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

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 305 and Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA occupy different positions in the database, and the recorded benchmark data draws a clear line between their intended workloads. The Core 3 305 is a mobile processor built on the Wildcat Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 235TA is a desktop part from the Arrow Lake family. Their benchmark results, however, are not directly comparable in a head-to-head sense because the Ultra 5 235TA has no recorded scores in the database. That absence itself is informative: the Core 3 305 has a full set of Cinebench and PassMark results, while the Ultra 5 235TA arrives with an empty benchmark array.

What the data shows is that the Core 3 305 wins in every category where measurements exist, simply because it is the only one of the two with recorded scores. Its average benchmark score stands at 18302, placing it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Ultra 5 235TA, by contrast, holds a 50th percentile ranking with an average score of zero, which reflects the lack of tested workloads rather than a true performance assessment.

The Core 3 305 delivers strong single-thread performance in Cinebench R23, scoring 1852 in the single-core test and 13123 in the multi-core test. Its Cinebench R20 results are 777 for single-core and 5511 for multi-core, while Cinebench R15 shows 186 and 1322 respectively. PassMark tests further detail its strengths: integer math at 32295, floating point math at 42284, extended instructions at 13543, and data compression at 146857. The data encryption score is 11019, find prime numbers sits at 115, and random string sorting reaches 17623. The processor also records a PassMark single-thread score of 3977 and a multithread score of 15439.

The nearest rivals for the Core 3 305 provide context. The Intel Core i3-14100 averages 18318, which is 0.1% higher than the Core 3 305's 18302. The Intel Core 5 330 averages 18345, sitting 0.2% higher. The Intel Core 7 360 averages 18374, a 0.4% advantage. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E trails at 18230, which is 0.4% lower than the Core 3 305. These narrow deltas indicate that the Core 3 305 clusters tightly with mid-range CPUs from the same generation, neither dominating nor being dominated by its immediate competitors.

For the Ultra 5 235TA, the absence of benchmark data means the database cannot assign it any wins. What the specifications suggest, however, is a different use case. With 14 cores and 14 threads, a base clock of 2.20 GHz, a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, and a TDP of 65 watts, this desktop processor targets sustained multi-threaded workloads. The Core 3 305, with 6 cores and 6 threads, a 1.50 GHz base clock, a 4.30 GHz boost clock, and a 15-watt TDP, targets efficiency and portability. The data indicates that the Core 3 305 wins in all measured benchmarks, while the Ultra 5 235TA wins in specifications that favor desktop-class throughput, though those specifications have not yet been validated by recorded test scores.

The Verdict

The recorded data places the Intel Core 3 305 as the only one of the two with measurable benchmark performance. Its average score of 18302 places it at the 72nd percentile, and its nearest rivals all fall within a 0.4% range of that figure. For users selecting a processor based on tested performance, the Core 3 305 delivers verified results across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and a wide array of PassMark workloads. Its single-thread Cinebench R23 score of 1852 indicates strong responsiveness for lightly threaded applications, while its multi-core score of 13123 shows capable parallel throughput for a 6-core, 6-thread part.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark scores, so the database cannot confirm its performance in any workload. Its specifications indicate a desktop processor with 14 cores, 14 threads, a 5.00 GHz boost clock, and a 65-watt TDP. The memory bus is dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth, and the PCIe interface supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes. These features point toward a processor designed for higher-bandwidth desktop tasks, but without test data, the database treats its average score as zero and its percentile as 50.

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on whether the user prioritizes verified benchmark results or unverified desktop specifications. The Core 3 305 is the only option with recorded data, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 5 235TA, despite its larger core count and higher clocks, cannot claim any measured advantage in the database. The data does not support a performance recommendation for the Ultra 5 235TA because no performance has been recorded. Instead, the database shows a mobile processor with a full test profile and a desktop processor awaiting evaluation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark array between the Intel Core 3 305 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA is empty. There are no direct comparison scores in the database, and the wins counter shows zero for both processors. This means no single test pits the two against each other with recorded results. The only benchmark data available belongs to the Core 3 305, which has 17 recorded scores across Cinebench and PassMark suites.

For the Core 3 305, the largest margins in the database come from its Cinebench multi-core results. The R23 multi-core score of 13123 far exceeds the R23 single-core score of 1852, a ratio of roughly 7.1 to 1. This indicates that the processor scales well across its 6 cores, despite having no hyper-threading. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score of 5511 compares to a single-core score of 777, a ratio of about 7.1 to 1. Cinebench R15 shows a similar pattern with 1322 multi-core against 186 single-core.

PassMark tests reveal different strengths. The data compression score of 146857 is the highest among the PassMark results, followed by floating point math at 42284 and integer math at 32295. The multithread score of 15439 and single-thread score of 3977 show a ratio of roughly 3.9 to 1, which is lower than the Cinebench ratios. This suggests that some PassMark workloads do not scale as efficiently across all cores. The extended instructions score of 13543 and data encryption score of 11019 sit in the middle range, while random string sorting at 17623 and find prime numbers at 115 round out the lower end.

Because the Ultra 5 235TA has no scores, the database cannot compare its performance directly. The nearest rivals for the Core 3 305, however, provide a reference frame. The Core i3-14100 at 18318 is 0.1% ahead, the Core 5 330 at 18345 is 0.2% ahead, and the Core 7 360 at 18374 is 0.4% ahead. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E at 18230 is 0.4% behind. These deltas are small enough that benchmark variance could reorder them, but the data as recorded places the Core 3 305 in a tight competitive cluster.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has recorded benchmark scores in the database?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has 17 recorded benchmark scores, including Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and multiple PassMark tests. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA has no recorded benchmark scores, with an empty benchmark array and an average score of zero.

Q: How does the Core 3 305 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core 3 305 averages 18302, which is 0.1% below the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18318, 0.2% below the Intel Core 5 330 at 18345, and 0.4% below the Intel Core 7 360 at 18374. It sits 0.4% above the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E at 18230.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: What are the clock speeds listed for each processor?

A: The Core 3 305 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Ultra 5 235TA has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core 3 305 has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: What memory support does each processor offer?

A: The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ultra 5 235TA supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: What is the cache configuration for each processor?

A: The Core 3 305 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 235TA has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture, manufactured by Intel on a 3 nm process. It carries the Core 3 generation label and uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket. The processor has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyper-threading support. Its integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The memory controller supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory in a single-channel configuration, delivering 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The processor does not support ECC memory. The production status is listed as active, with a release date of 2026-04-15.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically the Arrow Lake-S variant, and is manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation and uses the Intel Socket 1851. The processor has 14 cores and 14 threads, with no hyper-threading indicated. Its integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The memory controller supports DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The processor does not support ECC memory. The production status is active, with a release date of 2025-07-28.

The transistor count and die size differ significantly. The Ultra 5 235TA lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 3 305 has no recorded transistor count or die size. The cache hierarchy also differs: the Core 3 305 provides 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3, while the Ultra 5 235TA provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache and per-core L2 allocation on the Ultra 5 235TA suggest a design aimed at keeping more data closer to the cores, which aligns with its desktop positioning.

The market segments reflect the architectural intent. The Core 3 305 is classified as a mobile processor, while the Ultra 5 235TA is classified as a desktop processor. The mobile designation pairs with the 15-watt TDP and BGA socket, while the desktop designation pairs with the 65-watt TDP and Socket 1851. The process node is the same at 3 nm for both, but the foundry differs: Intel for the Core 3 305 and TSMC for the Ultra 5 235TA.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field in the database. The Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ultra 5 235TA has 14 cores and 14 threads. The base clock is 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 305 and 2.20 GHz for the Ultra 5 235TA. The boost clock is 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 305 and 5.00 GHz for the Ultra 5 235TA. The TDP is 15 watts for the Core 3 305 and 65 watts for the Ultra 5 235TA.

The socket differs: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 305 and Intel Socket 1851 for the Ultra 5 235TA. The cache hierarchy diverges as well, with the Core 3 305 carrying 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3, while the Ultra 5 235TA carries 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs: the Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus, while the Ultra 5 235TA supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus. Memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s for the Core 3 305 and 102.4 GB/s for the Ultra 5 235TA. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 3 305 and Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Ultra 5 235TA. Integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core for the Core 3 305 and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units for the Ultra 5 235TA.

The market segment, release date, and launch MSRP also differ. The Core 3 305 is a mobile part released on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $309. The Ultra 5 235TA is a desktop part released on 2025-07-28 with a launch MSRP of $269. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SAE3L for the Core 3 305 and SRWPP for the Ultra 5 235TA. The production status for both is listed as active.