Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core i3-N305
79Single-core31.4
86.8Multi-core28
44.4Efficiencyspec-based75.3
60.5iGPU34.1
73.9Platformspec-based30.5
17 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus1 spec wins — Intel Core i3-N305
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 36.9, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+59) and single-core (+48). Intel Core i3-N305 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 31
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 28
- Stronger iGPU score: 61 vs 34
- 1500% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 16 GB
- 685% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 5,049
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-N305
- 73% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 55 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2023 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 15 W+73% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+357% | 35 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+200% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 8 | 0 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+100% | 8 |
| Threads | 24+200% | 8 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+50% | 1.8 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+45% | 3.8 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+500% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel UHD Graphics (32 EU) |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 1,250 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+1500% | 16 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+151%Top 11% | 1,274Bottom 6% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+361%Top 9% | 4,681Bottom 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+138%Top 3% | 983Bottom 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+685%Top 2% | 5,049Bottom 13% |
| PassMark | 58,672+528%Top 1% | 9,350Bottom 17% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855+227%Top 36% | 567Bottom 23% |
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