Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V takes 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 305 wins 4. The margin of victory matters more than the raw count.

The Core Ultra 5 226V dominates in Cinebench R15 and R20. In R15 multicore, it scores 1501 against 1322 for the Core 3 305, an 11.9% advantage. The R15 single-core gap is far larger: 267 versus 186, a 30.3% lead. R20 multicore shows 6381 versus 5511 (13.6% ahead), and R20 single-core shows 900 versus 777 (13.7% ahead).

The Core 3 305 reverses the trend in Cinebench R23. Its multicore score of 13123 beats the Core Ultra 5 226V's 9848 by a substantial 33.3%. Single-core R23 also favors the Core 3 305, 1852 versus 1744, a 6.2% margin. This split between older and newer Cinebench versions indicates the Core 3 305 sustains performance differently under the R23 workload.

PassMark results mostly favor the Core Ultra 5 226V. Data compression: 170687 versus 146857, a 14% gap. Data encryption: 12710 versus 11019, 13.3% ahead. Extended instructions: 14724 versus 13543, an 8% edge. Prime number finding shows the largest PassMark delta at 30.7%, with 166 versus 115. Floating point math: 52270 versus 42284, 19.1% ahead. Integer math: 38647 versus 32295, 16.4% ahead. Multithread: 17850 versus 15439, 13.5% ahead. Physics: 1449 versus 1233, 14.9% ahead. Random string sorting: 20813 versus 17623, 15.3% ahead.

The Core 3 305 wins both PassMark single-thread entries, scoring 3977 against 3754, a 5.9% advantage. This aligns with its R23 single-core win, suggesting the Core 3 305 has a genuine single-thread strength in certain workloads despite losing the R15 and R20 single-core tests by wide margins.

Overall average benchmark scores place the Core Ultra 5 226V at 19368 versus 18302 for the Core 3 305. The Core Ultra 5 226V sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 305 sits at the 72nd. The Core 3 305's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18318 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core 5 330 at 18345 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core 7 360 at 18374 (0.4% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E at 18230 (0.4% lower). The Core Ultra 5 226V's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS at 19364 (0.0% delta), the Intel Core i5-1345U at 19411 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i7-8700K at 19238 (0.7% lower), and the Intel Core i7-10700F at 19499 (0.7% higher). These nearby scores show both processors sit in competitive performance bands.

Architecture Differences

The two chips share a 3 nm process node but use different foundries and designs. The Core 3 305 uses Intel as the foundry and carries the codename Wildcat Lake. It belongs to the Core 3 generation. The Core Ultra 5 226V uses TSMC as the foundry, carries the Lunar Lake codename, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2.

Core counts differ: the Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Neither supports Hyper-Threading, so thread counts equal core counts. Base clocks favor the Core Ultra 5 226V at 2.10 GHz versus 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 305. Boost clocks also favor the Core Ultra 5 226V at 4.50 GHz versus 4.30 GHz.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 226V lists 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The L2 per-core figure for the Core Ultra 5 226V implies 20 MB total across its 8 cores, a much larger pool than the Core 3 305's 2.5 MB total.

Memory support also splits. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 226V uses a dual-channel memory bus, with memory support listed as dependent on the motherboard. The Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core Ultra 5 226V uses Intel BGA 2833.

PCIe capabilities differ. The Core 3 305 offers Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 226V offers Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe unit, while the Core Ultra 5 226V uses Arc 130V.

The Core 3 305 launched on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $309. The Core Ultra 5 226V launched earlier on 2024-09-23 and has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are active production parts, both are mobile segments, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V records an average benchmark score of 19368, while the Intel Core 3 305 records 18302. The Core Ultra 5 226V also sits one percentile higher, at the 73rd percentile versus the 72nd.

Q: Why does the Core 3 305 win Cinebench R23 multicore by such a large margin?

A: The Core 3 305 scores 13123 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 33.3% ahead of the Core Ultra 5 226V's 9848. The data does not specify a cause, but the result is consistent across the single-core R23 test too, where the Core 3 305 leads by 6.2%. The older Cinebench R15 and R20 tests favor the Core Ultra 5 226V, so workload characteristics matter.

Q: How do the single-thread PassMark scores compare?

A: The Core 3 305 wins both PassMark single-thread entries with a score of 3977, while the Core Ultra 5 226V scores 3754. That is a 5.9% advantage for the Core 3 305.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each chip?

A: The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Neither processor uses simultaneous multithreading, so each core corresponds to one thread.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, which is 0.20 GHz higher than the Core 3 305's 4.30 GHz boost. The Core Ultra 5 226V also has a higher base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing node?

A: Both use a 3 nm process node, but they use different foundries. The Core 3 305 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 226V is fabricated by TSMC.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload priorities. The Core Ultra 5 226V wins the majority of benchmark tests, including all Cinebench R15 and R20 tests, plus most PassMark tests. Its 8 cores, higher clocks, dual-channel memory bus, and larger L2 cache per core likely contribute to these results, though the data does not explicitly confirm causality.

The Core 3 305 wins the newer Cinebench R23 tests and PassMark single-thread tests. Its R23 multicore margin of 33.3% is the largest single delta in the entire head-to-head set. This suggests the Core 3 305 handles the R23 workload particularly well, despite losing R15 and R20 multicore by 11.9% and 13.6% respectively.

For users running applications similar to Cinebench R23, the Core 3 305 appears stronger. For users running applications similar to Cinebench R15, R20, or the majority of PassMark tests, the Core Ultra 5 226V appears stronger. The overall average benchmark score favors the Core Ultra 5 226V, and its percentile rank is one point higher. The Core 3 305's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-14100, scores nearly identically at 18318, a 0.1% difference. The Core Ultra 5 226V's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS, scores 19364, a 0.0% difference.

The Core 3 305 has a higher launch MSRP of $309, while the Core Ultra 5 226V has no recorded launch MSRP. The Core 3 305 also uses a newer socket (Intel BGA 1516 versus Intel BGA 2833) and a different PCIe generation (Gen 4 versus Gen 5). Both are active mobile processors with no unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 305 | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) | Ultra 5 (Lunar Lake) |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | Depends on motherboard |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) | Arc 130V |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SAE3L | SRPMQSRPMR |

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 226V wins in most compute-heavy and throughput-oriented workloads. Its PassMark multithread score of 17850 versus 15439 indicates a 13.5% advantage in general multithreaded performance. Data compression, encryption, floating point math, integer math, and physics tests all favor the Core Ultra 5 226V with margins between 8% and 19.1%. Prime number finding shows its largest PassMark win at 30.7%. These results point toward workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth.

The Core 3 305 wins in two specific areas: Cinebench R23 and PassMark single-thread tests. Its R23 multicore score of 13123 versus 9848 is a 33.3% advantage, the largest delta in the dataset. Its R23 single-core score of 1852 versus 1744 gives a 6.2% edge. The PassMark single-thread score of 3977 versus 3754 adds a 5.9% win. These results suggest the Core 3 305 has a distinct strength in the R23 rendering workload and in single-threaded PassMark tasks.

The overall average benchmark scores put the Core Ultra 5 226V ahead at 19368 versus 18302. The Core 3 305 sits close to its nearest rivals in the database, with the Intel Core i3-14100 just 0.1% higher and the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E 0.4% lower. The Core Ultra 5 226V sits effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS at a 0.0% delta, while trailing the Intel Core i7-10700F by 0.7%.

For a mobile system where the workload matches Cinebench R23 or single-threaded PassMark tasks, the Core 3 305 holds the advantage. For broader multithreaded workloads, encryption, compression, and math-heavy tasks, the Core Ultra 5 226V wins consistently. The Core 3 305 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 226V offers PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes. The Core 3 305 has a recorded launch MSRP of $309, while the Core Ultra 5 226V has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are active production parts with no unlocked multiplier and no ECC support.