Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Intel Core 3 305 and Intel Core 9 273PE occupy opposite ends of Intel’s current mobile and desktop lineup. The Core 3 305 is a 6-core, 6-thread mobile processor built on a 3 nm process, while the Core 9 273PE is a 12-core, 24-thread desktop part on a 10 nm process. The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the Core 3 305 does hold a narrow win in one important metric. This analysis breaks down where each processor leads, the architectural differences, benchmark results, and which buyer should choose which.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 273PE wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with decisive advantages in every multi-threaded and most single-threaded workloads. Its largest margin comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 139410 against 32295, a delta of -76.8% from the Core 3 305’s perspective. The Core 9 273PE also dominates data compression (405885 vs 146857, -63.8%), floating point math (107884 vs 42284, -60.8%), and random string sorting (45098 vs 17623, -60.9%). Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R23 multicore shows 31288 for the Core 9 273PE versus 13123 for the Core 3 305, a -58.1% delta.

The Core 3 305 wins only one unique benchmark category, PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3977 against 3650, a 9% advantage. That is the sole head-to-head win for the Core 3 305, and it appears twice in the data under slightly different test names (passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, both with identical scores). No other benchmark in the database favors the Core 3 305. Even in Cinebench single-core tests, the Core 9 273PE leads: R23 singlecore shows 4417 against 1852, a -58.1% delta.

For use-case planning, the Core 9 273PE is the choice for any workload that scales with cores or threads: rendering, compression, encryption, physics simulation, and integer-heavy math. The Core 3 305 holds a niche advantage in lightly threaded, single-task scenarios where its higher PassMark single-thread score matters, such as legacy applications or certain real-time workloads that depend on one core’s responsiveness.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design families. The Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 3 generation, while the Core 9 273PE uses Bartlett Lake and belongs to the Core 9 generation. The process nodes differ significantly: the Core 3 305 is built on a 3 nm node, the Core 9 273PE on a 10 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the newer process on the Core 3 305 does not translate into higher performance, as the Core 9 273PE’s larger core count and higher clocks dominate.

Core and thread counts are the biggest architectural split. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, effectively doubling the core count and quadrupling the thread count. Cache configurations also differ: the Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3, while the Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Core 9 273PE’s L3 cache is six times larger in total, which helps in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support is another major difference. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 9 273PE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 305 does not. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the Core 3 305 has Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core 9 273PE has Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with the Core 3 305 using Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) and the Core 9 273PE using UHD Graphics 730.

The sockets are not compatible: the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516 (mobile), while the Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700 (desktop). The Core 3 305 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz, with a 15 W TDP. The Core 9 273PE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and boost clock of 5.70 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison appears in PassMark integer math. The Core 9 273PE scores 139410, while the Core 3 305 scores 32295, a delta of -76.8%. That is more than four times the integer throughput. Next is data compression, where the Core 9 273PE scores 405885 against 146857, a -63.8% delta. Floating point math shows a similar gap: 107884 versus 42284, -60.8%. Random string sorting also favors the Core 9 273PE heavily, 45098 versus 17623, -60.9%.

Cinebench R23 multicore is a good proxy for rendering workloads. The Core 9 273PE scores 31288, the Core 3 305 scores 13123, a -58.1% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore follows the same pattern: 13140 versus 5511, -58.1%. The single-core Cinebench results are equally lopsided, with the Core 9 273PE scoring 4417 in R23 singlecore versus 1852 for the Core 3 305, also -58.1%. This contradicts the PassMark single-thread result, where the Core 3 305 leads 3977 to 3650, a 9% advantage. The two benchmarks measure different aspects of single-thread performance, and the data shows the Core 3 305 wins PassMark’s version while losing Cinebench’s version.

PassMark multithread shows 36810 for the Core 9 273PE against 15439 for the Core 3 305, a -58.1% delta. Physics simulation favors the Core 9 273PE, 3120 versus 1233, -60.5%. Data encryption shows a smaller relative gap: 22719 versus 11019, -51.5%. Extended instructions are closer still: 24630 versus 13543, -45%. Prime number finding shows the smallest absolute margin: 203 versus 115, -43.3%, but the Core 9 273PE still wins clearly.

The Core 3 305’s only two wins are the identical PassMark single-thread tests. Those scores are 3977 for both entries, with the Core 9 273PE at 3650 in both. The delta is 9% in favor of the Core 3 305. This is the only category where the lower-core-count processor outperforms, and it is not reflected in Cinebench single-core results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE wins with a score of 31288, compared to 13123 for the Intel Core 3 305, a delta of -58.1% from the Core 3 305’s perspective.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 305 beat the Core 9 273PE in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Core 3 305 wins the PassMark single-thread test, scoring 3977 versus 3650 for the Core 9 273PE, a 9% advantage. That is the only benchmark category where it leads.

Q: What is the thread count difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has 24 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 305 does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65 W.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.30 GHz versus 5.70 GHz. TDP is 15 W versus 65 W. The sockets are different: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 305, Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 9 273PE. Process nodes differ: 3 nm for the Core 3 305, 10 nm for the Core 9 273PE. Codenames are Wildcat Lake versus Bartlett Lake.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core 9 273PE has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support: the Core 3 305 uses DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory, while the Core 9 273PE uses DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory. Memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC support is absent on the Core 3 305 and present on the Core 9 273PE. PCIe versions and lanes differ: Gen 4 with 6 lanes versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) versus UHD Graphics 730. The Core 3 305 is a mobile part, while the Core 9 273PE is a desktop part. Release dates differ as well: the Core 3 305 released on 2026-04-15, the Core 9 273PE on 2026-03-08. The launch MSRP for the Core 3 305 is $309, and for the Core 9 273PE it is $549. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 9 273PE is the stronger processor for nearly every workload. It wins 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from -43.3% in prime number finding to -76.8% in integer math. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 5.70 GHz boost clock, 36 MB L3 cache, and dual-channel memory, make it the appropriate choice for rendering, compression, encryption, physics, and any multi-threaded application. It also wins all Cinebench single-core tests, so even lightly threaded workloads that rely on that benchmark will favor it.

The Intel Core 3 305 is not without a role. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3977 exceeds the Core 9 273PE’s 3650 by 9%, making it the better option for software that depends specifically on that benchmark’s metrics. Its 3 nm process and 15 W TDP also indicate a power-efficient mobile design, suited for systems where energy draw is a primary constraint. The single-channel memory and 6 MB L3 cache limit its peak throughput, and the data confirms it falls far behind in all multi-threaded tests.

For a desktop builder prioritizing raw performance, the Core 9 273PE is the clear pick from the data. For a mobile system where single-thread responsiveness in PassMark-style tasks matters and power draw is minimal, the Core 3 305 has a specific advantage. The 90th percentile ranking of the Core 9 273PE versus the 72nd percentile of the Core 3 305 reinforces the overall performance gap. Choose based on workload, not brand: the Core 9 273PE for throughput, the Core 3 305 for its niche single-thread win and low power profile.