Core i3-N305 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U

Intel

Core i3-N305

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2020
Similar parts
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Core i3-N305 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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-N305 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U 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-N305 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U: 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-N305

2023

Why buy it

  • +1.1% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (9,493 vs 9,600).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core i3-N305 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-N305 better than Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U is ahead with a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N305 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i3-N305 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N305 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-N305 is the better buy right now. Core i3-N305 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-N305 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FP6, 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-N305 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-N305

The Core i3-N305 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,600 points. Launch price was $309.

AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U

The Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir PRO (Zen 2) (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-4266. Passmark benchmark score: 9,493 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i3-N305 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N305 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N305 versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-N305 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-N305 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U uses Renoir PRO (Zen 2) (2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-N305 scores 9,600 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U's 9,493 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-N305. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N305 vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U.

FeatureCore i3-N305Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+100%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz+3%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
0.1 GHz
2.4 GHz+2300%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)+50%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per module)
512K (per core)+25500%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-N (2023)
Renoir PRO (Zen 2) (2020)
PassMark
9,600+1%
9,493
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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-N305 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-N305Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U
Socket
FCBGA1264
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0