Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core 5 330 across nearly every workload category. Of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core 5 330 wins 16, with only a single test going to the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL.

The most decisive victories for the Core 5 330 appear in the PassMark extended instruction and prime number workloads. In the extended instructions test, the Core 5 330 scores 12808 against 5634 for the Ultra 3 105UL, a delta of 127.3%. The prime number test shows an even larger gap: 114 versus 44, a 159.1% advantage. These results indicate a substantial difference in specialized computational throughput, likely reflecting the architectural and clock speed differences between the two parts.

Cinebench results consistently show a 50.4% multicore advantage for the Core 5 330 across R15, R20, and R23. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 5 330 delivers 13150 points against 8742 for the Ultra 3 105UL. Single-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern, with the Core 5 330 leading by 50% in R15 (186 versus 124) and by 50.4% in R20 (779 versus 518) and R23 (1856 versus 1234). This consistency across multiple Cinebench generations suggests a broad single-threaded and multi-threaded performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark multithread scoring reinforces the pattern: the Core 5 330 records 15471 points versus 10285, a 50.4% lead. The physics test shows a 67.3% advantage (1201 versus 718). Data compression favors the Core 5 330 by 54.6% (145287 versus 93961), while data encryption shows a 74.3% edge (11076 versus 6354). Random string sorting goes to the Core 5 330 by 59% (17771 versus 11179). Floating point math is closer but still decisively in favor of the Core 5 330: 43885 versus 30750, a 42.7% lead. Single-thread PassMark scores show a 20.9% advantage (4088 versus 3382).

The sole win for the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL comes in PassMark integer math. There, the Ultra 3 105UL scores 41171 against 33258 for the Core 5 330, a 19.2% advantage. This is an interesting outlier, given that the Core 5 330 wins the floating point and multithread tests by large margins. The integer math result indicates that the Ultra 3 105UL has a specific strength in this workload, possibly related to its higher core count and thread count (8 cores, 10 threads versus 6 cores, 6 threads) or its memory subsystem configuration.

The average benchmark score for the Core 5 330 is 18345, placing it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Ultra 3 105UL averages 13061, at the 68th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 330 are tightly clustered: the Intel Core i3-14100 trails by 0.1%, the Intel Core 7 360 leads by 0.2%, the Intel Core i3-13100 leads by 0.2%, and the Intel Core 3 305 trails by 0.2%. For the Ultra 3 105UL, nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-9400F (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i7-10750H (0.3% ahead), the Intel Core i5-8500 (0.6% behind), and the Intel Core i7-7700K (1.7% behind).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The only test won by the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL is PassMark integer math.

Q: How large is the Cinebench R23 multicore difference?

A: The Core 5 330 scores 13150 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Ultra 3 105UL scores 8742. That is a 50.4% advantage for the Core 5 330.

Q: Is there any workload where the Ultra 3 105UL outperforms the Core 5 330?

A: Yes. In PassMark integer math, the Ultra 3 105UL scores 41171 versus 33258, a 19.2% lead. No other recorded test favors the Ultra 3 105UL.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core 5 330 leads in all single-thread tests. PassMark single-thread shows 4088 versus 3382, a 20.9% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1856 versus 1234, a 50.4% advantage.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor based on average score?

A: For the Core 5 330, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-14100 (0.1% behind), Intel Core 7 360 (0.2% ahead), Intel Core i3-13100 (0.2% ahead), and Intel Core 3 305 (0.2% behind). For the Ultra 3 105UL, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-9400F (0.2% ahead), Intel Core i7-10750H (0.3% ahead), Intel Core i5-8500 (0.6% behind), and Intel Core i7-7700K (1.7% behind).

Q: What is the overall average benchmark score difference?

A: The Core 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18345, while the Ultra 3 105UL averages 13061. The difference is 5284 points in favor of the Core 5 330.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear performance hierarchy between these two processors. The Intel Core 5 330 dominates in 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 20.9% in single-thread PassMark to 159.1% in prime number throughput. Its average benchmark score of 18345 places it 40.4% above the Ultra 3 105UL average of 13061. The percentile ranking also favors the Core 5 330: 72nd percentile versus 68th percentile among all CPUs.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL does have one meaningful strength. Its integer math score of 41171 exceeds the Core 5 330 by 19.2%, and this result indicates that certain integer-heavy workloads may perform better on the Ultra 3 105UL. However, this single win does not offset the broad deficit elsewhere. The Ultra 3 105UL trails by at least 42.7% in floating point math, by 50.4% in Cinebench multicore, and by 54.6% in data compression. Its nearest rival cluster, which includes the Intel Core i5-9400F and Intel Core i7-10750H, reflects a much lower performance tier than the Core 5 330's cluster, which sits alongside the Intel Core i3-14100 and Intel Core 7 360.

For workloads dominated by Cinebench-style rendering, compression, encryption, physics, or general single-threaded responsiveness, the data clearly favors the Core 5 330. For integer math workloads specifically, the Ultra 3 105UL shows a measurable advantage, but the overall benchmark profile positions the Core 5 330 as the stronger processor by a substantial margin.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The Intel Core 5 330 uses 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses 8 cores and 10 threads. Despite the Ultra 3 105UL having more cores and threads, it scores lower in almost every benchmark, which indicates that per-core performance and clock speed play a decisive role.

Base clocks are identical at 1.50 GHz for both parts. Boost clocks differ: the Core 5 330 boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Ultra 3 105UL boosts to 4.20 GHz. The 0.40 GHz boost advantage for the Core 5 330 aligns with its large single-threaded leads in Cinebench and PassMark.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 3 105UL lists L1 as 112 KB per core, L2 as 2 MB per core, and L3 as 10 MB shared. The total usable cache depends on core count, but the shared L3 difference (6 MB versus 10 MB) favors the Ultra 3 105UL.

Memory support differs. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 3 105UL also has more PCIe lanes: Gen 4, 8 Lanes versus Gen 4, 6 Lanes for the Core 5 330.

The integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Ultra 3 105UL uses Arc Xe-LPG with 48 EUs. The market segments also differ: the Core 5 330 is listed as Mobile, while the Ultra 3 105UL is listed as Desktop. Sockets differ as well: the Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Ultra 3 105UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Release dates differ by roughly two years: the Core 5 330 was released in April 2026, while the Ultra 3 105UL was released in April 2024. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 330 is $309, and the launch MSRP for the Ultra 3 105UL is $295.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core 5 330 is built on the Wildcat Lake codename and uses a 3 nm process node. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS variant, on a 7 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the 3 nm node represents a significantly more advanced fabrication process.

The Core 5 330 belongs to the Core 5 generation under the Wildcat Lake codename. The Ultra 3 105UL belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 under the Meteor Lake-PS codename. This generation difference explains many of the performance disparities observed in the benchmark data, particularly the large single-threaded and extended instruction advantages for the Core 5 330.

The core count and thread count differences are notable. The Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads, which suggests a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores. The Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, indicating a uniform core configuration without hyper-threading. Despite having fewer threads, the Core 5 330 scores 50.4% higher in Cinebench R23 multicore, which suggests that its individual cores are substantially faster.

The process node difference (3 nm versus 7 nm) likely contributes to the higher boost clock of the Core 5 330 (4.60 GHz versus 4.20 GHz) while maintaining the same 15 W TDP. Both processors are listed with 15 W TDP, which makes the performance gap particularly notable for thermally constrained designs.

The memory architecture also reflects the generational split. The Core 5 330 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 3 105UL uses a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 3 105UL has a theoretical memory bandwidth advantage of 29.9 GB/s, yet it still loses decisively in most compute workloads. This suggests that the Core 5 330's architectural efficiency compensates for its narrower memory interface.

The integrated graphics differ at the architectural level as well. The Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Ultra 3 105UL uses Arc Xe-LPG with 48 EUs. The Ultra 3 105UL has a higher EU count, which may benefit graphics workloads, but the recorded benchmark data does not include graphics-specific tests.

The cache architecture differs in structure. The Core 5 330 lists L1 as 192 KB total and L2 as 2.5 MB total. The Ultra 3 105UL lists L1 as 112 KB per core and L2 as 2 MB per core. With 8 cores, the Ultra 3 105UL has a larger aggregate L2 cache, and its 10 MB shared L3 exceeds the 6 MB shared L3 of the Core 5 330. Nevertheless, the Core 5 330 maintains higher performance in nearly every measured workload, indicating that clock speed and per-core efficiency outweigh raw cache capacity in these tests.