Intel Core i3-9320 vs Intel Core i5-8305G Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8305G and the Intel Core i3-9320 are both four-core Intel processors, but they target entirely different segments of the market. The benchmark data shows a clear and consistent performance advantage for the Core i3-9320 across every single test, with a dominant 6-0 win record in the head-to-head comparisons. However, the Core i5-8305G brings a fundamentally different feature set, including a powerful integrated GPU and a mobile form factor, making the choice between them a question of workload priorities rather than raw computational speed. The recorded data indicates that the Core i3-9320 is the superior processor for CPU-intensive tasks, while the Core i5-8305G is the more versatile package for systems where graphics capability and power efficiency are paramount.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-9320 wins in every single computational workload tested. Its victory is not marginal; it maintains a consistent performance lead of roughly 8% over the Core i5-8305G across all Cinebench iterations. In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the Core i3-9320 scores 6254 against the Core i5-8305G's 5739, an 8.2% advantage. Similarly, in the single-core R23 test, it leads 882 to 810, an 8.2% margin. This pattern extends to older versions of the benchmark, with the R15 multi-core score at 630 versus 578 (an 8.3% lead) and R20 multi-core at 2626 versus 2410 (an 8.2% lead). The Core i3-9320's wins are defined by its higher clock speeds (a base of 3.70 GHz and boost of 4.40 GHz) and larger 8 MB shared L3 cache, which give it a decisive edge in both multi-threaded and single-threaded applications.

The Intel Core i5-8305G, however, does not win in any of the CPU benchmark comparisons. Where it wins is in the broader system context, a fact not captured by the CPU-centric Cinebench tests. Its integrated graphics are the Radeon RX Vega M GL, a significantly more capable GPU than the UHD Graphics 630 found on the Core i3-9320. This makes the Core i5-8305G the better choice for tasks that rely on GPU acceleration, such as light gaming, video encoding, or GPU-accelerated compute. Additionally, as a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 2270 socket, it is designed for systems where footprint and power consumption are critical, and its 65 W TDP is comparable to the Core i3-9320's 62 W, despite being a mobile part. The Core i5-8305G also supports eight threads via Hyper-Threading, a feature the Core i3-9320 lacks, which can help in heavily parallel workloads despite the clock speed disadvantage.

The Verdict

For users building a desktop system where CPU performance is the primary metric, the Intel Core i3-9320 is the clear choice. The data shows it is faster than the Core i5-8305G in every recorded benchmark, with a consistent 8% lead in both single-core and multi-core tests. This translates to better performance in everyday applications, productivity suites, and most gaming scenarios that are CPU-bound. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.70 GHz and 4.40 GHz respectively) and larger cache make it the superior raw processor. With a production status of end-of-life and a launch MSRP of $154, it represents a straightforward, high-performance desktop option.

For users who require a compact, integrated solution, the Intel Core i5-8305G is the more appropriate choice despite its lower CPU benchmark scores. Its Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics provide a level of integrated graphics performance that the UHD Graphics 630 cannot match, making it a viable option for a compact media center or a small-form-factor gaming rig. The mobile form factor (Intel BGA 2270) means it is not a drop-in upgrade for desktop motherboards, but it is the only one of the two designed for portable or space-constrained systems. Its active production status also suggests ongoing availability in the mobile market. The 0.1% performance difference in its average benchmark score (1831) compared to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U (1832), shows it is competitive within its mobile class.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are unequivocal: the Intel Core i3-9320 wins all six recorded comparisons. The smallest margin is in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the Core i3-9320 scores 88 against the Core i5-8305G's 81, an 8% difference. The largest margin is in the R15 multi-core test, at 630 versus 578, an 8.3% lead. The multi-core tests show the Core i3-9320's advantage is not solely due to its higher single-core clock speed; it also manages to outperform the Core i5-8305G's eight threads with only four physical cores. This confirms the efficiency of the Coffee Lake architecture and its higher 4.40 GHz boost clock.

In the Cinebench R20 tests, the pattern holds. The Core i3-9320 scores 2626 in multi-core versus 2410 for the Core i5-8305G, an 8.2% lead. Single-core scores are 370 versus 340, an 8.1% lead. The most modern test, Cinebench R23, shows the same 8.2% gap in both multi-core (6254 vs 5739) and single-core (882 vs 810). The consistency of this delta across all tests suggests a fundamental performance ceiling difference between the two chips. The Core i3-9320's higher clocks and larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) provide a structural advantage that Hyper-Threading on the Core i5-8305G cannot overcome. The benchmark data records the Core i3-9320 as the winner in 100% of the head-to-head tests (6 out of 6).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-9320 is faster in all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6254 compared to the Core i5-8305G's 5739, an 8.2% advantage. The same margin is seen in Cinebench R20 (2626 vs 2410) and R15 (630 vs 578).

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8305G have any performance advantage?

A: No, the recorded CPU benchmarks show no advantage for the Core i5-8305G. The Core i3-9320 wins every single test in the head-to-head comparison, with a 6-0 win record. However, the Core i5-8305G uses different integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega M GL) which are not measured in the CPU benchmarks.

Q: How do their core and thread counts differ?

A: Both processors have 4 cores. The Core i5-8305G supports 8 threads, while the Core i3-9320 supports 4 threads. Despite having half the thread count, the Core i3-9320 still wins in multi-core benchmarks due to its higher clock speeds.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Core i5-8305G has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Core i3-9320 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, making it significantly faster in both metrics.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: No, they use different architectures. The Core i5-8305G is based on Kaby Lake (specifically Kaby Lake G), while the Core i3-9320 is based on Coffee Lake. Both use Intel's 14 nm process node.

Q: Which processor is better for a desktop system?

A: The Intel Core i3-9320 is designed for desktops with an Intel Socket 1151 and is the better performer in CPU benchmarks. The Core i5-8305G is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 2270 socket, designed for laptops or compact systems.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel design philosophies. The Core i5-8305G uses the Kaby Lake architecture with the G codename, which signifies a unique package that integrates a discrete-class GPU on the same substrate. It is built on Intel's 14 nm process node and is part of the Kaby Lake-G generation. Its memory support is DDR4, and it is designed for the mobile market segment, as indicated by its Intel BGA 2270 socket and active production status. The architecture supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading on its 4 cores, and it has a shared 6 MB L3 cache.

The Core i3-9320, in contrast, uses the Coffee Lake architecture (with the Coffee Lake Refresh generation). It is also built on a 14 nm process node, but it is a desktop part designed for the Intel Socket 1151. The architecture is a straightforward 4-core, 4-thread design without Hyper-Threading. It features a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache and supports dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Core i5-8305G. The Core i3-9320 includes PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the PCIe configuration for the Core i5-8305G is not listed in the data. The most significant architectural difference is the integrated GPU: the Core i5-8305G includes the Radeon RX Vega M GL, while the Core i3-9320 uses Intel's UHD Graphics 630. This difference is the primary reason the Core i5-8305G exists as a product, offering a unified package for graphics-intensive mobile workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. The most obvious difference is the socket: the Core i5-8305G uses Intel BGA 2270, a soldered mobile socket, whereas the Core i3-9320 uses Intel Socket 1151, a standard desktop socket. This dictates their market segments, mobile versus desktop, which is reflected in their production statuses: the Core i5-8305G is active, while the Core i3-9320 is end-of-life.

Clock speeds differ substantially, with the Core i3-9320 having a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to the Core i5-8305G's 2.80 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The thread counts differ (8 vs 4), and the L3 cache size differs (6 MB shared vs 8 MB shared). The TDPs are close, at 65 W for the Core i5-8305G and 62 W for the Core i3-9320. The integrated graphics are completely different, with the Radeon RX Vega M GL on the Core i5-8305G and UHD Graphics 630 on the Core i3-9320. The Core i3-9320 lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s and a dual-channel memory bus, while the Core i5-8305G does not have these fields specified in the database. The Core i3-9320 also supports ECC memory, while the Core i5-8305G does not. Finally, the release dates differ, with the Core i5-8305G launching in early 2018 and the Core i3-9320 launching in 2019.