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Intel Core i3 N305 Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£280
  • Avg. price in US: ~$310
  • PassMark benchmark result: 9518
  • N. of physical cores: 8
  • CPU boost clock speed: 3.8 GHz

Intel Core i3 N305 review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

4.6

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.6

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.6

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.4

Performance

18.0%

6.7

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

4.4

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

7.5

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.8

Platform

1.0%

7.1

Integrated Graphics

Poor
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 3.3
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    3.1

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    3.8

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    4.0

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    3.5

    N. of physical cores

  • 2.8
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.9

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    3.5

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    2.8

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

  • No image
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Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £280

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core i3-N305 is an entry-level mobile processor from the Alder Lake-N series, featuring 8 efficient cores (E-cores) based on the Gracemont architecture with a max turbo frequency of 3.80 GHz. It includes a 6 MB L3 cache, a 15W TDP (configurable down to 9W), and integrated Intel UHD Graphics with 32 execution units. Its main advantages include high energy efficiency and strong multi-threaded performance for its class, making it ideal for fanless mini PCs and thin laptops. However, it is limited by a lack of performance cores, no Hyper-Threading support, only single-channel memory support, and a restricted number of PCIe lanes (Gen 3 x9).

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i3 N305

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

?

Performance

18.0%

?

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

?

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

?

Power & Thermal

4.0%

?

Platform

1.0%

?

Integrated Graphics

4.6
Intel Core i3 N305 has a technical score of 4.57 points, which is lower than that of 64.1% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Intel Core i3 N305 has a popularity of 1 points, which is higher than 0% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.6

Overall score

40.0%

9.0

Price

5.9
Intel Core i3 N305 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.9 points, which is lower than 69.8% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

mobile
Intel Core i3 N305 belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 7.3% of processors and equal to that of 48.6% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

FCBGA1264
Intel Core i3 N305 uses the FCBGA1264 CPU socket, which is older than that of 93.3% of processors and equal to that of 0.6% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

N/A
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core i3 N305 uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

8
Intel Core i3 N305 has 8 CPU cores, which is more than 63.4% of processors and equal to 13.6% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

8
Intel Core i3 N305 offers 8 CPU threads, which is more than 35.3% of processors and equal to 19% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

1
Intel Core i3 N305 offers 1 threads per core, which is fewer than 69.7% of processors and equal to 30.3% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

3.8 GHz
Intel Core i3 N305 reaches a boost clock of 3.8 GHz which is lower than that of 68.5% of processors and equal to that of 4.1% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

8 x 1.8 GHz
Intel Core i3 N305 has a base clock of 8x1.8 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
Show more
Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

10 nm
Intel Core i3 N305 uses a 10 nm process node, which is more advanced than that of 52.3% of processors and equal to that of 19.1% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 7
Intel Core i3 N305 is built on the Intel 7 foundry process, which is more advanced than that of 66.2% of processors and equal to that of 14.9% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

6 MB
Intel Core i3 N305 has an L3 cache of 6 MB which is smaller than that of 60.4% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

4 MB
Intel Core i3 N305 has an L2 cache of 4 MB which is larger than that of 55.1% of processors and equal to that of 9.2% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

768 KB
Intel Core i3 N305 has an L1 cache of 768 KB which is larger than that of 78.2% of processors and equal to that of 3.4% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR4/DDR5
Intel Core i3 N305 supports DDR DDR4/DDR5, which is newer than that of 79.1% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

4,800 MHz
Intel Core i3 N305 supports memory speeds up to 4800 MHz, which is higher than that of 66.4% of processors and equal to 5.6% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

4,800 MHz
Intel Core i3 N305 supports JEDEC memory speeds up to 4800 MHz, which is higher than that of 65.8% of processors and equal to 0.2% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

16 GB
Intel Core i3 N305 supports up to 16 GB of memory, which is less than 91.7% of processors and equal to 6.4% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Intel Core i3 N305 includes integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Intel UHD Graphics
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel UHD Graphics 32EU
Intel Core i3 N305 uses the Intel UHD Graphics 32EU integrated GPU, which is less advanced than that in 62.1% of processors and equal to that in 0.9% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

32
Intel Core i3 N305 has 32 GPU execution units, which is more than 70.8% of processors and equal to 9.9% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

300 MHz
Intel Core i3 N305 has an integrated GPU clock of 300 MHz which is lower than that of 57% of processors and equal to that of 38.7% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

?
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TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

15 W
Intel Core i3 N305 has a TDP of 15 W which is lower than that of 77.7% of processors and equal to that of 16.1% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

15 W
Intel Core i3 N305 has a base power of 15 W which is lower than that of 77.2% of processors and equal to that of 16.2% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

35 W
Intel Core i3 N305 has a boost power of 35 W which is lower than that of 74.4% of processors and equal to that of 4.6% of processors.
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

28 seconds
Intel Core i3 N305 has a turbo duration of 28 seconds which is longer than that of 3.8% of processors and equal to that of 85% of processors.
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

yes
Intel Core i3 N305 supports configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
cTDP: 9 W
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Intel Core i3 N305 vs the average processor

  • Uses big.LITTLE design
    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
    What it is: Combines high-performance cores with lower-power efficiency cores instead of relying on just one core type.
    When it matters: When you want strong burst performance in demanding tasks without wasting as much power during lighter background work.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
  • Newer DDR support
    Intel Core i3 N305 supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/DDR5 vs DDR4).
    What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
    When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: DDR5

    Intel Core i3 N305 supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/DDR5 vs DDR4).DDR4/DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 66.7% lower base power
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
    When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <30 W

    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.15 W vs 45 W
  • More advanced microarchitecture
    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Alder Lake vs Kaby Lake).
    What it is: The internal core-design codename used for this processor generation.
    When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs at a deeper design level and want to identify the exact architecture behind marketing names.

    Importance: LOW

    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Alder Lake vs Kaby Lake).Alder Lake vs Kaby Lake
  • 5 °C higher TJ Max
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
    What it is: The highest safe operating junction temperature before the CPU starts throttling or protecting itself.
    When it matters: When you tune cooling or monitor thermals under load.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=100 °C

    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.105 °C vs 100 °C
  • 2x larger L1 cache
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (768 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
    What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
    When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=512 KB

    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (768 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.768 KB vs 384 KB
  • More advanced foundry
    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 7 vs Intel 14 nm).
    What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
    When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 7 vs Intel 14 nm).Intel 7 vs Intel 14 nm
  • 2 more CPU cores
    Intel Core i3 N305 has more CPU cores than the average processor (8 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core i3 N305 has more CPU cores than the average processor (8 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.8 vs 6
  • 3 year/s newer release date
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a newer release date than the average processor (2,023 vs 2,020).
  • 2 more CPU cores
    Intel Core i3 N305 has more CPU cores than the average processor (8 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • 2 wider front-end design
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher front-end width than the average processor (6 vs 4). The average processor uses front-end width of 4.
  • Uses big.LITTLE design
    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
  • More advanced microarchitecture
    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Alder Lake vs Kaby Lake).
  • 2x larger L1 cache
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (768 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • More advanced foundry
    Intel Core i3 N305 uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 7 vs Intel 14 nm).
  • 60% larger L2 cache
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (4 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 16.7% smaller process node
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower process node than the average processor (10 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • Newer DDR support
    Intel Core i3 N305 supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/DDR5 vs DDR4).
  • 63.7% higher memory speed
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (4,800 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • 66.7% lower base power
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
  • 5 °C higher TJ Max
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
  • 45.3% lower boost power
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (35 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
  • 66.7% lower TDP
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Total
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Power & Thermal
  • Older CPU socket
    Intel Core i3 N305 uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,264 vs FP2).
  • 11.6% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • 22.1% lower Cinebench R20 single-core score
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (377 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
  • 16.7% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,069 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i3 N305 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 30.2% weaker multi-core performance
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,943 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
  • 9% lower single-core score
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,339 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 1 fewer threads per core
    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
  • 10 lower clock multiplier
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (18 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
  • 56.2% less L3 per core
    Intel Core i3 N305 has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (0.8 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • 25% smaller L3 cache
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (6 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • 7 fewer PCIe lanes
    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (9 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
  • 75% less memory capacity
    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (16 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
  • 16.2% lower memory bandwidth
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (38.4 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • 1 fewer memory channels
    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer memory channels than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor supports 2 memory channels.
  • 5 °C higher CPU temperature
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a higher CPU temperature than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
  • 56.2% less L3 per core
    Intel Core i3 N305 has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (0.8 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L3 cache effectively available per CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing how much shared cache each core can draw on in deeper technical analysis.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2 MB/core

    Intel Core i3 N305 has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (0.8 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.0.75 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core
  • 11.6% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
    When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4.7 GHz

    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
  • 22.1% lower Cinebench R20 single-core score
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (377 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about lighter workloads, interface responsiveness, or software that still depends heavily on one fast core.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >600

    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (377 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.377 vs 484
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i3 N305 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
    What it is: Lets each physical core run more than one thread at the same time, such as with Hyper-Threading or SMT.
    When it matters: When multitasking, rendering, compiling, virtualization, or other thread-heavy work benefits from more total processing threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Intel Core i3 N305 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 16.7% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,069 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,069 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.2,069 vs 2,483
  • 7 fewer PCIe lanes
    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (9 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
    What it is: The number of PCIe lanes provided directly by the processor.
    When it matters: When you connect fast GPUs, SSDs, or expansion cards.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=20

    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (9 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.9 vs 16
  • 30.2% weaker multi-core performance
    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,943 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 score that reflects how well the processor handles long, heavy rendering workloads across many cores.
    When it matters: When you care about sustained multi-core performance in rendering, compiling, heavy creation work, or productivity workloads that use many threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4700

    Intel Core i3 N305 has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,943 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.1,943 vs 2,783
  • 75% less memory capacity
    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (16 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
    What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
    When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=128 GB

    Intel Core i3 N305 has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (16 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.16 GB vs 64 GB
Total
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Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i3 N305 and other processors

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i3 N305?

  • High core count for its class (8 E-cores) provides a significant multi-core performance jump over previous low-power generations like the N100 or N6005.
  • Excellent power efficiency with a 15W TDP, making it ideal for fanless mini PCs and silent laptops.
  • Strong performance in daily productivity tasks such as web browsing, schoolwork, and media streaming.
  • Reliable for home lab use, including running multiple lightweight VMs, containers, or network controllers like Proxmox.
  • Features modern capabilities like Quick Sync and AV1 decoding, which are great for video playback and media servers like Plex.
  • Users have successfully run up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM despite the official 16GB limit, though results may vary.

What customers dislike about Intel Core i3 N305?

  • Lacks dedicated Performance-cores (P-cores) and Hyper-Threading, leading to weaker single-core performance compared to older i5/i7 chips.
  • Very limited integrated graphics (32 Execution Units) make it unsuitable for modern AAA gaming or heavy video editing.
  • Limited to single-channel memory, which can bottleneck performance in certain workloads compared to dual-channel systems.
  • Fewer PCIe lanes (9 Gen 3 lanes) may restrict high-speed connectivity options like multiple high-speed NVMe drives or Thunderbolt.
  • Reported to heat up quickly under sustained heavy loads, especially in poorly cooled budget laptop designs.
  • Confusing naming convention as it is technically an 'N-series' (Atom-class) chip branded under the 'Core i3' line.

Expert reviews

C
cpubenchmark.net
Updated Daily
Intel Core i3-N305 - PassMark CPU Benchmarks

a little longer The Intel Core i3-N305 is an Alder Lake-N mobile processor featuring 8 efficient cores (E-cores) that offers strong multi-core performance for budget devices, often rivaling older i7 desktop chips. With a 15W TDP and 3.8 GHz boost, it provides significant performance gains over smaller N-series chips, making it ideal for fanless PCs and thin laptops with modern AV1...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
15/08/2025
CTL Chromebook Plus PX141GXT Review

The CTL Chromebook Plus PX141GXT is a durable, Editors' Choice-winning laptop designed for education and enterprise, featuring a rugged, MIL-STD-810H certified chassis. It boasts strong performance via an Intel Core i3 processor and 16GB of RAM, paired with a practical 14-inch 1080p touch display and a backlit keyboard. While offering excellent 12.5-hour battery life and ample...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
23/07/2024
Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Review

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a budget-friendly, durable device featuring a 14-inch FHD display with a matte finish and excellent battery life exceeding 14 hours. It boasts a robust port selection, including dual USB-C and USB-A ports, alongside AI-powered software features like Magic Eraser. However, the Intel Core i3-N305 processor delivers bottom-tier graphics performance and...Read more

P
pcmag.com
09/12/2024
HP Chromebook Plus x360 Review

The HP Chromebook Plus x360 is a 14-inch, 2-in-1 convertible that meets Google’s performance standards with an Intel Core i3-N305 processor and 8GB of RAM, making it a "good bargain" when found on sale below its $599.99 list price. Key advantages include a responsive 1080p touchscreen and a 12-month Google One AI Premium subscription, though it faces competition from the ASUS...Read more

C
cnx-software.com
18/03/2023
Weibu N10 Core i3-N305 mini PC review with Windows 11 and Ubuntu 22.04

The Weibu N10 mini PC, powered by the Intel Core i3-N305, offers impressive daily productivity performance with 8 efficiency cores, triple 4K@60Hz display support, and dual 2.5GbE Ethernet ports. The unit demonstrates strong versatility and stability running both Windows 11 and Ubuntu 22.04 without thermal throttling, though BIOS adjustments may be required to manage fan noise. Key...Read more

C
computerbild.de
10/03/2026
Laptop Review: These are the best notebooks! (Acer Aspire Go 15 Review)

Computer Bild’s 2026 laptop rankings highlight the Asus Zenbook Duo (UX8407) and HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 as top-tier 14-inch performers, boasting "very good" ratings for their innovative dual OLED designs and high-speed efficiency. While the Acer Swift 14 AI offers impressive brightness and battery life, it is limited by soldered, non-upgradable RAM. In the 15-inch category, the...Read more

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L
laptopmedia.com
15/11/2023
Intel Core i3-N305 - Benchmarks and Tests

The Intel Core i3-N305 is a 15W, budget-friendly Alder Lake-N processor featuring 8 efficiency cores, ideal for entry-level laptops, based on data from LaptopMedia. It offers capable multi-threaded performance for daily tasks and includes modern features like AV1 decoding. However, significant drawbacks include limited single-channel memory support, reduced performance from lack of...Read more

(Translated)Show original
L
laptopmedia.com
T1 2023
Intel Core i3-N305 Specifications and Benchmarks

The Intel Core i3-N305 is an entry-level Alder Lake-N processor featuring 8 Efficient-cores (E-cores) on a 10nm process, delivering a 15W TDP ideal for budget and fanless laptops. It achieves up to 3.80 GHz, providing strong multi-threaded capability for its class, though it lacks Hyper-Threading. In performance tests like Cinebench R23, the i3-N305, often found in devices like the...Read more

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N
notebookcheck.biz
24/02/2024
Maxtang MTN-ALN50 Review: An efficient mini PC with solid performance thanks to the 8-core Core i3-N305

The Maxtang MTN-ALN50 is an ultra-compact, aluminum-chassis mini PC powered by an 8-core Intel Core i3-N305, offering superior performance for light productivity over typical 4-core N100 alternatives. It features dual 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports and supports triple-monitor setups (HDMI/USB-C), making it a versatile option for networking or media tasks. While offering strong multi-core...Read more

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L
laptopmedia.com
29/03/2026
Intel Core i3-N305 - specifications, benchmark tests and prices

The Intel Core i3-N305 redefines budget computing by using an eight-core, efficiency-focused "Gracemont" architecture on the Intel 7 process, delivering impressive multi-threaded performance. Its primary pros include low power consumption (15W), supporting modern standards like LPDDR5-4800 memory and AV1 decoding, which makes it ideal for cool, quiet operation in thin-and-light...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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