 1.8% win (15439 versus 15170).

The Core 7 350's largest win comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where its 292 score beats the Core 3 305's 186 by 36.3%. This is followed by Cinebench R23 single-core at 9.5% (2046 versus 1852) and the PassMark single-thread test at 3% (4100 versus 3977). Interestingly, the Core 3 305 wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 2.5% (777 versus 758), creating an inconsistent picture across Cinebench versions for single-threaded performance.

In the PassMark suite, the results are mixed. The Core 3 305 wins data compression by 2.6% (146857 versus 143123), data encryption by 0.8% (11019 versus 10933), extended instructions by 12.4% (13543 versus 12045), find prime numbers by 7.5% (115 versus 107), physics by 5.1% (1233 versus 1173), and random string sorting by 2.2% (17623 versus 17238). The Core 7 350 wins floating point math by 1.2% (42809 versus 42284) and integer math by 4.3% (33734 versus 32295).

The average benchmark scores confirm the overall picture: 18302 for the Core 3 305 against 17779 for the Core 7 350. The nearest rivals for the Core 3 305 include the Intel Core i3-14100 at 0.1% below and the Intel Core 5 330 at 0.2% below, while the Core 7 350's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9374F at 0.5% above and the Intel Core 5 221TE at 0.5% below. These proximity values place both processors in similar competitive territory despite their divergent workload profiles.