Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core i5-14450HX Comparison

The Intel Core 3 305 and the Intel Core i5-14450HX serve distinctly different segments of the mobile processor market, and the benchmark data confirms a clear split in their strengths. The Core i5-14450HX dominates the multi-core and aggregate performance categories, delivering significantly higher scores in nearly every workload that scales with core count and threading. The Core 3 305, however, demonstrates a surprising advantage in specific single-threaded and integer-heavy tasks, where its newer architecture and higher efficiency per core allow it to win outright. The data shows that the Core i5-14450HX is the superior processor for demanding, parallelized applications, while the Core 3 305 holds its own in niche workloads where raw single-core speed and specific instruction efficiency matter more.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-14450HX is the clear winner in the vast majority of benchmark categories, taking 14 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its most decisive victories come in multi-threaded and memory-intensive tasks. The PassMark integer math test shows the Core i5-14450HX scoring 78,330 against 32,295 for the Core 3 305, a massive 58.8% advantage. Similarly, the data compression workload favors the Core i5-14450HX with a score of 278,538 compared to 146,857, a 47.3% lead. All Cinebench multi-core tests follow the same pattern, with the Core i5-14450HX consistently outperforming the Core 3 305 by approximately 34.7%. This includes the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Core i5-14450HX scores 20,108 versus 13,123.

The Core 3 305 wins in exactly three categories, and they are all single-threaded or highly specific in nature. The PassMark single-thread test shows the Core 3 305 scoring 3,977 against 3,643 for the Core i5-14450HX, a 9.2% advantage. The find prime numbers test also favors the Core 3 305, with a score of 115 versus 98, representing a 17.3% lead. These wins indicate that the Core 3 305 has superior per-core efficiency in certain integer operations, despite having fewer cores and threads overall.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-14450HX is the processor to select for users who need maximum throughput in multi-threaded applications such as video rendering, software compilation, and data processing. Its 10 cores and 16 threads provide a substantial advantage over the 6 cores and 6 threads of the Core 3 305, and this is reflected in the consistent 34.7% lead across all Cinebench multi-core benchmarks and the overwhelming 58.8% lead in integer math. The Core i5-14450HX also holds a higher percentile ranking, sitting at the 82nd percentile against all CPUs, while the Core 3 305 ranks at the 72nd percentile. The average benchmark score for the Core i5-14450HX is 32,040, compared to 18,302 for the Core 3 305, a difference of approximately 75%.

The Intel Core 3 305 is the better choice for workloads that are strictly single-threaded or that rely on specific integer operations. Its wins in the PassMark single-thread test and the find prime numbers test suggest that applications which do not scale well across cores will see better performance from the Core 3 305. Additionally, the Core 3 305 has a significantly lower thermal design power of 15 watts compared to 55 watts for the Core i5-14450HX, making it a more suitable option for ultra-portable and fanless designs where power consumption and heat generation are primary concerns. The Core 3 305 also uses a more advanced 3 nm process node compared to the 10 nm node of the Core i5-14450HX, which contributes to its efficiency advantages.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory for the Core i5-14450HX occurs in the PassMark integer math test, where it scores 78,330 against 32,295, a delta of 58.8%. This is followed by the data compression test, where the Core i5-14450HX scores 278,538 versus 146,857, a 47.3% lead. The random string sorting test also shows a substantial gap, with the Core i5-14450HX scoring 29,565 against 17,623, a 40.4% advantage. The multi-thread test follows the same trend, with the Core i5-14450HX scoring 23,680 against 15,439, a 34.8% lead.

The Core 3 305 counters with a 17.3% win in the find prime numbers test, scoring 115 versus 98. It also wins both instances of the single-thread test with a score of 3,977 versus 3,643, a 9.2% advantage. These wins, while fewer in number, are notable because they demonstrate that the Core 3 305 is not universally slower than the Core i5-14450HX. In the Cinebench R15 single-core test, the Core i5-14450HX wins with 285 against 186, a 34.7% lead, which contrasts sharply with the PassMark single-thread result. The difference likely stems from the specific instruction sets and memory configurations used in each test.

The floating point math test shows the Core i5-14450HX scoring 58,037 against 42,284, a 27.1% lead. The extended instructions test favors the Core i5-14450HX with 17,207 against 13,543, a 21.3% lead. The physics test shows a narrower margin, with the Core i5-14450HX scoring 1,475 against 1,233, a 16.4% lead. The data encryption test also favors the Core i5-14450HX, scoring 15,574 against 11,019, a 29.2% lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14450HX has an average benchmark score of 32,040, while the Intel Core 3 305 has an average benchmark score of 18,302.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in the PassMark single-thread test?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3,977, compared to 3,643 for the Intel Core i5-14450HX, a 9.2% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power between the two?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has a thermal design power of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i5-14450HX has a thermal design power of 55 watts.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-14450HX has a shared L3 cache of 20 MB, while the Intel Core 3 305 has a shared L3 cache of 6 MB.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14450HX supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 305 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core 3 305 is based on the Wildcat Lake codename and uses a 3 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. The Intel Core i5-14450HX is based on the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-HX, built on a 10 nm process node. The die size also differs, with the Core i5-14450HX having a die size of 257 mm², while the Core 3 305 has no listed die size in the database. The cache hierarchy is notably different as well. The Core 3 305 has an L1 cache of 192 KB, an L2 cache of 2.5 MB, and a shared L3 cache of 6 MB. The Core i5-14450HX has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 2 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 20 MB. The integrated graphics also differ, with the Core 3 305 using Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core i5-14450HX uses UHD Graphics 710. The PCIe support is different as well, with the Core 3 305 offering Gen 4 with 6 lanes, while the Core i5-14450HX offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Core 3 305 uses a single-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the Core i5-14450HX uses a dual-channel memory bus with no listed bandwidth. The Core i5-14450HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Specification Differences

The Core i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads, compared to 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 3 305. The base clock speeds differ, with the Core 3 305 at 1.50 GHz and the Core i5-14450HX at 2.40 GHz. The boost clocks also differ, with the Core 3 305 reaching 4.30 GHz and the Core i5-14450HX reaching 4.80 GHz. The thermal design power is 15 watts for the Core 3 305 and 55 watts for the Core i5-14450HX. The sockets are different, with the Core 3 305 using Intel BGA 1516 and the Core i5-14450HX using Intel BGA 1964. The Core i5-14450HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 3 305 does not. The release dates differ, with the Core i5-14450HX released on 2024-01-07 and the Core 3 305 released on 2026-04-15. The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309, while the Core i5-14450HX has no listed launch MSRP. The Core i5-14450HX supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 305 does not. The part numbers also differ, with the Core 3 305 having part number SAE3L and the Core i5-14450HX having part number SRMXK.