i3-N305 vs i9-12900KS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-12900KS
2022
16 cores / 24 threads, 150 Watt
27.71
+342%
Core i3-N305
2023
8 cores / 8 threads, 15 Watt
6.27

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i3-N305 by a whopping 342% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1721065
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Power efficiency17.4839.56
Architecture codenameAlder Lake-S (2022)Alder Lake-N (2023)
Release date5 April 2022 (2 years ago)3 January 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$309

Detailed specifications

Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads248
Base clock speed3.4 GHz0.1 GHz
Boost clock speed5.3 GHz3.8 GHz
L1 cache80K (per core)96 KB (per core)
L2 cache1.25 MB (per core)2 MB (per module)
L3 cache30 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithographyIntel 7 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size215 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature90 °C105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1700FCBGA1264
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
TSX+-
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring++
GPIOno data+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Deep Learning Boost+-

Security technologies

Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR5-4800, DDR4-3200DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB16 GB
Max memory channels21
Maximum memory bandwidth76.8 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 770Intel UHD Graphics
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.55 GHz1.25 GHz
Execution Units3232

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported43

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @ 60Hz4096 x 2160@60Hz
Max resolution over eDP5120 x 3200 @ 120Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz4096 x 2160@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212.1
OpenGL4.54.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.03.0
PCI Express lanes209
USB revisionno data2.0/3.2

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-12900KS 27.71
+342%
i3-N305 6.27

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-12900KS 44014
+342%
i3-N305 9956

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 27.71 6.27
Integrated graphics card 6.15 5.58
Recency 5 April 2022 3 January 2023
Physical cores 16 8
Threads 24 8
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 15 Watt

i9-12900KS has a 341.9% higher aggregate performance score, 10.2% faster integrated GPU, and 100% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

i3-N305, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 8 months, and 900% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900KS is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-N305 in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-12900KS is a desktop processor while Core i3-N305 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-12900KS and Core i3-N305, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-12900KS
Core i9-12900KS
Intel Core i3-N305
Core i3-N305

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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