CPU Comparison
Intel Core 3 305
Core i3-14100
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core i3-14100
The Intel Core i3-14100 and Intel Core 3 305 are nearly inseparable in overall average benchmark score, with the i3-14100 posting 18318 and the Core 3 305 posting 18302. That 0.1% difference places them as direct rivals, but the data reveals two very different processors that excel in distinct workloads. The Core 3 305 wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the i3-14100 takes decisive victories in integer math and data compression. The choice comes down to platform and workload priorities rather than raw performance supremacy.
The Verdict
The data shows two chips that deliver nearly identical aggregate performance but for entirely different systems. The Intel Core i3-14100 is the desktop pick: it uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. Its benchmark profile shows a clear strength in integer-heavy and compression tasks, where it leads the Core 3 305 by 40.4% in PassMark integer math and 18.6% in data compression. For users building a desktop system that handles code compilation, spreadsheet work, or file archiving, the i3-14100 is the data-backed choice.
The Intel Core 3 305 targets mobile platforms with its Intel BGA 1516 socket and 15W TDP. It wins the majority of benchmark comparisons, including all Cinebench tests, where it leads by roughly 2.3% across R15, R20, and R23 multicore and single-core runs. Its PassMark physics score of 1233 beats the i3-14100's 958 by 22.3%, and it doubles the i3-14100's prime number finding score (115 vs 55). For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, encryption, or extended instruction throughput in a low-power mobile package, the Core 3 305 is the superior option.
The verdict is straightforward: the i3-14100 suits desktop builders who need strong integer and compression performance with flexible memory options. The Core 3 305 suits mobile users who want a more balanced, efficient processor that wins the majority of benchmark comparisons. Neither chip dominates the other by a meaningful margin in aggregate, the 0.1% delta is negligible, so platform compatibility should drive the decision.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The i3-14100 uses Intel's Raptor Lake architecture on a 10nm process node, built by Intel with a die size of 163 mm². It features 4 cores and 8 threads, reflecting Hyper-Threading support, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Its cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.
The Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3nm process node, also built by Intel. It has 6 cores but only 6 threads, no Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its cache configuration is notably different: 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core 3 305's L3 cache is half the size of the i3-14100's, but its L1 and L2 caches are larger per aggregate.
The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i3-14100 packs UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 3 305 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The Core 3 305 also supports a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i3-14100 runs dual-channel memory. The i3-14100 supports ECC memory; the Core 3 305 does not. PCIe connectivity also diverges: the i3-14100 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core 3 305 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Core 3 305 wins every Cinebench test by a consistent margin. In Cinebench R15, it scores 1322 multicore and 186 single-core, versus 1292 and 182 for the i3-14100, a 2.3% and 2.2% lead, respectively. Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern: 5511 vs 5384 multicore and 777 vs 759 single-core, both 2.3% ahead. Cinebench R23 continues the trend with 13123 vs 12820 multicore and 1852 vs 1809 single-core, again a 2.3% edge. This consistency indicates the Core 3 305's higher core count (6 vs 4) and newer process node deliver a small but uniform advantage in rendering-style workloads.
The PassMark suite reveals a split personality. The i3-14100 dominates in integer math with a score of 45329 versus 32295, a 40.4% lead. It also wins data compression decisively: 174115 vs 146857, an 18.6% margin. These are massive deltas that highlight the i3-14100's strength in arithmetic-heavy and compression tasks, likely due to its higher boost clock and larger L3 cache.
The Core 3 305 fights back in several other PassMark tests. It leads data encryption by 19.8% (11019 vs 8838), extended instructions by 12.4% (13543 vs 11865), and floating-point math by 16.6% (42284 vs 35266). Its prime number finding score of 115 is more than double the i3-14100's 55, a 52.2% advantage. In physics, the Core 3 305 scores 1233 versus 958, a 22.3% lead. Single-thread performance also favors the Core 3 305: 3977 vs 3759, a 5.5% margin. Multithread scores are close, 15439 vs 15095, a 2.2% lead for the Core 3 305, and random string sorting is nearly tied at 17623 vs 17397, a 1.3% edge.
The overall picture is clear: the Core 3 305 wins the majority of tests but the i3-14100's wins are larger in magnitude. The 40.4% integer math and 18.6% compression victories are the biggest single-test deltas in the entire comparison, making the i3-14100 the better choice for those specific workloads.
Specification Differences
| Field | Intel Core i3-14100 | Intel Core 3 305 |
|-------|---------------------|------------------|
| Cores | 4 | 6 |
| Threads | 8 | 6 |
| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1.50 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.30 GHz |
| TDP | 60W | 15W |
| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1516 |
| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Wildcat Lake |
| Process Node | 10nm | 3nm |
| Die Size | 163 mm² | N/A |
| 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 |
| Memory Bandwidth | N/A | 59.7 GB/s |
| ECC Memory | Yes | No |
| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 6 Lanes |
| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |
| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |
| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-04-15 |
| Launch MSRP | $134 | $309 |
| Part Number | SRMX1 | SAE3L |
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core i3-14100 boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 305 boosts to 4.30 GHz.
Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?
A: The Intel Core 3 305 wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 runs. The i3-14100 wins only 2 tests: PassMark data compression and integer math.
Q: What is the biggest performance delta between the two?
A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the i3-14100 scores 45329 versus 32295 for the Core 3 305, a 40.4% advantage. The Core 3 305's biggest win is in prime number finding, where it scores 115 versus 55, a 52.2% lead.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: No. The i3-14100 supports ECC memory, but the Core 3 305 does not.
Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?
A: The i3-14100 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 3 305 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.
Q: What are the socket and market segment differences?
A: The i3-14100 uses Intel Socket 1700 and targets the desktop segment, while the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516 and targets the mobile segment. The Core 3 305 also has a 15W TDP versus 60W for the i3-14100.