Intel Core i3-N305 vs Intel Core i5-8300H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a split decision between these two mobile processors, with the Intel Core i3-N305 taking five of eight head-to-head tests while the Intel Core i5-8300H claims three. The margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the i3-N305 dominates. In multicore, it scores 829 against the i5-8300H's 629, a 24.1% advantage. The single-core gap is even more pronounced: 164.7 versus 88, a 46.6% delta. That is the largest margin in any test between these two chips. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i3-N305 continues its sweep, posting 3349 multicore against 2622 (21.7% ahead) and 472 single-core against 370 (21.6% ahead).

The i5-8300H fights back in Cinebench R23. Its multicore score of 6245 tops the i3-N305's 5092 by 22.6%. This reversal is notable because the R23 workload is the most demanding of the Cinebench suite. The i5-8300H also takes Geekbench multicore with 3920 versus 3881, though the 1% margin is essentially a tie. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-8300H leads 1286 to 1049, a 22.6% advantage that mirrors its R23 multicore win.

The i3-N305 counters in Cinebench R23 single-core with 995 versus 881, an 11.5% edge. That gives it wins in both R15 tests, both R20 tests, and one R23 test. The i5-8300H's three wins come in R23 multicore, Geekbench multicore, and Geekbench single-core.

Looking at the broader database context, the i5-8300H sits at the 45th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 2005. Its nearest rivals are separated by fractions of a point: the Intel Xeon D-1712TR at 2004 (0% delta), Intel Core i5-8400H at 2003 (0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 2800H at 2002 (0.2%), and Intel Core i5-8400T at 2001 (0.2%). The i3-N305 holds the 44th percentile with an average of 1979, a mere 26 points lower. Its closest competitors include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B at 1986 (0.3% above) and Intel Core i5-8279U at 1987 (0.4% above), while the Intel Core i5-7600K trails at 1976 (0.1% below) and the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 sits at 1973 (0.3% below).

Where Each One Wins

The i3-N305 is the clear winner for short-burst, lightly threaded workloads. Its single-core advantage in Cinebench R15 (46.6%), R20 (21.6%), and R23 (11.5%) indicates stronger per-thread performance in the newest Cinebench iterations. The fact that its single-core lead shrinks as the Cinebench version gets newer suggests the i5-8300H's older architecture closes the gap under more demanding single-thread loads, but the i3-N305 still holds the edge.

For sustained multicore rendering, the results depend on the workload generation. The i3-N305 leads in Cinebench R15 multicore by 24.1% and R20 multicore by 21.7%. However, the i5-8300H flips the script in R23 multicore with a 22.6% advantage. This pattern indicates that the i5-8300H handles the more complex, longer-running R23 render better, while the i3-N305 excels in the shorter R15 and R20 workloads. The i5-8300H's 45W TDP compared to the i3-N305's 15W likely explains its ability to sustain performance in the heaviest test.

Geekbench tells a different story. The i5-8300H wins both Geekbench tests, with a 1% multicore margin and a 22.6% single-core margin. This suggests the i5-8300H has an advantage in the types of real-world tasks Geekbench models, particularly in single-threaded scenarios where its 3.90 GHz boost clock exceeds the i3-N305's 3.80 GHz.

For battery-conscious systems, the i3-N305's 15W TDP versus the i5-8300H's 45W TDP makes it the obvious choice for thin-and-light laptops where thermals and power draw matter more than peak performance. The i5-8300H, by contrast, belongs in larger chassis with more robust cooling solutions that can handle its higher power envelope.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel design philosophies. The i5-8300H uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, built for the Coffee Lake-H generation. It packs 4 cores and 8 threads with Hyper-Threading support, giving it simultaneous multithreading that the i3-N305 lacks. The i3-N305 uses the Gracemont architecture, part of the Alder Lake-N generation, on a 10 nm process. It offers 8 physical cores but no hyper-threading, so it also has 8 threads total.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i5-8300H provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-N305 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-8300H's double L3 capacity likely contributes to its Geekbench multicore win despite having half the physical cores.

Clock speeds show a peculiarity in the recorded data. The i5-8300H runs at a 2.30 GHz base clock with a 3.90 GHz boost. The i3-N305 lists a base clock of 100.00 GHz, which appears to be a data-entry anomaly; its boost clock is 3.80 GHz. Regardless, the i5-8300H's higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz aligns with its Geekbench single-core win.

Memory support diverges as well. The i5-8300H supports DDR4 only, while the i3-N305 supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i3-N305 features a single-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, a limitation the i5-8300H does not record. The i3-N305 also exposes PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-8300H's PCIe configuration is not recorded.

Integrated graphics differ: the i5-8300H carries UHD 630, while the i3-N305 has UHD Graphics 770. Both processors are mobile parts, but the i5-8300H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket and is end-of-life, released in April 2018. The i3-N305 uses Intel BGA 1264, remains in active production, and launched in January 2023. Its launch MSRP is $309. The i5-8300H's launch MSRP is not recorded. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split recommendation based on workload and system constraints. For users prioritizing sustained multicore rendering in the most demanding Cinebench R23 workloads, the i5-8300H is the stronger choice. Its 22.6% R23 multicore advantage and its Geekbench wins (22.6% single-core, 1% multicore) make it the better performer in those specific scenarios. Its 45W TDP, however, demands a chassis with adequate cooling and power delivery.

For users who want the better all-around benchmark performer in lighter workloads, the i3-N305 takes the majority of tests. It wins five of eight head-to-head comparisons, including both R15 tests, both R20 tests, and R23 single-core. Its 15W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient on paper, and its active production status means it remains available for new designs. The i3-N305's DDR5 support and newer 10 nm process give it a modern feature set, though its single-channel memory bus and smaller 6 MB L3 cache are potential bottlenecks.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2005 for the i5-8300H versus 1979 for the i3-N305, a difference of just 26 points. Both sit in the 44th to 45th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-8300H edges ahead in overall standing, but the i3-N305 wins more individual tests. Users who run Geekbench-style workloads should lean toward the i5-8300H. Users who run Cinebench R15 or R20, or who need lower power consumption, should pick the i3-N305. The i5-8300H is the pick for legacy DDR4 systems and heavier sustained loads; the i3-N305 is the pick for modern, power-efficient mobile designs.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i3-N305 wins five of eight tests: Cinebench R15 multicore and single-core, Cinebench R20 multicore and single-core, and Cinebench R23 single-core. The Intel Core i5-8300H wins three: Cinebench R23 multicore, Geekbench multicore, and Geekbench single-core.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap in Cinebench R15?

A: The i3-N305 scores 164.7 versus the i5-8300H's 88, a 46.6% advantage. This is the largest margin in any test between the two processors.

Q: Does the i5-8300H beat the i3-N305 in any multicore test?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 multicore with 6245 against 5092, a 22.6% lead. It also wins Geekbench multicore with 3920 versus 3881, though that margin is only 1%.

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

A: The i5-8300H has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i3-N305 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-8300H has an average benchmark score of 2005, placing it in the 45th percentile of all CPUs. The i3-N305 has an average score of 1979, placing it in the 44th percentile.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The i5-8300H has a 45W TDP, while the i3-N305 has a 15W TDP. The i5-8300H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, and the i3-N305 uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket.