Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 3 305 does not register a single win in any measured test, with the Core Ultra 5 225T taking every category by margins ranging from 8.5% to 59.5%.

The smallest advantage appears in single-threaded workloads. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 4348 against the Core 3 305's 3977, a delta of 8.5%. Cinebench R23 single-core follows a similar pattern, with the Core Ultra 5 225T at 3101 versus 1852, a 40.3% margin. This suggests that while both processors benefit from high boost clocks, the Core Ultra 5 225T's 4.90 GHz boost clock compared to the Core 3 305's 4.30 GHz provides a measurable but relatively modest single-thread advantage.

Multi-threaded workloads show a much larger gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 225T delivers 21971 points against 13123 for the Core 3 305, a 40.3% difference. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the same relative gap: 9227 versus 5511, also 40.3%. Cinebench R15 multi-core carries the same percentage delta, 2214 against 1322. The consistency of this 40.3% margin across all three Cinebench versions indicates a stable scaling advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

PassMark integer math shows the Core Ultra 5 225T at 59543 versus 32295, a 45.8% lead. Floating-point math widens further, with 82751 against 42284, a 48.9% gap. The largest single delta appears in PassMark prime number finding, where the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 284 versus 115, a 59.5% advantage. This result reflects the substantial core-count disparity between the two parts, as prime-number workloads scale nearly linearly with available execution resources.

Data compression favors the Core Ultra 5 225T at 233998 versus 146857, a 37.2% lead. Encryption follows at 18289 versus 11019, a 39.8% gap. Extended instruction scores show the narrowest multi-threaded margin at 20083 versus 13543, a 32.6% difference. Physics simulation results place the Core Ultra 5 225T at 2053 against 1233, a 39.9% delta, while random string sorting shows 28774 versus 17623, a 38.8% gap. PassMark multithread overall records 25358 versus 15439, a 39.1% difference.

The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 225T is 30468, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 3 305 averages 18302, sitting in the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 5 225T include the Intel Core i9-11980HK at 30422 (0.2% lower), the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS at 30390 (0.3% lower), and the Intel Core i5-13600H at 30548 (0.3% higher). The Core 3 305's closest competitors include the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18318 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core 5 330 at 18345 (0.2% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E at 18230 (0.4% lower).

The Verdict

The data indicates a decisive performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T outperforms the Intel Core 3 305 in every recorded benchmark, with no exceptions across the 17 head-to-head tests. The performance gap ranges from 8.5% in single-threaded PassMark to 59.5% in prime-number computation, with most multi-threaded workloads clustering in the 37% to 49% range.

The Core Ultra 5 225T's 82nd percentile ranking versus the Core 3 305's 72nd percentile reflects this separation. The average benchmark score difference, 30468 against 18302, represents a 66.5% higher aggregate output for the Core Ultra 5 225T. Its nearest rivals are substantially faster processors, including the Core i9-11980HK and Core i5-13600H, while the Core 3 305 competes at the level of the Core i3-14100 and Core 5 330.

From the benchmark data alone, the Core Ultra 5 225T is the clear choice for any workload where raw compute throughput matters. The Core 3 305's only relative strength is its smaller single-thread deficit, yet even there it trails by 8.5% in PassMark and 40.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core. The processor's 6 cores and 6 threads, paired with a 1.50 GHz base clock, cannot compensate for the Core Ultra 5 225T's 10 cores, 10 threads, and 2.50 GHz base clock.

The production status of both parts is Active, and both are currently available according to the database. The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core Ultra 5 225T. The Core 3 305 released on 2026-04-15, while the Core Ultra 5 225T released on 2024-12-31.

Architecture Differences

The two processors employ different underlying designs despite sharing the same 3 nm process node. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, classified under the Core 3 generation, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses the Arrow Lake-S codename under the Arrow Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2.

Core configuration differs substantially. The Core 3 305 provides 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading support. The Core Ultra 5 225T provides 10 cores and 10 threads, also without hyper-threading but with 4 additional physical cores. This core count difference directly explains the multi-threaded benchmark margins.

Clock speeds favor the Core Ultra 5 225T on both ends. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 305, and its boost clock is 4.90 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. The higher base clock gives the Core Ultra 5 225T a sustained throughput advantage, while the higher boost clock provides an edge in bursty single-thread workloads.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. 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 225T lists L1 as 192 KB per core, L2 as 3 MB per core, and L3 as 20 MB shared. The L3 capacity difference, 20 MB versus 6 MB, is substantial and contributes to the Core Ultra 5 225T's advantage in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 3 305 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory through a single-channel interface, delivering 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 through a dual-channel interface, delivering 102.4 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 225T's memory bandwidth is 71.5% higher, a factor that benefits memory-bound workloads.

PCIe connectivity favors the Core Ultra 5 225T significantly. It provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 3 305 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). This difference affects expansion capability and potential throughput for discrete GPUs or NVMe storage.

The foundry differs between the two. The Core 3 305 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 225T is fabricated by TSMC. The Core Ultra 5 225T has recorded transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while no transistor count or die size is recorded for the Core 3 305.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 EU. Neither supports ECC memory. The Core 3 305 targets the Mobile market segment with an Intel BGA 1516 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 225T targets Desktop with an Intel Socket 1851. The Core 3 305 has a 15 TDP, the Core Ultra 5 225T has a 65 TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither processor supports additional threads beyond the physical core count.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T leads by 40.3% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. PassMark multithread shows a 39.1% lead, and PassMark integer math shows a 45.8% lead. Floating-point math shows a 48.9% gap.

Q: Is the single-thread performance difference smaller than the multi-thread difference?

A: Yes. In PassMark single-thread, the Core Ultra 5 225T leads by only 8.5%. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the lead expands to 40.3%, and in Cinebench R15 single-core it is 40.4%.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T delivers 102.4 GB/s through a dual-channel DDR5 interface, while the Core 3 305 delivers 59.7 GB/s through a single-channel interface supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 3 305 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225T also has 3 MB of L2 per core versus 2.5 MB total L2 for the Core 3 305.

Q: How do their database percentile rankings compare?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T sits in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 30468. The Core 3 305 sits in the 72nd percentile, with an average benchmark score of 18302.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins across every benchmark category recorded in the database. There are no tests where the Intel Core 3 305 produces a higher score. The Core Ultra 5 225T's wins span rendering workloads (Cinebench R15, R20, R23 in both single and multi-core), PassMark computational tests (integer math, floating-point math, prime numbers, extended instructions), data operations (compression, encryption, random string sorting), physics simulation, and aggregate multithread scoring.

The largest margins favor the Core Ultra 5 225T in computationally intensive integer and prime-number workloads, with deltas of 45.8% and 59.5% respectively. Floating-point math also shows a substantial gap at 48.9%. These results align with the Core Ultra 5 225T's additional 4 cores, higher base clock, larger cache pool, and dual-channel memory bandwidth.

The smallest margin appears in PassMark single-thread testing at 8.5%, indicating that the Core 3 305's single-core capabilities are comparatively closer to the Core Ultra 5 225T. However, Cinebench single-core tests contradict this, showing a 40.3% gap. The discrepancy suggests the PassMark single-thread test may not stress the architectural differences as heavily as Cinebench's rendering workload.

For users selecting between these two parts, the data provides no scenario where the Core 3 305 outperforms the Core Ultra 5 225T. The Core 3 305's lower TDP of 15 watts versus 65 watts indicates a power-oriented design, and its mobile socket and single-channel memory suggest a compact, low-power system profile. The Core Ultra 5 225T, with its desktop socket, 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, and dual-channel memory, targets higher-throughput desktop configurations.

The nearest-rival data contextualizes each processor differently. The Core Ultra 5 225T competes at the level of the Core i9-11980HK and Ryzen 5 7640HS, both within 0.3% of its average score. The Core 3 305 aligns with the Core i3-14100 and Core 5 330, within 0.2% of its average score. These reference points confirm that the performance gap between the two reviewed processors corresponds to a full performance tier in the database's CPU hierarchy.