Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 3 305 does not record a single win in any test, with the Ultra 5 225 winning every single benchmark category by margins ranging from 9.9% to 67.9%.

The closest contest appears in the PassMark single-thread tests. The Core 3 305 scores 3977 while the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 4412, a delta of 9.9%. This remains the narrowest gap in the entire comparison. Both processors post identical scores on the duplicated passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries, confirming the measurement.

Cinebench R20 shows the smallest multicore difference. The Core 3 305 records 5511 against the Ultra 5 225's 6317, a 12.8% gap. The single-core R20 result mirrors this exactly, with the Ultra 5 225 ahead by 12.8% at 891 versus 777.

The widest gap appears in PassMark's find_prime_numbers test. The Core 3 305 scores 115, while the Ultra 5 225 reaches 358, a massive 67.9% deficit for the smaller chip. This suggests the Ultra 5 225's architecture handles integer-heavy prime computation with substantially greater efficiency.

Cinebench R15 multicore shows the Core 3 305 at 1322 against 2609 for the Ultra 5 225, a 49.3% difference. The R15 single-core test shows a similar 49.5% gap (186 versus 368). Cinebench R23 multicore repeats the 49.3% pattern (13123 versus 25891), and the R23 single-core result also lands at 49.3% (1852 versus 3655).

PassMark data compression favors the Ultra 5 225 by 51.5%, with scores of 302811 versus 146857. Data encryption shows a 50.6% edge (22285 versus 11019). Extended instructions deliver a 50.1% advantage (27162 versus 13543). Floating point math shows 92038 versus 42284, a 54.1% margin. Integer math records 65345 versus 32295, another 50.6% gap.

The multithread PassMark test shows 30459 versus 15439, a 49.3% difference. Physics scores 2342 versus 1233, a 47.4% margin. Random string sorting shows 36590 versus 17623, a 51.8% difference.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The Core 3 305 averages 18302 points and sits in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 5 225 averages 36938 points and reaches the 85th percentile. The Ultra 5 225's average is roughly double that of the Core 3 305.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins every single benchmark in the comparison, with no exceptions. The Core 3 305 cannot claim a single victory in any test, making the performance ranking unambiguous.

The Core Ultra 5 225's nearest rivals provide context for its standing. Its average benchmark score of 36938 places it essentially level with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, which scores 36945 with a delta of 0%. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D trails by 0.2% at 37018. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 sits 0.4% behind at 37093, and the Intel Core i9-12900T also trails by 0.5% at 37112. This places the Ultra 5 225 in a competitive tier with established desktop processors.

The Core 3 305's nearest rivals show a different picture. The Intel Core i3-14100 scores 18318, a 0.1% edge over the Core 3 305's 18302. The Intel Core 5 330 scores 18345, 0.2% ahead. The Intel Core 7 360 scores 18374, 0.4% ahead. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E scores 18230, placing the Core 3 305 0.4% ahead of it. The Core 3 305 sits in a tightly packed group where none of the rivals hold a significant edge.

For anyone choosing between these two specific processors, the benchmark data points exclusively to the Core Ultra 5 225. Its wins span every category: single-core, multi-core, integer, floating point, encryption, compression, physics, and sorting. The only question is the magnitude of the advantage, which varies from a modest 9.9% in single-threaded PassMark to a dominant 67.9% in prime number finding.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 3 nm process node but differ fundamentally in nearly every other architectural detail. The Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built by Intel's own foundry. The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake-S codename under the Arrow Lake architecture and is fabricated by TSMC. The Ultra 5 225 contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 3 305 has no recorded transistor count or die size.

Core and thread counts establish a major divide. The Core 3 305 provides 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Core Ultra 5 225 provides 10 cores and 10 threads, also without multithreading but with four additional physical cores. This explains much of the multicore benchmark gap.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The shared L3 advantage of 20 MB versus 6 MB represents a significant capacity difference for workloads that benefit from large on-die caches.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 3 305 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The bandwidth difference is substantial and likely contributes to the performance gap in memory-sensitive tests.

PCIe connectivity shows a generation and lane count difference. The Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 225 provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The socket also differs: the Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Integrated graphics differ in brand and configuration. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. Both remain integrated solutions, but the Ultra 5 225's implementation carries a different name and a more extensive execution unit count.

Clock speeds show a clear separation. The Core 3 305 has a 1.50 GHz base clock and a 4.30 GHz boost clock. The Core Ultra 5 225 has a 3.30 GHz base clock and a 4.90 GHz boost clock. The higher base clock of the Ultra 5 225 is particularly notable, as it represents a 2.2 GHz difference at idle-to-load transition points.

Thermal design power differs by 50 watts. The Core 3 305 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core Ultra 5 225 has a TDP of 65 watts. This reflects their different market segments: the Core 3 305 targets mobile devices, while the Ultra 5 225 targets desktop systems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 305 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core 3 305 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 have ECC memory support recorded as false.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth over a single-channel bus, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 102.4 GB/s over a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938, while the Intel Core 3 305 has an average benchmark score of 18302.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Core 3 305 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 have a production status of Active.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its largest advantage appears in find_prime_numbers (67.9%), followed by floating point math (54.1%), random string sorting (51.8%), data compression (51.5%), data encryption (50.6%), and integer math (50.6%). These results indicate strength across numerical computation, memory manipulation, and data transformation workloads.

The smallest Ultra 5 225 advantage appears in single-threaded PassMark tests at 9.9%. This suggests that the Core 3 305's single-core performance is comparatively closer to the Ultra 5 225 than its multicore performance. Single-threaded responsiveness may be the least differentiated area between the two.

Cinebench R20 scores show a more moderate 12.8% gap in both single and multicore tests. This differs from the roughly 49% gaps seen in Cinebench R15 and R23. The R20 test appears to produce a different relative outcome than its sibling benchmarks, possibly due to different workload characteristics or scaling behavior.

The Core 3 305 does not achieve a win in any category, meaning there is no benchmark in the recorded data where it outperforms the Core Ultra 5 225. Its role as a mobile processor with a 15 watt TDP and 6 cores places it in a different performance envelope entirely.

For workloads that stress integer computation, prime finding, compression, encryption, physics simulation, or floating point math, the Ultra 5 225 holds commanding leads. For light single-threaded tasks, the gap narrows but still favors the Ultra 5 225.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.30 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. TDP is 15 watts versus 65 watts.

Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 305, Intel Socket 1851 for the Ultra 5 225. The codenames differ as well: Wildcat Lake versus Arrow Lake-S. The Ultra 5 225 belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and the Arrow Lake architecture, while the Core 3 305 has no recorded architecture field beyond its Wildcat Lake codename.

The process node is shared at 3 nm, but the foundry differs: Intel for the Core 3 305, TSMC for the Ultra 5 225. The Ultra 5 225 records 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size, while the Core 3 305 has no transistor count or die size data.

Cache layouts differ in L2 and L3. The Core 3 305 has 2.5 MB of L2 and 6 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 225 has 3 MB of L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3. L1 is recorded as 192 KB for the Core 3 305 and 192 KB per core for the Ultra 5 225.

Memory support differs: DDR5 and LPDDR5X for the Core 3 305, DDR5 only for the Ultra 5 225. Memory bus is single-channel versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 4 with 6 lanes versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) for the Core 3 305, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU for the Ultra 5 225. Market segments differ: Mobile for the Core 3 305, Desktop for the Ultra 5 225. Release dates differ, with the Ultra 5 225 releasing earlier than the Core 3 305. The launch MSRP for the Core 3 305 is $309, while the launch MSRP for the Ultra 5 225 is $246. Both processors have locked multipliers. Neither supports ECC memory.