Quick Verdict
A unique all-E-core processor that offers 8 threads of parallel performance at very low power, but the absence of any P-cores means single-threaded performance is significantly behind hybrid chips. Best suited for devices where core count marketing and power efficiency matter more than snappy responsiveness.
Overview
Launch
2023
Status
ActiveGeneration
Alder Lake-N
Market
Budget Laptop / Mini PC
The Intel Core i3-N305 is an 8-core, 8-thread mobile processor consisting entirely of Gracemont E-cores with UHD Graphics 770, designed for affordable laptops, mini PCs, and entry-level devices at 15W configurable down to 9W.
The Core i3-N305 abandons Intel's hybrid P+E model entirely, using 8 Gracemont E-cores with no Performance cores. This gives it 8 threads that can boost to 3.8 GHz within a 15W TDP (configurable to 9W), paired with UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs at 1250 MHz).
Single-channel memory and PCIe 3.0 with just 9 lanes reflect its budget positioning for affordable laptops and mini PCs.
Specifications
Performance
Adequate for basic office tasks and web browsing. Single-threaded tasks feel slower than on P-core-equipped chips due to Gracemont's lower IPC.
8 threads allow for basic VMs, but single-channel memory and lack of P-cores limit practical utility.
Not designed for gaming despite the better-than-expected UHD 770 iGPU. Very light casual games at low resolutions may be playable.
Very efficient at idle and light loads due to the all-E-core design. The 9W configurable TDP enables fanless or near-fanless operation.
- •Not designed for gaming
- •UHD 770 (32 EUs) is better than UHD 64EU but still far from gaming-capable
- •Single-channel memory severely limits graphics performance
- •Older titles at lowest settings and resolutions may be marginally playable
- •No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- •Gracemont cores include AVX-VNNI but lack the performance for meaningful AI work
- •Not suitable for AI or ML tasks
Architecture
10nm (Intel 7)
Process Node
Gracemont
Codename
8C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-N305 is built on a fundamentally different philosophy than other Alder Lake chips. Rather than using the hybrid P+E approach, it populates the die entirely with Gracemont E-cores—the same simple, efficient cores used as background processors in hybrid Alder Lake designs. This creates a processor with high parallel throughput but low single-thread performance.
CPU Design
8 Gracemont E-cores, each without Hyper-Threading, providing exactly 8 threads. Each core has 96KB of L1 cache (64KB data + 32KB instruction) and shares 2MB of L2 cache per quad-core module (two modules total). All 8 cores share 6MB of L3 cache. The fully dynamic clock domain means each core can operate at independent frequencies based on workload demand.
Memory Subsystem
Single-channel memory controller supporting DDR4-3200 or LPDDR5-4800. The single-channel limitation is a significant performance constraint, halving available memory bandwidth compared to dual-channel designs. This is a deliberate cost-saving measure for the budget target market.
PCIe & I/O
Only 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU—a very limited allocation reflecting the budget positioning. This is sufficient for a single NVMe SSD and perhaps a Wi-Fi module, but not for multiple high-speed devices.
Overclocking
Fully locked BGA part with no user-accessible tuning options.
Key Highlights
- 8 cores provide good parallel throughput for the price
- Very low power consumption with 9W configurable TDP
- UHD Graphics 770 is better than expected for this tier
- Fully dynamic clock domains for granular power management
- Supports AVX-VNNI instruction extensions
- Enables very affordable mini PCs and Chromebooks
- No P-cores means weak single-threaded performance
- Single-channel memory halves bandwidth
- Only 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes severely limit expansion
- 6MB L3 cache is small for 8 cores
- Gracemont IPC is significantly lower than Golden Cove
- PCIe 3.0 is a generation behind the 4.0 support on U-series chips
History
The Core i3-N305 was born from an unusual intersection of Intel's hybrid architecture development and the budget computing market. When Intel designed the Gracemont E-core for Alder Lake, it created a remarkably efficient simple core that consumed very little power and silicon area. The Alder Lake-N series repurposed these E-cores as standalone processors, filling the gap left by Intel's discontinued Atom line.
</br></br>The strategy was both clever and controversial. By branding an all-E-core chip as a 'Core i3,' Intel could market '8-core' processors at price points previously occupied by 4-core Celerons and Pentiums. The 8-core count looked impressive on spec sheets, even though the absence of P-cores meant these 8 Gracemont cores collectively delivered less single-threaded performance than a single Golden Cove P-core in many scenarios.
</br></br>In the market, the N305 found its strongest footing in the mini PC segment rather than traditional laptops. Brands like Beelink, Chuwi, and Kingnovy adopted it enthusiastically for sub-$200 mini PCs, where the 15W TDP, capable iGPU, and 8-thread count provided a compelling upgrade over older Jasper Lake Celeron chips. The single-channel memory and 9 PCIe 3.
0 lanes were accepted as reasonable trade-offs at these price points.
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Budget mini PC or Chromebook purchase where 8-core parallelism at low power is valued, and single-threaded performance is not critical.
Avoid if…
- Snappy single-application responsiveness is a priority
- Gaming is desired even casually
- Running any form of creative software
- The device costs as much as an i3-1215U or i3-1315U laptop
- Future software compatibility with P-core instructions matters
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i3-N305 is one of the few Intel processors to use only E-cores with no P-cores at all, making it architecturally unique in the Alder Lake family.
Despite the 'i3' branding, it has more physical cores (8) than many i5 and i7 U-series processors that use 2P+4E or 2P+8E layouts.
The UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs) on this chip actually has fewer Execution Units than the UHD Graphics 64EU (64 EUs) on the i3-1215U—the '770' naming is misleading.
Single-channel memory means the N305 has exactly half the memory bandwidth of dual-channel processors, significantly impacting both CPU and iGPU performance.
The BGA 1264 package is unique to the Alder Lake-N series and is not shared with any U-series or H-series mobile processors.
The 'N' in Alder Lake-N does not stand for a specific word—it is simply Intel's product line designation for E-core-only mobile processors.
At 3.8 GHz boost, the Gracemont cores reach higher frequencies than in some hybrid Alder Lake chips where E-cores are capped at 3.3 GHz.
The $309 launch price is identical to the i3-1315U despite the N305 having fundamentally weaker single-threaded performance, reflecting different OEM pricing structures.
People Also Ask
Does the i3-N305 have P-cores?
No, the i3-N305 uses only Gracemont E-cores (8 cores, 8 threads) with no Performance cores at all.
Is the i3-N305 good for gaming?
No. Despite having UHD Graphics 770, the single-channel memory and lack of P-cores make it unsuitable for modern gaming.
Why does the i3-N305 use single-channel memory?
It is a cost-saving measure for the budget target market. Single-channel memory reduces motherboard complexity and component count.
Is the i3-N305 better than the i3-1215U?
Not for most tasks. The 1215U has P-cores that deliver much better single-threaded performance, dual-channel memory, and more PCIe lanes. The N305 only wins in specific parallel workloads.
What is the TDP of the i3-N305?
15W base TDP, configurable down to 9W for OEMs who want to prioritize efficiency.
Can the i3-N305 run Windows 11?
Yes, it fully supports Windows 11.
What is the difference between i3-N305 and i3-N300?
The N305 has a higher 15W TDP (vs 7W) and boosts to 3.8 GHz (vs 3.7 GHz). Both have 8 E-cores and 8 threads.
Does the i3-N305 support PCIe 4.0?
No, it only supports PCIe 3.0 with 9 lanes.
What devices use the i3-N305?
Budget laptops, Chromebooks, mini PCs, and occasionally tablets. It is very popular in the mini PC segment from brands like Beelink and Chuwi.
How many PCIe lanes does the i3-N305 have?
9 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU, which is very limited compared to hybrid mobile processors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the boost clock of the i3-N305?
Up to 3.8 GHz on E-cores.
What graphics does the i3-N305 have?
Intel UHD Graphics 770 with 32 Execution Units at 1250 MHz dynamic frequency.
Does the i3-N305 support DDR5?
It supports LPDDR5-4800. Standard DDR5 is not listed in official specifications.
What is the L3 cache size of the i3-N305?
6 MB shared L3 cache.
What is the part number for the i3-N305?
The MM number is SRMDQ.
Does the i3-N305 support Hyper-Threading?
No. Gracemont E-cores do not support Hyper-Threading, so 8 cores equal exactly 8 threads.
What socket does the i3-N305 use?
BGA 1264, unique to the Alder Lake-N series.
Is the i3-N305 good for a home server?
It can work for basic NAS or media server duties, though the single-channel memory and limited PCIe lanes are constraints for storage-heavy configurations.
Does the i3-N305 support AVX-512?
No, it supports up to AVX2 and AVX-VNNI but not AVX-512.
What is the maximum temperature for the i3-N305?
The maximum junction temperature (TJ Max) is 105°C.