Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core i5-14500HX Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a decisive outcome: the Intel Core i5-14500HX wins 15 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 3 305 takes only 2. The Core i5-14500HX posts an average benchmark score of 35094, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 3 305 averages 18302, sitting in the 72nd percentile. That is a 91.8% gap in average score, and the nearest rivals confirm the separation: the Core 3 305 trades within 0.4% of parts like the Intel Core i3-14100 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, while the Core i5-14500HX sits alongside the Intel Core i9-12900HX and Intel Core i7-13800H.

For workloads that demand multi-core throughput, the Core i5-14500HX is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24234 versus 13123 for the Core 3 305 represents a 45.8% advantage. The 14 cores and 20 threads of the Core i5-14500HX, compared to 6 cores and 6 threads in the Core 3 305, produce overwhelming margins in integer math, compression, and rendering. The Core i5-14500HX also supports ECC memory, uses a dual-channel memory bus, and offers Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, making it suitable for workstation-class mobile systems.

The Core 3 305 has one meaningful edge: single-threaded PassMark performance. It scores 3977 versus 3629 for the Core i5-14500HX, a 9.6% lead. That result, combined with a 15 W TDP against 55 W, positions the Core 3 305 for low-power, thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal restraint matter more than raw compute. Its 3 nm process node and Wildcat Lake architecture deliver that efficiency. Users needing a long-running, single-thread-focused mobile processor should pick the Core 3 305. Users needing multi-core performance for rendering, compilation, or data processing should pick the Core i5-14500HX.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design families. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename with a 3 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX is built on Raptor Lake-HX with a 10 nm node. The Core 3 305 belongs to the Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) generation; the Core i5-14500HX belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, specifically Raptor Lake-HX Refresh. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process node difference is substantial: 3 nm versus 10 nm.

Core counts diverge sharply. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration with performance and efficiency cores. The Core i5-14500HX also runs higher clocks: 2.60 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost, versus 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost for the Core 3 305. TDP reflects the performance intent: 55 W for the Core i5-14500HX, 15 W for the Core 3 305.

Cache layouts differ in structure. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core i5-14500HX lists 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The die size for the Core i5-14500HX is 257 mm²; the Core 3 305 does not report a die size.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i5-14500HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no listed bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the Core i5-14500HX, not on the Core 3 305. PCIe capability also differs: Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes for the Core 3 305, Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes for the Core i5-14500HX.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe unit, while the Core i5-14500HX uses UHD Graphics 770. Both target the mobile segment, and both are active in production. Sockets are not interchangeable: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 305, Intel BGA 1964 for the Core i5-14500HX. The Core i5-14500HX has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 3 305 does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent 45.9% deficit for the Core 3 305 across R15 and R20 tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i5-14500HX scores 2442 against 1322. Single-core R15 shows 344 versus 186. R20 multi-core delivers 10178 versus 5511, and R20 single-core 1436 versus 777. R23 multi-core narrows the gap slightly to 45.8%, with 24234 versus 13123. R23 single-core returns to 45.9%, at 3421 versus 1852.

PassMark integer math produces the largest delta in the entire comparison. The Core i5-14500HX scores 95584, while the Core 3 305 scores 32295, a 66.2% advantage. Data compression follows at 56%: 333851 versus 146857. Random string sorting shows 51.3%: 36219 versus 17623. Multi-threaded PassMark is 45.8% apart: 28508 versus 15439. Data encryption shows 43.5%: 19502 versus 11019. Floating point math is 39.1% apart: 69442 versus 42284. Physics tests show 35.5%: 1911 versus 1233. Extended instructions show 32.3%: 20019 versus 13543. Prime number finding is the closest multi-core result at 11.5%: 130 versus 115.

The Core 3 305 wins only PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 3977 against 3629, a 9.6% margin. That result appears twice in the recorded data (passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread), confirming the single-thread advantage. The Core i5-14500HX also has Geekbench scores not present for the Core 3 305: 10171 multi-core and 2129 single-core.

The recorded data shows 15 wins for the Core i5-14500HX and 2 wins for the Core 3 305. The delta percentages are all negative for the Core 3 305, meaning it trails in every multi-core and most single-core metrics. The only positive delta for the Core 3 305 is the 9.6% PassMark single-thread lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX. It wins every multi-core benchmark, with margins ranging from 11.5% in PassMark prime numbers to 66.2% in PassMark integer math. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 24234 versus 13123, a 45.8% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 305 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark single-thread tests with a score of 3977 versus 3629 for the Core i5-14500HX, a 9.6% margin. That is the only category where it leads.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core i5-14500HX provides 8 additional cores and 14 additional threads.

Q: What memory features differ between the two?

A: The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i5-14500HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no listed bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only on the Core i5-14500HX.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Core 3 305 has a 15 W TDP. The Core i5-14500HX has a 55 W TDP. The Core i5-14500HX consumes over three times the power budget.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i5-14500HX boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Core 3 305 boosts to 4.30 GHz. The base clocks are 2.60 GHz and 1.50 GHz, respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-14500HX dominates in rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Cinebench R23 multi-core at 24234 versus 13123 makes it the stronger choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and CPU-based content creation. PassMark integer math at 95584 versus 32295 indicates a large advantage in general computation, spreadsheet processing, and code compilation. Data compression at 333851 versus 146857 suits archival and database workloads. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache, dual-channel memory, and 16 Gen 5 PCIe lanes further support high-throughput scenarios. ECC memory support makes it viable for data-integrity-sensitive applications.

The Core 3 305 wins in low-power, single-thread-focused scenarios. Its 15 W TDP versus 55 W means it fits in thinner chassis with smaller cooling solutions. The 9.6% PassMark single-thread lead suggests responsive everyday use in lighter applications. The 3 nm process node and Wildcat Lake architecture deliver efficiency. Single-channel memory and 6 Gen 4 PCIe lanes limit expansion, but the processor provides adequate performance for web browsing, office work, and media consumption where multi-core demand is low. The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309.

The benchmark data does not support the Core 3 305 for multi-threaded workloads. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-14100 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, both with average scores near 18300. The Core i5-14500HX sits near the Intel Core i9-12900HX and Intel Core i7-13800H, with average scores around 35000. That places the two processors in different performance classes entirely.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 305 | Intel Core i5-14500HX |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 6 | 20 |

| Base clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh) |

| Process node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | Not reported | 257 mm² |

| L1 cache | 192 KB | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 2.5 MB | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 6 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not reported |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SAE3L | SRMXJ |

| Release date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not reported |