Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 5 120HL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results for the Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core 5 120HL. This absence of paired measurements is significant, as it means any comparison must rely on the recorded scores for the Core 3 304 and the architectural characteristics of the Core 5 120HL, which has no benchmark entries in the database.

The Intel Core 3 304 posts an average benchmark score of 13745 across its tested workloads, placing it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival in the database, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, scores 13786, a difference of only 0.3%. This proximity suggests the Core 3 304 sits in a performance tier that is competitive with high-end workstation processors from previous generations, at least in aggregate terms. The Core 3 304 also trails the Intel Core i7-8750H by 0.9% (13868 versus 13745) and the AMD EPYC 7443 by 1.4% (13936 versus 13745), while leading the Intel Core 5 120UL by 1.1% (13594 versus 13745). These narrow margins indicate that the Core 3 304 is positioned in a crowded performance band where small percentage shifts separate adjacent processors.

The Core 5 120HL, by contrast, shows no benchmark data at all in the database. Its average benchmark score is recorded as zero, and its percentile ranking sits at 50. This does not indicate poor performance; rather, it reflects an absence of tested results. The data cannot confirm how the Core 5 120HL would fare in the same workloads that produced scores for the Core 3 304. The comparison is therefore asymmetrical, with one processor fully characterized and the other defined only by its specifications.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core 3 304 wins in any benchmark category where scores exist, simply because the Core 5 120HL has no measured results to compare. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 3 304 scores 849 points, and in R15 single-core it scores 264. The R20 multicore result is 4160, with a single-core score of 587. R23 multicore reaches 5263, while single-core reaches 1765. These results paint a picture of a processor that delivers moderate multicore throughput and competitive single-thread performance for its segment.

PassMark results for the Core 3 304 show a multithread score of 11625 and a single-thread score of 3614. Data compression scores 114775, while data encryption reaches 8501. Extended instructions score 9686, floating point math scores 29722, and integer math scores 24640. Physics processing scores 868, random string sorting scores 13659, and prime number finding scores 68. The Core 3 304 also achieves an average benchmark score of 13745, which places it above the Intel Core 5 120UL in the nearest rivals list, a processor with a similar naming scheme but a lower recorded aggregate.

The Core 5 120HL cannot be assigned any wins from the data, as no benchmark outcomes exist for it. Its specifications suggest it is designed for a different use context, but the database does not provide measured evidence to support a performance advantage in any specific workload. The wins in this comparison, such as they are, belong entirely to the Core 3 304 by default of having recorded results.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 304 compare to its nearest rivals in average benchmark score?

A: The Core 3 304 scores 13745 on average. It is 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13786), 0.9% behind the Intel Core i7-8750H (13868), 1.4% behind the AMD EPYC 7443 (13936), and 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core 5 120UL (13594).

Q: What percentile ranking does the Intel Core 3 304 hold?

A: The Core 3 304 sits at the 68th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 120HL is recorded at the 50th percentile. It should be noted that the Core 5 120HL has no benchmark scores, so its percentile is based on an empty result set.

Q: What is the single-core performance of the Intel Core 3 304?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 3 304 scores 1765. In R20 single-core it scores 587, and in R15 single-core it scores 264. PassMark single-thread results show a score of 3614.

Q: What is the multicore performance of the Intel Core 3 304?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 3 304 scores 5263. R20 multicore scores 4160, and R15 multicore scores 849. PassMark multithread results show a score of 11625.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 120HL have any benchmark results in the database?

A: No. The Core 5 120HL has an empty benchmarks array, an average benchmark score of zero, and no nearest rivals listed. Its performance characteristics cannot be assessed from measured data.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30 GHz. The Core 5 120HL also has a higher base clock at 2.60 GHz compared to 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 304.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 3 304 uses 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120HL uses 12 cores and 16 threads. The Core 3 304 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Core 5 120HL has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Thermal design power differs substantially: the Core 3 304 is rated at 15 watts, whereas the Core 5 120HL is rated at 45 watts.

The socket types are not interchangeable. The Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, a mobile socket, while the Core 5 120HL uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a single-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 5 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

PCIe lanes also differ. The Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core 5 120HL provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe, while the Core 5 120HL includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates are distinct, with the Core 5 120HL released in 2024 and the Core 3 304 released in 2026. The launch MSRP for the Core 3 304 is $309, while the launch MSRP for the Core 5 120HL is $279.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 304 is built on Wildcat Lake architecture with a 3 nm process node. The Intel Core 5 120HL uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS variant, on a 10 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process generation gap is substantial, with the Core 3 304 using a much newer lithography.

Cache configurations reveal different design philosophies. The Core 3 304 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 120HL lists its L1 cache as 80 KB per core and its L2 cache as 2 MB per core, with 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core cache structure of the Core 5 120HL suggests a hybrid core layout typical of Raptor Lake designs, while the Core 3 304 presents a simpler, unified cache arrangement.

Neither processor supports ECC memory. The Core 3 304 targets the mobile market segment, while the Core 5 120HL targets the desktop segment. The Core 3 304 is part of the Wildcat Lake generation, and the Core 5 120HL is part of the Raptor Lake-PS generation. The part numbers differ (SAE3K for the Core 3 304, SRPFR for the Core 5 120HL), and both processors are currently listed as active production parts.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear split in intended use cases. The Intel Core 3 304, with its 15 watt TDP, single-channel memory bus, BGA 1516 socket, and mobile market segment designation, is positioned for power-constrained portable systems. Its benchmark results, including an average score of 13745 and a 68th percentile ranking, demonstrate that it delivers competitive performance within that constrained envelope. The 3 nm process node and Wildcat Lake architecture indicate a modern, efficiency-focused design.

The Intel Core 5 120HL, with a 45 watt TDP, dual-channel memory support, Socket 1700, and desktop market segment, is built for a different environment. Its 12 cores and 16 threads provide substantially higher thread counts, and its 4.70 GHz boost clock exceeds that of the Core 3 304. The Raptor Lake-PS architecture and 10 nm process node are older, but the larger core count and higher clocks suggest a processor designed for throughput-oriented desktop workloads.

Without benchmark data for the Core 5 120HL, the database cannot confirm which processor delivers higher actual performance in any given task. The Core 3 304 has verified scores across Cinebench and PassMark suites, while the Core 5 120HL has none. A user selecting between these two processors would be choosing between a measured, efficient mobile part and a specification-rich desktop part with no recorded performance evidence. The data favors the Core 3 304 for anyone who relies on verified benchmark results, while the Core 5 120HL appeals to those who prioritize core count, thread count, and higher clock speeds on a desktop platform.