Intel Core i3-N305 vs Intel Core i3-12100

Processor comparisons 29-09-2022

   For example you are thinking about choosing a CPU, you will be able to make a decision after reading the detailed tests Intel Core i3-N305 vs Intel Core i3-12100 and see which is better for games or normal use for programming, streaming, machine learning, rendering, video editing. Here is all information from various benchmarks or real video editing and streaming tests. A step-by-step analysis of all the technical characteristics, to make it easier to read, is presented in the form of the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in software tests such as DaVinci Resolve Studio, PassMark, UserBenchmark, Blender, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), Gears 5, WPrime, Blender, SuperPi, Handbrake, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, 7zip, GeekBench 6, 5.2, PCMark 10, MATLAB, Furmark, RealBench, AIDA64, 3DMark, Dolphin Emulator, VeraCrypt, Prime95.
   And how good the CPUs are in games:

Fallout 76
Valorant
Grand Theft Auto V
Valheim
Cyberpunk 2077
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Overwatch
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Red Dead Redemption 2
Last Man Standing
DOOM: Eternal
Apex Legends
Fortnite
Watch Dogs Legion
Halo Infinite
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare
Death Stranding
Rainbow Six Siege
Borderlands 3

After looking at the data of joint benchmarks and videos, you already be able to know which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i3-N305.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i3-N305

55%

Core i3-12100

56%

This parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i3-12100 is 1% better than Core i3-N305. The data source is several popular tests. More detailed information of the benchmarks is below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i3-N305

52%

Core i3-12100

54%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a low game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the summary table below.
List of other games in which CPU comparisons were performed: Hitman 3, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Battlefield V, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Microsoft Flight Simulator, League of Legends (LOL), DOTA 2A, Monster Hunter World, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Forza Horizon 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Half-Life: Alyx, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Ghostrunner, Metro Exodus, NBA 2K20, Control, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	93.1	96.0
Valorant	105.8	109.1
Cyberpunk 2077	59.3	61.1
Apex Legends	99.5	102.6
Call of Duty Warzone	79.4	81.8
Overwatch	85.7	88.4
Red Dead Redemption 2	73.0	75.3
DOOM Eternal	52.9	54.6
Warzone	82.5	85.1
Assassin's Creed	88.9	91.7
Valheim	87.8	90.6

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers participating in the comparing not only were the equipped with different video cards and different amounts of RAM. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 4K, 2K or FullHD. So the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you compare it in one assembly with the video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i3-N305

501%

Core i3-12100

96%

To make a final resolution on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i3-N305 is more energy efficient than the Core i3-12100 as it consumes less power: 7W vs. 60W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, you need to know its TDP. It is necessary to count so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

If you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for machine learning, video editing or video rendering, programming, streaming, then first of all you need to pay attention to the performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum efficiency, the processor includes all cores and threads that it has. You will learn this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the software that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that can use only one core to work, and all the advantages of multi-core mode are unused.

Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i3-N305	Intel Core i3-12100
Cinbench 15 Single-core	225	267
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	1627	1958
Cinbench 20 Single-core	535	642
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	3691	4447
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1250	1503
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	12158	14658

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i3-N305	Intel Core i3-12100
Single-Core	2918	3516
Multi-Core	17887	20521

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i3-N305	Intel Core i3-12100
Single-Core	1054	1740
Multi-Core	5026	7859

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the release date of the processor and the possibility of overclocking it. The newer the processor, the longer it will last in your computer. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system in the future. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will still be able to produce maximum FPS even in new games. The economy are obvious! Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Intel Core i3-N305	Intel Core i3-12100
Announcement date	January 26, 2023	January 07, 2022
Type	Laptop	Desktop
Socket	FCBGA1264	FCBGA1744
Core name	Alder Lake-N	Alder Lake-U
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	13	12
Turbo Frequency	3.8 MHz	4.3 MHz
Frequency	1.8 MHz	1 MHz
Cores	8	4
Threads	8	8
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	7 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	9800 millions	9800 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	7 W	60 W
Memory type	DDR4 3200 MT/s DDR5 4800 MT/s LPDDR5 4800 MT/s	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s
Max. Memory	16 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency
Memory bandwidth	45.8 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
L1 cache	384KB
L2 cache	2MB	5 MB
L3 cache	6 MB	12 MB
Overclocking	No	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number	Expansion Options

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i3-N305 is 44% better than Core i3-12100 in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i3-N305 has 4 more core than Core i3-12100. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i3-N305 is better: 7
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i3-12100 is better: 25
Although it should be understood that all the data in the text above do not mean that you should be guided entirely by them and trust a simple comparison of these figures. Better to watch the testing video and read the opinion of real owners of Intel Core i3-N305 and Intel Core i3-12100 before making a decision which processor to buy for gaming and which not.

Intel Core i3-N305 - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i3-N305 specs and review.

Intel Core i3-12100 - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i3-12100 specs and review.