Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T, which wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 3 305. The most dramatic margins appear in compute-heavy workloads, with the Ultra 5 doubling the Core 3 in several Cinebench tests.

In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ultra 5 scores 26232 versus 13123 for the Core 3, a 50% advantage. The single-core R23 result follows the same pattern: 3703 versus 1852, again a 50% gap. Cinebench R20 mirrors these results exactly, with the Ultra 5 at 11017 multicore and 1555 single-core against 5511 and 777 for the Core 3, both 50% deltas. Cinebench R15 shows identical 50% and 50.1% deltas, with scores of 2644 and 373 for the Ultra 5 compared to 1322 and 186 for the Core 3.

PassMark integer math shows one of the largest gaps: the Ultra 5 produces 84244 versus 32295, a 61.7% lead. Floating point math is similarly lopsided at 106546 against 42284, a 60.3% delta. Prime number finding shows the biggest percentage difference of all, with the Ultra 5 at 318 versus 115 for the Core 3, a 63.8% advantage.

Data compression scores 295100 for the Ultra 5 versus 146857 for the Core 3, a 50.2% delta. Data encryption shows a 53% gap, with 23457 against 11019. Random string sorting delivers 35377 versus 17623, a 50.2% difference. Extended instructions score 23212 for the Ultra 5 versus 13543, a 41.7% delta, while the physics test shows a 42.8% gap at 2157 against 1233.

The closest contest appears in PassMark single-thread performance. The Ultra 5 scores 4339 versus 3977 for the Core 3, a modest 8.3% delta. This indicates that while the Ultra 5 holds a clear advantage even in lightly threaded work, its dominance grows substantially as core count and thread utilization increase. The multithread PassMark score confirms this: 30918 for the Ultra 5 versus 15439, a 50.1% gap.

The average benchmark score tells the broader story. The Core 3 305 averages 18302 across all tests, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core Ultra 5 235T averages 38561, placing it in the 86th percentile. That puts the Ultra 5 at roughly 110% above the Core 3 in average score, a massive separation between two current-generation Intel parts.

Nearest rival data provides context for each processor individually. The Core 3 305 sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E (18230) and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i3-14100 (18318). It trails the Intel Core 5 330 (18345) by 0.2% and the Intel Core 7 360 (18374) by 0.4%. The Core Ultra 5 235T, by contrast, leads its nearest rivals: it is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14500 (38531), 0.4% ahead of the Intel Xeon w3-2525 (38392), 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core 9 270H (38335), and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H (38312).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins all 17 head-to-head tests against the Intel Core 3 305, with zero wins recorded for the Core 3.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 scores 318 versus 115 for the Core 3, a 63.8% advantage. Integer math also shows a large gap at 61.7%.

Q: How close is single-thread performance between the two?

A: Single-thread performance is the closest category. PassMark single-thread scores 4339 for the Ultra 5 versus 3977 for the Core 3, an 8.3% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a larger 50% gap, however, with 3703 versus 1852.

Q: How do the two processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Core 3 305 sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i3-14100. The Core Ultra 5 235T leads its nearest rivals, sitting 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14500 and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235T has an average benchmark score of 38561, while the Core 3 305 averages 18302. This places the Ultra 5 in the 86th percentile of all CPUs and the Core 3 in the 72nd percentile.

Q: Are the Cinebench deltas consistent across all versions?

A: Yes, the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests all show exactly 50% deltas between the two processors. Single-core deltas are 50% in R20 and R23, and 50.1% in R15.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages within Intel's current portfolio. The Intel Core 3 305 belongs to the Wildcat Lake generation, built on Intel's 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is an Arrow Lake-S part, also on a 3 nm node, but fabricated by TSMC. The foundry difference represents a significant strategic split, with Intel producing one chip in-house and contracting the other to an external manufacturer.

The Core 3 305 uses 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The Core Ultra 5 235T doubles the core count to 14 and also runs 14 threads, again without hyperthreading. Both processors keep thread counts equal to core counts, but the Ultra 5 offers more than twice the parallel execution resources.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 235T lists 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The per-core L2 specification for the Ultra 5 suggests a much larger aggregate cache pool across its 14 cores, and the 24 MB shared L3 quadruples the Core 3's 6 MB allocation.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 3 305 pairs with Intel Xe3 Graphics featuring 1 Xe core. The Core Ultra 5 235T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units. The graphics architecture generations differ, with the Core 3 using the newer Xe3 designation while the Ultra 5 uses the Xe-LPG design.

Memory architecture separates the two as well. The Core 3 305 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X across a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 235T supports DDR5 only, but runs dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, nearly double the throughput.

PCIe capability shows another generational divide. The Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 235T delivers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, offering both newer signaling and more lanes for expansion.

The socket situation differs completely. The Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516, a mobile package. The Core Ultra 5 235T uses Intel Socket 1851, a desktop platform. This aligns with their market segments: the Core 3 is marked as Mobile, while the Ultra 5 is a Desktop part.

Transistor counts and die size are recorded only for the Ultra 5: 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. No such data exists for the Core 3 in the database.

Specification Differences

The base clock rates differ, with the Core 3 305 running at 1.50 GHz and the Core Ultra 5 235T at 2.20 GHz. Boost clocks show a larger gap: 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 versus 5.00 GHz for the Ultra 5.

Thermal design power differs by a factor of more than four. The Core 3 305 is rated at 15 watts, while the Core Ultra 5 235T carries a 65 watt TDP. This reflects the Ultra 5's larger core count and higher clock speeds, alongside its desktop-oriented power envelope.

The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads. Both lack hyperthreading, but the Ultra 5 provides 8 additional physical cores.

Memory support differs in type and channel configuration. The Core 3 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single channel. The Ultra 5 supports DDR5 on dual channels. Memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s for the Core 3 versus 102.4 GB/s for the Ultra 5.

PCIe specifications differ in both generation and lane count. The Core 3 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Socket and market segment differ completely. The Core 3 uses Intel BGA 1516 and targets mobile. The Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851 and targets desktop. Production status for both is Active.

The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309. The Core Ultra 5 235T has a launch MSRP of $247. Release dates differ, with the Ultra 5 released in January 2025 and the Core 3 in April 2026.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Neither supports ECC memory. The Core 3 uses Intel as its foundry, while the Ultra 5 uses TSMC. The Core 3 lists no transistor count or die size in the database, while the Ultra 5 records 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear separation between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T outperforms the Intel Core 3 305 across every measured benchmark, with no exceptions. The average benchmark score of 38561 versus 18302 places the Ultra 5 in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 sits in the 72nd percentile.

The Ultra 5's advantages extend beyond raw compute. It offers 14 cores versus 6, a 5.00 GHz boost versus 4.30 GHz, dual-channel memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth versus single-channel 59.7 GB/s, and Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes versus Gen 4 with 6. These specification differences compound the benchmark results, suggesting the Ultra 5 will maintain its lead in workloads that scale with memory bandwidth or expansion capability.

The Core 3 305 does hold advantages in power efficiency. Its 15 watt TDP is dramatically lower than the Ultra 5's 65 watts, making it suitable for constrained mobile chassis. The Core 3 also supports LPDDR5X memory, which the Ultra 5 does not. For users prioritizing battery life and low heat output over performance, the Core 3 remains a viable option despite its benchmark deficit.

The single-thread PassMark result, with only an 8.3% delta, indicates that the Core 3's Wildcat Lake architecture delivers respectable per-core performance. The gap widens sharply in multicore tests, however, where the Ultra 5's additional 8 cores provide a 50% or greater advantage in every Cinebench test and most PassMark workloads.

The nearest rival data reinforces the positioning. The Core 3 305 trades blows with the Intel Core i3-14100 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, both within 0.4% of its average score. The Ultra 5 235T leads its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i5-14500 and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, by margins ranging from 0.1% to 0.7%. This suggests the Ultra 5 sits at the top of its performance class, while the Core 3 occupies a more crowded mid-range bracket.

For desktop workloads requiring maximum throughput, the Core Ultra 5 235T is the clear choice based on the benchmark data. For mobile applications where power draw and compact packaging take priority, the Core 3 305 offers a lower-power alternative with a newer graphics architecture. The data does not support any scenario where the Core 3 outperforms the Ultra 5 in compute performance, but the 15 watt TDP and BGA 1516 socket target completely different use cases. The verdict depends entirely on whether the use case demands the Ultra 5's performance or the Core 3's efficiency.