CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-13100 and the Intel Core 3 305 occupy the same performance tier, with average benchmark scores of 18380 and 18302 respectively, yet they are engineered for entirely different worlds. The data reveals a fascinating split: the i3-13100, a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, and the Core 3 305, a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1516, trade blows in distinct workloads despite their similar overall standing. The benchmark results indicate that architectural choices, rather than raw core counts, define their respective strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100 edges out the Core 3 305 with an average benchmark score of 18380, compared to 18302 for the Core 3 305. This places the i3-13100 a marginal 0.4% ahead of its rival, according to the nearestRivals data.

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

A: The Core 3 305 consistently wins in multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 1322 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 5511 in R20 multi-core, and 13123 in R23 multi-core, outpacing the i3-13100's scores of 1208, 5034, and 11986 by margins of 8.6%, 8.7%, and 8.7% respectively.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations of each chip?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the i3-13100 uses hyper-threading, while the Core 3 305 does not.

Q: Which processor leads in PassMark's integer math test?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100 wins decisively in the PassMark integer math test, scoring 41313 against the Core 3 305's 32295. This represents a 27.9% advantage for the i3-13100.

Q: What are the process nodes for these two Intel processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100 is built on a 10 nm process node (Raptor Lake), while the Intel Core 3 305 uses a 3 nm node (Wildcat Lake). The Core 3 305's node is significantly more advanced.

Q: Which chip offers better single-threaded performance in PassMark?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 is faster in single-threaded workloads, scoring 3977 in the PassMark single-thread test compared to the i3-13100's 3460. This gives the Core 3 305 a 13% lead in this metric.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent starkly different architectural approaches from Intel. The i3-13100 is based on Raptor Lake, a 10 nm desktop design codenamed Raptor Lake-S, and belongs to the 13th Gen Core series. In contrast, the Core 3 305 is built on a 3 nm node using the Wildcat Lake codename, targeting the mobile segment with a completely different design philosophy. The process node difference is substantial, with the Core 3 305's 3 nm process representing a major leap in manufacturing density over the i3-13100's 10 nm node.

Core configuration further separates these parts. The i3-13100 employs 4 physical cores with Hyper-Threading to reach 8 threads, a classic approach for efficient desktop multitasking. The Core 3 305 instead uses 6 physical cores without Hyper-Threading, yielding 6 threads. This suggests the Core 3 305 relies on its higher core count for multi-threaded tasks, while the i3-13100 depends on thread duplication to handle concurrent workloads.

Cache hierarchies also differ markedly. The i3-13100 features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The i3-13100's larger L3 cache provides a significant buffer for frequently accessed data, while the Core 3 305's smaller L3 but larger per-core L1 and L2 caches reflect a design optimized for power efficiency in mobile environments.

Memory support and I/O also diverge. The i3-13100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with PCIe Gen 5 and 16 CPU lanes. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory but in a single-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, and offers only PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The desktop part clearly provides more memory bandwidth and PCIe throughput, while the mobile chip prioritizes lower power consumption with its 15 W TDP versus the i3-13100's 60 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a lopsided contest in terms of raw win count, with the Core 3 305 taking 15 of 17 tests, but the i3-13100's victories are substantial. The most significant win for the i3-13100 comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 41313 versus 32295, a 27.9% advantage. This indicates that the i3-13100's architecture is exceptionally strong at handling integer arithmetic operations, likely benefiting from its higher clock speeds and larger cache.

The i3-13100 also wins in PassMark data compression, scoring 161424 against 146857, a 9.9% lead. This suggests that the desktop chip's dual-channel memory and higher bandwidth are advantageous for compression algorithms that move large amounts of data. These two wins highlight the i3-13100's strength in specific, memory-intensive computational tasks.

The Core 3 305 dominates in nearly every other category, with particularly impressive margins in specialized tests. Its biggest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 115 against the i3-13100's 52, a massive 54.8% advantage. This test is highly sensitive to single-thread efficiency and branch prediction, areas where the newer 3 nm architecture excels.

Physics and floating-point performance also favor the Core 3 305 significantly. It scores 1233 in PassMark physics versus 870, a 29.4% lead, and 42284 in floating-point math versus 32325, a 23.6% margin. These results suggest the Core 3 305's 6 cores provide a real advantage in parallel floating-point calculations, despite its lower clock speeds.

Single-threaded performance across all Cinebench versions shows the Core 3 305 ahead by 8.6%, with scores of 186 versus 170 in R15, 777 versus 710 in R20, and 1852 versus 1692 in R23. This consistent single-thread lead is notable given the i3-13100's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 305, indicating that the newer architecture achieves more instructions per clock.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-13100 | Intel Core 3 305 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 60 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-S | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 6 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $134 | $309 |

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on platform and workload priorities. The Intel Core 3 305 wins the majority of benchmarks, taking 15 out of 17 head-to-head tests, and offers superior performance in Cinebench multi-core and single-core, PassMark encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. Its 3 nm architecture delivers higher efficiency, evidenced by a 15 W TDP against the i3-13100's 60 W, and its 6 cores provide a robust foundation for parallel tasks.

However, the Intel Core i3-13100 is not without merit. It wins decisively in integer math and data compression, indicating that users whose workloads are heavily focused on these operations would see better performance from the desktop chip. Its dual-channel memory support and 12 MB of L3 cache provide a substantial bandwidth advantage that the single-channel Core 3 305 cannot match, which likely contributes to its compression success.

The choice ultimately depends on the user's platform and specific application demands. For mobile users or those building a power-efficient system, the Core 3 305 is the stronger performer across most metrics. For desktop users who prioritize integer math and data compression, the i3-13100 offers clear benefits, and its lower launch MSRP of $134 versus $309 for the Core 3 305 makes it a compelling option for those on a desktop platform. The i3-13100 also has the advantage of being released earlier, with a 2023-01-03 date versus the Core 3 305's 2026-04-15 release.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 305 is the clear winner for general-purpose computing, multi-threaded workloads, and single-thread efficiency. Its wins in all Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) for both multi-core and single-core indicate superior rendering and productivity performance. PassMark results reinforce this, with wins in encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. This makes it the better choice for content creation, scientific computing, and any task that leverages multiple cores or modern instruction sets, all while consuming far less power at 15 W TDP.

The Intel Core i3-13100 carves out its niche in integer-heavy and data-compression tasks. Its 27.9% win in integer math and 9.9% win in data compression suggest that database operations, financial calculations, and file archiving would benefit from this chip's architecture. The dual-channel memory bus and larger 12 MB L3 cache likely play a critical role in these successes, providing the data throughput needed for compression algorithms. Additionally, for desktop users with existing DDR4 memory, the i3-13100 offers compatibility that the DDR5/LPDDR5X-only Core 3 305 lacks, though this is a platform consideration rather than a performance metric.