Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the two processors. The Intel Core 5 120U wins 11 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 304 wins 6. The most decisive victory for the Core 5 120U comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 52280 against 24640 for the Core 3 304, a 52.9% advantage. That is the largest single-test gap in the entire comparison.

Multi-core Cinebench results consistently favor the Core 5 120U. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 120U scores 6659 versus 5263 for the Core 3 304, a 21% difference. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 5349 against 4160, a 22.2% gap. Cinebench R15 multi-core also goes to the Core 5 120U with 1150.5 against 849, a 26.2% difference.

The Core 3 304 wins all but one of the single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 264 versus 245 for the Core 5 120U, a 7.8% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 3614 against 3479, a 3.9% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core is very close: 1765 versus 1756.5, a modest 0.5% advantage for the Core 3 304. The exception is Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Core 5 120U wins with 755 against 587, a 22.3% margin.

Other workloads follow the multi-core trend. PassMark data compression favors the Core 5 120U by 31% (166432 versus 114775). Random string sorting goes to the Core 5 120U by 28.3% (19060 versus 13659). Floating point math shows a 17.5% lead for the Core 5 120U (36026 versus 29722). Data encryption is 18.7% ahead for the Core 5 120U (10453 versus 8501). Multithread PassMark shows 15042 versus 11625, a 22.7% gap. Physics tests are closer: 937 versus 868, a 7.4% advantage for the Core 5 120U.

The Core 3 304 wins two specialized PassMark tests. Extended instructions score 9686 versus 9299, a 4.2% edge. Find prime numbers shows 68 against 53, a 28.3% win for the Core 3 304.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core 3 304 is built on Wildcat Lake, fabricated on a 3 nm process by Intel. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake-U, on a 10 nm process. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, all running at a base clock of 1.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Cache layouts differ significantly. 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 120U lists 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 120U therefore has twice the total L3 capacity, which helps explain its multi-threaded advantage.

Memory support also diverges. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and a measured bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus; the database does not record a bandwidth figure for it. The dual-channel configuration gives the Core 5 120U a memory bandwidth advantage in practice.

PCIe lane counts differ. The Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The Core 5 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe execution unit, while the Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80EU.

The Core 3 304 uses socket Intel BGA 1516; the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744. Both are mobile processors with a 15 W TDP. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 304 carries a launch MSRP of $309; the Core 5 120U has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 120U dominates in any workload that scales with core count or memory bandwidth. Integer math, data compression, random string sorting, encryption, and all three Cinebench multi-core tests show large advantages for the Core 5 120U. The 10-core, 12-thread configuration with 12 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel memory gives it a structural edge in parallel processing.

The Core 3 304 wins in single-threaded responsiveness and a few specialized tasks. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 264 is 7.8% higher than the Core 5 120U's 245. PassMark single-thread shows a 3.9% lead. The Core 3 304 also wins the extended instructions test by 4.2% and the prime number search test by 28.3%. These results indicate that the newer 3 nm process and higher base clock efficiency help in latency-sensitive, low-thread-count operations.

The data suggests a clear division: the Core 5 120U is the multi-threaded workhorse, while the Core 3 304 is the snappier single-thread performer. For users running heavily threaded applications, the Core 5 120U shows a consistent 17% to 53% advantage across the recorded benchmarks. For users who prioritize single-core speed, the Core 3 304 holds a smaller but real edge.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Core 5 120U is the stronger overall processor. Its average benchmark score is 17898, placing it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745, at the 68th percentile. The Core 5 120U's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, scores 17891 with a 0% delta, meaning the Core 5 120U sits right at that performance level. The Core 3 304's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, scores 13786, with the Core 3 304 behind by 0.3%.

The Core 5 120U wins the majority of head-to-head tests, including every multi-core Cinebench test and most PassMark workloads. Its 52.9% lead in integer math is particularly notable. The Core 3 304 wins only single-thread tests and two specialized PassMark items. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core 5 120U even wins by 22.3%, so the Core 3 304's single-thread advantage is not universal.

The verdict favors the Core 5 120U for general use, multi-threaded applications, and sustained workloads. The Core 3 304 is the better choice only for users who specifically need the highest single-thread score in Cinebench R15 or PassMark single-thread, or who run extended instruction and prime number workloads. The Core 5 120U offers a higher percentile ranking, a higher average score, and a wider spread of benchmark wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has an average benchmark score of 17898, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745.

Q: How large is the multi-core Cinebench R23 gap?

A: The Core 5 120U scores 6659 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 21% higher than the Core 3 304's 5263.

Q: Which processor wins single-thread tests?

A: The Core 3 304 wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 7.8%, PassMark single-thread by 3.9%, and Cinebench R23 single-core by 0.5%. The Core 5 120U wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 22.3%.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do the two processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Core 3 304 is fabricated on a 3 nm process. The Core 5 120U uses a 10 nm process.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 6 MB of the Core 3 304.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core 5 120U |

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

| Cores | 5 | 10 |

| Threads | 5 | 12 |

| Base clock | 1.50 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| Process node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Raptor Lake-U |

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

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

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

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

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

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

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

| Integrated graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 1744 |

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

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not recorded |

| Part number | SAE3K | SRM7P |

| Average benchmark score | 13745 | 17898 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 68 | 72 |