Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison
Intel Core 3 305
Core Ultra 7 268V
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 3 305 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark split between these two mobile processors is overwhelmingly one-sided, but the single win for the Intel Core 3 305 is significant. The Core 3 305 takes the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 13123 against 10653 for the Core Ultra 7 268V, a 23.2% advantage. This is the only test out of 17 head-to-head comparisons where the Core 3 305 comes out ahead.
Every other recorded benchmark favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V. The margin ranges from a narrow 1.8% in PassMark single-thread performance to a dominant 40.1% in PassMark find prime numbers. The Core Ultra 7 268V wins all Cinebench R15 and R20 tests, both single-core and multi-core, with margins between 18.2% and 36.5%. In the PassMark suite, it takes data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting.
The use-case picture is clear. For heavily threaded workloads that scale with core count and sustained throughput, the Core Ultra 7 268V is the stronger part. For the specific Cinebench R23 multi-core render test, the Core 3 305 shows an unexpected advantage, suggesting its architecture manages that particular workload more efficiently despite having fewer cores.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V has an average benchmark score of 20897, while the Intel Core 3 305 averages 18302. The Ultra 7 sits at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Core 3.
Q: How does single-core performance compare?
A: The Core Ultra 7 268V leads in single-core tests. It scores 293 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 186 for the Core 3 305, a 36.5% gap. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin narrows to 3.6%, with scores of 1921 and 1852 respectively.
Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each chip?
A: The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Neither processor supports simultaneous multithreading.
Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 305 reaches 4.30 GHz. The base clocks are 2.20 GHz and 1.50 GHz respectively.
Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?
A: Both use a 3 nm process node, but the foundries differ. The Core 3 305 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 7 268V is manufactured by TSMC.
Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest single benchmark gap belongs to the Core Ultra 7 268V in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 293 against 186, a 36.5% lead. That test measures raw single-thread responsiveness and heavily favors the higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, with the Ultra 7 scoring 972 versus 777, a 20.1% margin.
In multi-core Cinebench R15, the Ultra 7 scores 1616 against 1322, an 18.2% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 20% gap, with scores of 6887 and 5511. The PassMark suite repeats this pattern. Floating point math favors the Ultra 7 by 26.6%, with scores of 57628 and 42284. Integer math shows a 24.3% lead for the Ultra 7, 42669 to 32295. Physics tests give the Ultra 7 a 23.7% edge, 1617 to 1233.
The most lopsided result is PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 7 scores 192 against 115, a 40.1% delta. Data compression favors the Ultra 7 by 19.1%, and data encryption by 20%. Extended instructions show a smaller 11.6% gap, 15323 to 13543. Random string sorting gives the Ultra 7 a 21.4% lead, 22416 to 17623.
The single Core 3 305 victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is notable because it is the only test where the 8-core, higher-clocked chip loses. The Core 3 305 scores 13123, the Ultra 7 scores 10653. This 23.2% swing contradicts the trend from R15 and R20 multi-core, where the Ultra 7 led by roughly 20%. The R23 result suggests the Core 3 305 has an architectural advantage in longer, sustained multi-threaded render workloads.
PassMark single-thread performance is nearly identical. The Ultra 7 scores 4051, the Core 3 scores 3977, a 1.8% difference. This is the closest head-to-head result in the dataset and indicates that for basic single-threaded tasks, the two processors are effectively interchangeable.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several core specifications. The Core 3 305 uses 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 268V uses 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 and 2.20 GHz for the Ultra 7. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively.
Thermal design power differs slightly, with the Core 3 rated at 15 and the Ultra 7 at 17. Both processors are locked, with no unlocked multiplier available.
The sockets are different. The Core 3 305 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core Ultra 7 268V uses Intel BGA 2833.
Memory support differs. The Core 3 305 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Ultra 7 268V has a dual-channel memory bus, but its memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, with no bandwidth figure recorded.
PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 3 305 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The Ultra 7 268V provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.
Integrated graphics are different. The Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Ultra 7 268V uses Arc 140V.
Release dates differ. The Core 3 305 launched on 2026-04-15, while the Ultra 7 268V launched on 2024-09-23. The Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Ultra 7. Both are active production parts for the mobile market.
Architecture Differences
The Core 3 305 is based on Wildcat Lake, belonging to the Core 3 generation. The Core Ultra 7 268V uses Lunar Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2. Both are built on a 3 nm process, but the foundry differs: Intel fabricates the Core 3 305, while TSMC fabricates the Ultra 7 268V.
Cache organization differs significantly. 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 7 268V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core L2 allocation on the Ultra 7 gives it substantially more total L2 capacity across its 8 cores compared to the lump-sum 2.5 MB on the 6-core Core 3.
The integrated graphics architectures are distinct. The Core 3 305 uses Xe3 Graphics with a single Xe core, reflecting its Wildcat Lake design. The Ultra 7 268V uses Arc 140V, a higher-tier GPU solution that aligns with its Lunar Lake positioning. The part numbers also differ, with the Core 3 listed as SAE3L and the Ultra 7 listed as SRPMLSRPMX.
Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both are aimed at the mobile segment and are currently in active production.
The Verdict
The recorded data points to the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V as the stronger overall processor. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and holds a higher average score of 20897 against 18302 for the Core 3 305. Its percentile ranking of 74 versus 72 confirms the gap, though both sit in a similar performance band.
The Core Ultra 7 268V is the choice for users who need consistent multi-threaded throughput, faster single-core response, and better performance across encryption, compression, and math-heavy workloads. Its 8 cores, 12 MB of L3 cache, and 5.00 GHz boost clock give it a broad advantage in most measured tasks. The dual-channel memory bus and Gen 5 PCIe support also position it as the more capable platform for memory-intensive and expansion-oriented mobile systems.
The Intel Core 3 305 has one clear strength: Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its 23.2% lead in that specific test suggests it handles prolonged multi-threaded render workloads more efficiently, despite having fewer cores and a lower boost clock. For users whose primary workload is Cinebench R23 or similar long-duration render tasks, the Core 3 305 delivers better results.
The two chips are close in single-threaded PassMark performance, with only 1.8% separating them. For basic everyday tasks, the difference will be difficult to perceive. The Core 3 305 also carries a lower TDP of 15 versus 17, which may matter in thermally constrained chassis.
The launch MSRP of $309 for the Core 3 305 provides a reference point, though no comparable figure exists for the Ultra 7. The Core Ultra 7 268V is the safer recommendation for general-purpose mobile computing based on the benchmark data. The Core 3 305 is the targeted pick for users who know their workloads align with its single Cinebench R23 multi-core win.