Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 5 211TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between the two processors. The Intel Core 3 304 claims 7 wins, while the Intel Core 5 211TE takes 10. The most dramatic difference appears in single-threaded tests. In PassMark single-thread, the Core 3 304 scores 3614 against 1408 for the Core 5 211TE, a 156.7% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core tells a similar story: 264 versus 173, a 52.6% lead for the Core 3 304. The Core 3 304 also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 1765 versus 1722, though the margin here is slim at 2.5%.

The Core 5 211TE dominates in multi-threaded workloads. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the largest gap: the Core 5 211TE scores 12201 against 5263 for the Core 3 304, a 56.9% deficit for the smaller chip. Cinebench R15 multicore also favors the Core 5 211TE by 30.9%, with scores of 1229 and 849 respectively. Cinebench R20 multicore shows an 18.8% advantage for the Core 5 211TE, scoring 5124 versus 4160.

The data encryption test is a notable exception to the Core 5 211TE's multi-thread dominance. The Core 3 304 wins PassMark data encryption with 8501 against 7231, a 17.6% margin. Extended instructions also favor the Core 3 304 at 9686 versus 8615, a 12.4% advantage. Floating-point math goes to the Core 3 304 as well: 29722 versus 26150, a 13.7% lead.

Integer math heavily favors the Core 5 211TE. The score is 33991 against 24640, a 27.5% advantage. Physics simulation also goes to the Core 5 211TE with 1278 versus 868, a 32.1% gap. Data compression shows a 14% lead for the Core 5 211TE at 133434 versus 114775. Random string sorting favors the Core 5 211TE by 7.9% (14838 versus 13659). Prime number finding is nearly even, with the Core 5 211TE ahead by just 5.6% (72 versus 68).

The overall PassMark multithread score is almost identical: 11685 for the Core 5 211TE and 11625 for the Core 3 304, a 0.5% difference. This near-tie is remarkable given the core count difference and suggests the Core 3 304's higher single-thread performance compensates significantly in mixed workloads.

Looking at the database's aggregate metrics, the Core 3 304 has an average benchmark score of 13745, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (0.3% higher), the Intel Core i7-8750H (0.9% higher), and the AMD EPYC 7443 (1.4% higher). The Core 5 211TE posts an average score of 15370, putting it in the 69th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7543 (0.7% higher), the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U (2% higher), and the Intel Core i3-1315U (2.3% higher). The Core 5 211TE's aggregate average sits 11.8% above the Core 3 304's, yet both land within one percentile point of each other, indicating that the overall performance class is similar despite very different workload profiles.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 3 304. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 52.6%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 2.5%, and PassMark single-thread by 156.7%. Its PassMark single-thread score is 3614 versus 1408 for the Core 5 211TE.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The Core 5 211TE leads substantially in most multi-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 56.9% advantage, Cinebench R15 multicore shows 30.9%, and Cinebench R20 multicore shows 18.8%. However, PassMark multithread is nearly tied at 11685 versus 11625, a 0.5% difference.

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons overall?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 3 304 wins 7.

Q: How do the two processors compare in data encryption?

A: The Core 3 304 is faster, scoring 8501 in PassMark data encryption against 7231 for the Core 5 211TE, a 17.6% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Core 5 211TE has an average benchmark score of 15370, while the Core 3 304 averages 13745. This places the Core 5 211TE in the 69th percentile and the Core 3 304 in the 68th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 5 211TE has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, compared to 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 304. Despite the lower boost clock, the Core 3 304 wins most single-threaded tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 3 304 is the clear choice for single-threaded and latency-sensitive workloads. Its 156.7% lead in PassMark single-thread and 52.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate strong per-core efficiency. Applications that rely on encryption also favor this chip, as shown by its 17.6% advantage in data encryption. Extended instruction workloads, such as those using SIMD or specialized instruction sets, run 12.4% faster on the Core 3 304. Floating-point math, common in scientific and analytical computing, shows a 13.7% advantage for the Core 3 304.

The Core 5 211TE is the better option for heavily threaded workloads. Its 56.9% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore makes it suitable for content creation tasks like video rendering and 3D modeling. Integer math performance is 27.5% higher, which benefits general computing tasks, database operations, and compiled code execution. Physics simulation, often used in engineering and gaming physics calculations, runs 32.1% faster. Data compression workloads see a 14% improvement, and random string sorting is 7.9% faster.

The near-tie in PassMark multithread (0.5% difference) suggests that mixed workloads may not see a dramatic difference between the two. However, the Cinebench R23 multicore result indicates that sustained multi-threaded rendering clearly favors the Core 5 211TE. Users running primarily single-threaded applications, encryption-heavy tasks, or floating-point calculations will find the Core 3 304 faster. Users running parallel compilation, video encoding, or simulation workloads will benefit from the Core 5 211TE's core count and multi-thread performance.

Specification Differences

The Core 3 304 uses 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Core 5 211TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads. The Core 5 211TE supports simultaneous multithreading, which accounts for the thread count exceeding the core count. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 304 and 1.70 GHz for the Core 5 211TE. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz and 4.80 GHz respectively.

Thermal design power differs substantially: the Core 3 304 is rated at 15 W, while the Core 5 211TE is rated at 45 W. The sockets are incompatible: the Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the Core 5 211TE uses Intel Socket 1700. The Core 3 304 is a mobile segment part, while the Core 5 211TE is a desktop segment part.

Memory support differs. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 211TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 211TE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 304 does not. PCIe capabilities differ: the Core 3 304 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes, while the Core 5 211TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core 5 211TE includes UHD Graphics 730. Cache configurations are detailed in the architecture section. The Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309, and the Core 5 211TE has a launch MSRP of $221. Release dates differ, with the Core 5 211TE released earlier. The Core 3 304 has a die size that is not recorded in the database, while the Core 5 211TE has a 215 mm² die.

Architecture Differences

The Core 3 304 is built on the Wildcat Lake architecture and uses a 3 nm process node. The Core 5 211TE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel. The process node difference is significant: the 3 nm node allows for higher transistor density and lower power draw per transistor, which helps explain the Core 3 304's 15 W TDP despite its competitive single-thread performance.

Cache hierarchies differ considerably. 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 211TE specifies L1 cache as 80 KB per core, L2 cache as 1.25 MB per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. With 10 cores, the Core 5 211TE's per-core L2 amounts to a total of 12.5 MB, substantially more than the Core 3 304's 2.5 MB. The Core 5 211TE also has over three times the L3 cache at 20 MB versus 6 MB.

The Core 5 211TE supports 16 threads from 10 cores, indicating hyperthreading is enabled. The Core 3 304 has 5 threads from 5 cores, meaning no hyperthreading. This accounts for the Core 5 211TE's strong multi-core performance in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 12201 against 5263.

The Core 3 304 does not support ECC memory, while the Core 5 211TE does. The memory bus is single-channel on the Core 3 304 and dual-channel on the Core 5 211TE, with bandwidth figures of 59.7 GB/s and 76.8 GB/s respectively. The Core 5 211TE's PCIe Gen 5 support with 16 lanes provides more expansion bandwidth than the Core 3 304's Gen 4 with 6 lanes.

Both processors have locked multipliers. The Core 3 304 has part number SAE3K, and the Core 5 211TE has part number SRQDL. Both are listed as active in production. The Core 5 211TE was released earlier than the Core 3 304. The architecture differences explain the benchmark results: the Core 3 304's newer 3 nm process delivers superior per-core efficiency, while the Core 5 211TE's larger core count, hyperthreading, and larger cache pool deliver multi-threaded throughput.