Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core i7-1355U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core i7-1355U wins 5 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 305 wins 12. The margin of victory, however, is far more important than the raw win count.

The i7-1355U's biggest advantage comes in integer math. It scores 52002 against 32295 for the Core 3 305, a 61% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The i7 also takes Cinebench R15 multicore with 1393 versus 1322, a 5.4% edge, and Cinebench R15 singlecore with 255.5 versus 186, a massive 37.4% lead. Data compression favors the i7 as well, 155727 to 146857, a 6% difference. Random string sorting is effectively a tie, 17631 versus 17623, with a delta of 0%.

The Core 3 305 answers with decisive wins in nearly every other category. The most striking is Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 13123 against 8286 for the i7, a 36.9% deficit for the older chip. Cinebench R20 multicore shows the same pattern, 5511 versus 4949, a 10.2% gap. Extended instructions go to the Core 3 305 by 35.6%, 13543 versus 8726. Prime number finding shows a 55.7% advantage for the Core 3 305, 115 versus 51. Floating point math goes to the Core 3 305 by 17.3%, 42284 versus 34965. Physics tests favor it by 28%, 1233 versus 888. Data encryption shows a 10.8% lead, 11019 versus 9831. PassMark multithread goes to the Core 3 305, 15439 versus 14299, a 7.4% gap. Single-thread PassMark scores also favor the Core 3 305, 3977 versus 3444, a 13.4% lead. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the Core 3 305 wins 777 versus 698, also a 10.2% delta. Even Cinebench R23 singlecore, the closest single-thread result, goes to the Core 3 305 by 1.5%, 1852 versus 1825.

The data suggests a generational shift. The i7-1355U holds a clear edge in integer-heavy and older Cinebench workloads, but the Core 3 305 dominates modern multi-threaded rendering, encryption, and extended instruction workloads. The average benchmark scores reflect this: the i7-1355U sits at 18730, while the Core 3 305 sits at 18302. Both land in the 72nd and 73rd percentiles respectively, placing them within 0.2% of each other in overall standing.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 leads with 1852, while the Intel Core i7-1355U scores 1825. The delta is 1.5% in favor of the Core 3 305.

Q: How do the two compare in multithreaded Cinebench R20 performance?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 wins with 5511, beating the Intel Core i7-1355U's 4949. This represents a 10.2% advantage for the Core 3 305.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i7-1355U show its largest winning margin?

A: The i7-1355U wins PassMark integer math with 52002, which is 61% ahead of the Core 3 305's 32295. It also wins Cinebench R15 singlecore by 37.4%, scoring 255.5 versus 186.

Q: What is the overall average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U has an average benchmark score of 18730, and the Intel Core 3 305 has an average benchmark score of 18302. The i7 sits at the 73rd percentile while the Core 3 305 sits at the 72nd percentile.

Q: How does the Core 3 305 perform in PassMark single-thread tests?

A: The Core 3 305 scores 3977, which is 13.4% higher than the i7-1355U's 3444. The same result appears for both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries.

Q: Are these processors close in overall standing?

A: Yes. The i7-1355U's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-12400 with a 0.3% delta and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 with a -0.4% delta. The Core 3 305's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-14100 with a -0.1% delta and the Intel Core 5 330 with a -0.2% delta. Both processors compete in the same performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design eras. The Intel Core i7-1355U uses Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, built on the Raptor Lake-U codename. It belongs to the Core i7 generation. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on Intel's 3 nm process, with a Core 3 generation designation. This process difference is significant, as the 3 nm node offers density and efficiency advantages over the older 10 nm node.

Core counts differ substantially. The i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, which points to a simpler uniform core configuration. Thread count matches core count on the Core 3 305, while the i7-1355U provides two extra threads through Hyper-Threading or equivalent technology.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i7-1355U lists L1 cache as 80 KB per core, L2 as 1.25 MB per core, and L3 as 12 MB shared. The Core 3 305 lists L1 as 192 KB, L2 as 2.5 MB, and L3 as 6 MB shared. The i7-1355U offers more total L3 cache, while the Core 3 305 has a larger per-core L1 and L2 allocation.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-1355U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but operates on a single-channel memory bus. The Core 3 305 lists a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the i7-1355U has no recorded bandwidth figure. The single-channel limitation on the Core 3 305 may affect memory-sensitive workloads, though the recorded benchmarks show it winning most memory-heavy tasks anyway.

PCIe lanes differ: the i7-1355U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ. The i7-1355U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. No graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database, so no performance comparison can be made.

The sockets differ as well: the i7-1355U uses Intel BGA 1744, while the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516. These are not interchangeable platforms. Release dates show the i7-1355U arriving earlier, while the Core 3 305 is a later release. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production status.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most visible specification gap: 10 cores and 12 threads for the i7-1355U versus 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 3 305. Base clocks differ, with the i7-1355U at 1700 MHz and the Core 3 305 at 1500 MHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the i7-1355U reaching 5.00 GHz and the Core 3 305 reaching 4.30 GHz.

Process node favors the Core 3 305 at 3 nm, while the i7-1355U uses 10 nm. The i7-1355U supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bus width differs: dual-channel for the i7-1355U, single-channel for the Core 3 305. The Core 3 305 lists a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the i7-1355U has no recorded figure.

L3 cache favors the i7-1355U with 12 MB shared, versus 6 MB shared for the Core 3 305. L1 and L2 configurations differ as described above. PCIe lane counts differ: 8 lanes for the i7-1355U, 6 lanes for the Core 3 305. Sockets differ: BGA 1744 for the i7-1355U, BGA 1516 for the Core 3 305. Integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe Graphics 96EU for the i7-1355U, Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) for the Core 3 305.

The i7-1355U has a launch MSRP of $469. The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309. Both are mobile processors with 15 W TDP. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Neither supports ECC memory. The i7-1355U part number is SRMLY, and the Core 3 305 part number is SAE3L.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of strengths. The Intel Core i7-1355U is the better choice for integer math workloads, where its 61% lead in PassMark integer math is decisive. It also holds advantages in Cinebench R15 multicore and singlecore, and in data compression. Its 12 threads and 12 MB of L3 cache likely contribute to these wins.

The Intel Core 3 305 is the better choice for nearly everything else. It wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 36.9%, Cinebench R20 multicore by 10.2%, extended instructions by 35.6%, prime number finding by 55.7%, floating point math by 17.3%, physics by 28%, data encryption by 10.8%, PassMark multithread by 7.4%, and PassMark single-thread by 13.4%. Its single-thread performance in Cinebench R23 is also slightly ahead, by 1.5%.

For users running modern rendering workloads, encryption tasks, or extended instruction sets, the Core 3 305 is the stronger performer. For users with legacy single-threaded applications or integer-heavy calculations, the i7-1355U retains a meaningful edge. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 18730 versus 18302, so the overall tier is similar. The choice depends entirely on workload specifics. The Core 3 305 produces a wider range of wins with larger margins in modern tests, while the i7-1355U concentrates its advantages in older Cinebench tests and integer math. The Core 3 305 also offers the newer process node and higher memory bandwidth, though its single-channel memory bus and fewer cores may limit certain tasks. The i7-1355U counters with more threads, more L3 cache, and a higher boost clock. Both processors are currently active in production, so availability is not a concern. The recorded data favors the Core 3 305 for general-purpose modern workloads, with the i7-1355U remaining relevant for specific integer and compression tasks.