Core i3-1305U vs Core i5-1038NG7

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i5-1038NG7 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i5-1038NG7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1305U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1344 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,634 vs 8,823).

Core i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅+2.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-1305U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).
❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1344 with DDR4, while Core i3-1305U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1305U better than Core i5-1038NG7?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-1305U is ahead with a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 pulls ahead with 2.2% better PassMark. Core i3-1305U also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1305U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-1305U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1305U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1344, and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i5-1038NG7 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1305U

The Core i3-1305U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 8,634 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1305U packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i5-1038NG7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-1305U has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-1305U versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-1305U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-1305U uses the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-1038NG7 uses Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1305U scores 8,634 against the Core i5-1038NG7's 8,823 — a 2.2% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,960 vs 1,250, a 44.2% lead for the Core i3-1305U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1305U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7.

Feature	Core i3-1305U	Core i5-1038NG7
Cores / Threads	5 / 6+25%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+18%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)+67%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U (2023)	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	8,634	8,823+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,388	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,960+57%	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1305U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1038NG7 uses FCBGA1344 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Core i3-1305U versus LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1038NG7 — the Core i3-1305U supports 39.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-1305U supports up to 96 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-1305U) vs 16 (Core i5-1038NG7) — the Core i3-1305U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1305U	Core i5-1038NG7
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1344
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200+39%	LPDDR4-3733
Max RAM Capacity	96 GB+50%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1038NG7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-1305U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1038NG7). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3-1305U) and Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Core i5-1038NG7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1305U targets Budget Laptop, Core i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.

Feature	Core i3-1305U	Core i5-1038NG7
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	Iris Plus Graphics G7
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Laptop	Premium Laptop