Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison
Intel Core 3 305
Core Ultra 3 105UL
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The comparison data shows a decisive overall result: the Intel Core 3 305 wins 16 of the 17 recorded benchmark tests against the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL. The average benchmark score for the Core 3 305 is 18302, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL averages 13061, good for the 68th percentile.
The largest margins appear in instruction-heavy workloads. In the PassMark extended instructions test, the Core 3 305 scores 13543 against 5634 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, a 140.4% advantage. The prime number search test shows a 161.4% lead (115 versus 44). These two results indicate a substantial difference in raw execution efficiency for specialized workloads.
Cinebench results reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 3 305 scores 13123, which is 50.1% higher than the 8742 from the Core Ultra 3 105UL. The single-core R23 result shows 1852 versus 1234, also a 50.1% gap. The R20 and R15 tests follow the same trajectory: multicore deltas of 50.1% and 50%, single-core deltas of 50% and 50% respectively. Every Cinebench generation confirms the same relative standing.
PassMark multithread performance gives the Core 3 305 a score of 15439, ahead of the Core Ultra 3 105UL's 10285 by 50.1%. Physics simulation shows 1233 versus 718, a 71.7% lead. Data encryption scores 11019 against 6354, a 73.4% difference. Data compression favors the Core 3 305 at 146857 versus 93961, a 56.3% edge. Random string sorting produces 17623 against 11179, a 57.6% margin. Floating point math delivers 42284 versus 30750, a 37.5% advantage.
The single exception is PassMark integer math. Here the Core Ultra 3 105UL scores 41171, which beats the Core 3 305's 32295 by 21.6%. This is the only test where the Core Ultra 3 105UL takes the win, and it stands alone against the otherwise consistent lead of the Core 3 305.
Single-thread PassMark results show a narrower gap. The Core 3 305 scores 3977 against 3382, a 17.6% advantage. This smaller delta suggests the two processors are closer in lightly threaded scenarios than in heavily threaded or vectorized workloads.
The Verdict
The recorded data points to the Intel Core 3 305 as the stronger processor for almost every measured workload. Its 16 benchmark wins include all Cinebench tests, all PassMark tests except integer math, and the multithread and single-thread aggregate scores. The Core Ultra 3 105UL demonstrates one clear strength in integer math, where it outperforms by 21.6%, but it cannot match the Core 3 305 elsewhere.
The Core 3 305 also holds a higher percentile ranking at 72 compared to 68, and its average benchmark score of 18302 is roughly 40% above the 13061 of the Core Ultra 3 105UL. For users selecting based on measured performance, the Core 3 305 is the better choice across rendering, compression, encryption, physics, and most math operations. The Core Ultra 3 105UL would only be the preferred option in scenarios dominated by integer arithmetic, where its 21.6% lead in that specific test could matter.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel product lines and manufacturing nodes. The Intel Core 3 305 is built on a 3 nm process and uses the Wildcat Lake codename, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses a 7 nm process with the Meteor Lake-PS codename and Meteor Lake architecture. Both are fabricated by Intel.
Core counts differ: the Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads. Despite having fewer cores and threads, the Core 3 305 consistently outpaces the Core Ultra 3 105UL in multi-threaded benchmarks. The Core 3 305 reaches a boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 4.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, while both share a 1.50 GHz base clock.
Cache configurations also differ. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 3 105UL lists L1 as 112 KB per core, L2 as 2 MB per core, and 10 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 3 105UL carries more L3 cache overall, but the Core 3 305 still wins the benchmark comparisons.
The integrated graphics differ. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has Arc Xe-LPG with 48 execution units. Memory support also diverges: the Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 3 105UL offers greater memory bandwidth and more PCIe lanes (Gen 4, 8 lanes versus Gen 4, 6 lanes for the Core 3 305).
The Core 3 305 uses an Intel BGA 1516 socket and is classified as a mobile segment part. The Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Intel Socket 1851 and is classified as a desktop part. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 305 launched later, with a release date in April 2026, compared to April 2024 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL.
FAQ
Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?
A: The Intel Core 3 305 wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL wins only one, the PassMark integer math test.
Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?
A: The Core 3 305 has an average benchmark score of 18302, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL averages 13061. The Core 3 305 sits in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, and the Core Ultra 3 105UL sits in the 68th percentile.
Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23?
A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 3 305 scores 13123 versus 8742 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, a 50.1% advantage. In single-core, the Core 3 305 scores 1852 against 1234, also a 50.1% gap.
Q: Does the Core Ultra 3 105UL win any test?
A: Yes, it wins PassMark integer math with a score of 41171 against 32295 for the Core 3 305, a 21.6% lead.
Q: Which processor has more cores?
A: The Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads, while the Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core 3 305 still wins the multithread benchmark by 50.1%.
Q: What are the process nodes?
A: The Core 3 305 is built on a 3 nm process, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL uses a 7 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core 3 305 dominates rendering workloads. Every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, shows a 50% or 50.1% advantage in both single-core and multicore configurations. This makes it the clear choice for tasks that rely on Cinebench-style rendering performance.
The Core 3 305 also wins in data compression (56.3% ahead), data encryption (73.4% ahead), floating point math (37.5% ahead), physics simulation (71.7% ahead), and random string sorting (57.6% ahead). PassMark multithread performance favors it by 50.1%, and single-thread performance by 17.6%. The extended instructions test shows a 140.4% lead, and the prime number search test shows a 161.4% lead.
The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL has exactly one benchmark win: PassMark integer math. With a score of 41171 versus 32295, it holds a 21.6% edge in this specific workload. This suggests that integer-heavy arithmetic operations, such as certain types of data processing or calculations, run better on the Core Ultra 3 105UL. Outside of that single test, the recorded data gives no other wins to this processor.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across several specification fields. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads. Boost clocks show 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 305 and 4.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, with both at a 1.50 GHz base clock.
Process node: 3 nm for the Core 3 305, 7 nm for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. The Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, the Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Meteor Lake-PS and the Meteor Lake architecture. Cache sizes differ: L1 is 192 KB for the Core 3 305 versus 112 KB per core for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, L2 is 2.5 MB versus 2 MB per core, and L3 is 6 MB shared versus 10 MB shared.
Memory support differs: the Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe lanes: Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 3 305, Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. Integrated graphics: Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core versus Arc Xe-LPG with 48 EU. Sockets: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 305, Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. Market segment: Mobile for the Core 3 305, Desktop for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. Release dates: April 2026 for the Core 3 305, April 2024 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The launch MSRP is $309 for the Core 3 305 and $295 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL.