Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data splits 17 benchmark comparisons between the two parts, with the Intel Core 3 100U winning 9 and the Intel Core 3 304 winning 8. That near-even split hides a stark division in workload types: the 100U dominates multi-threaded rendering while the 304 takes most single-thread and math-oriented tests.

The largest swing appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the 100U scores 10624 against 5263 for the 304, a 101.9% advantage. That is the single biggest delta in the entire comparison. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar pattern, with the 100U at 1070 versus 849, a 26% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core is closer, 4462 versus 4160, a 7.3% edge for the 100U. The PassMark integer math test also favors the 100U heavily: 39580 versus 24640, a 60.6% gap. PassMark multithread lands at 12522 versus 11625, a 7.7% win for the 100U, and PassMark random string sorting goes 15191 versus 13659, an 11.2% margin. PassMark physics is nearly a tie at 876 versus 868, a 0.9% edge for the 100U.

The 304 answers with its own decisive wins. Cinebench R15 single-core shows the 304 at 264 against 150 for the 100U, a 43.2% margin in favor of the 304. Cinebench R23 single-core also goes to the 304, 1765 versus 1499, a 15.1% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core is the exception among single-thread tests, with the 100U ahead at 629 versus 587, a 7.2% edge. PassMark data encryption favors the 304, 8501 versus 8128, a 4.4% margin. PassMark extended instructions goes to the 304, 9686 versus 7894, an 18.5% gap. PassMark find prime numbers shows the 304 at 68 versus 52, a 23.5% advantage. PassMark floating point math is close, 29722 versus 28322, a 4.7% win for the 304. PassMark single-thread (listed twice in the database as single_thread and singlethread) gives the 304 3614 versus 3506, a 3% edge. PassMark data compression is the one compression test where the 100U wins, 136497 versus 114775, an 18.9% margin.

Overall average benchmark scores reflect those splits. The 100U records an average of 16148 and sits at the 70th percentile among all CPUs. The 304 averages 13745 and ranks at the 68th percentile. The 100U's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-10850H at 16204 (0.3% higher), the Intel Core i5-10600KF at 16228 (0.5% higher), the Intel Core i7-1260U at 16320 (1.1% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H at 16341 (1.2% higher). The 304's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 13786 (0.3% higher), the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13868 (0.9% higher), the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 (1.1% lower), and the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13936 (1.4% higher).

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design generations and process nodes. The Intel Core 3 100U uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-U, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process. That node difference likely explains why the 304 achieves higher single-thread scores despite having fewer cores and threads.

Core counts differ substantially. The 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The 304 lacks hyper-threading entirely, which directly explains its poor multi-threaded results in Cinebench R23 where the 100U doubles its score. The 100U's 6 cores and 8 threads allow it to sustain parallel workloads far better.

Cache layouts also diverge. The 100U lists L1 cache as 80 KB per core, L2 as 1.25 MB per core, and L3 as 10 MB shared. The 304 lists L1 as 192 KB, L2 as 2.5 MB, and L3 as 6 MB shared. The 304 has a larger per-core L1 and L2, which contributes to its single-thread efficiency, but its smaller shared L3 hurts multi-threaded cache-sensitive tasks.

Memory support differs. The 100U supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The 304 supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The dual-channel memory path of the 100U gives it more memory throughput for bandwidth-hungry workloads, while the 304 trades that for a simpler, lower-power memory controller.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The 100U offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 304 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The 100U has two additional CPU PCIe lanes, which matters for external devices like GPUs or NVMe drives.

Integrated graphics are different generations. The 100U uses UHD Graphics 64EU, while the 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe). The Xe3 architecture is newer, but the benchmark database does not include graphics scores for either part.

Sockets differ: the 100U uses Intel BGA 1744, the 304 uses Intel BGA 1516. They are not socket-compatible. Both parts have a 15 W TDP, both are mobile segment parts, both are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Release dates show a gap. The 100U launched on 2024-01-07, while the 304 launched on 2026-04-15. The 100U has a launch MSRP of $426, and the 304 has a launch MSRP of $309. Part numbers are SRMYL for the 100U and SAE3K for the 304.

The Verdict

The data points to two different use cases rather than one clear winner. The Intel Core 3 100U is the multi-threaded workhorse. Its 101.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 60.6% lead in integer math, and 26% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core make it the choice for rendering, compilation, or any workload that scales across cores. Its 6 cores and 8 threads, dual-channel memory, and larger shared L3 cache directly support that profile.

The Intel Core 3 304 is the single-thread efficiency champion. Its 43.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, 15.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 18.5% lead in extended instructions show it handles per-core tasks with better responsiveness. The 3 nm process, larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, and higher base clock of 1.50 GHz versus 1.20 GHz all contribute.

For buyers prioritizing throughput in parallel workloads, the 100U wins decisively. For buyers prioritizing snappy single-thread performance, light math tasks, and newer memory technology, the 304 wins. The 100U also holds a higher average benchmark score of 16148 versus 13745, and a higher percentile ranking at 70 versus 68. The 304's 5 cores with no hyper-threading cap its multi-core ceiling hard.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U averages 16148 across all recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U wins with a score of 10624 versus 5263, a 101.9% advantage.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 wins with a score of 1765 versus 1499, a 15.1% advantage.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel. The Intel Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What process nodes are used?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U uses Intel's 10 nm process. The Intel Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm process.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 100U wins in multi-threaded rendering, integer-heavy math, compression, and general parallel throughput. Specific wins include Cinebench R15 multi-core (1070 versus 849), Cinebench R20 multi-core (4462 versus 4160), Cinebench R23 multi-core (10624 versus 5263), PassMark integer math (39580 versus 24640), PassMark multithread (12522 versus 11625), PassMark physics (876 versus 868), PassMark random string sorting (15191 versus 13659), PassMark data compression (136497 versus 114775), and Cinebench R20 single-core (629 versus 587). This is the processor for sustained all-core workloads.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins in single-thread responsiveness, encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number finding, and floating point math. Specific wins include Cinebench R15 single-core (264 versus 150), Cinebench R23 single-core (1765 versus 1499), PassMark data encryption (8501 versus 8128), PassMark extended instructions (9686 versus 7894), PassMark find prime numbers (68 versus 52), PassMark floating point math (29722 versus 28322), and PassMark single-thread (3614 versus 3506). This is the processor for latency-sensitive, lightly threaded tasks.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 3 100U | Intel Core 3 304 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 5 |

| Threads | 8 | 5 |

| Base clock | 1.20 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Wildcat Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 cache | 10 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 59.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |

| Release date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $309 |

| Part number | SRMYL | SAE3K |