Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits these two mobile processors cleanly. The Intel Core 5 330 wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons and posts a significantly higher average benchmark score of 18345, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 3 304, with an average score of 13745, sits in the 68th percentile. For workloads that scale with core count, the Core 5 330 is the clear choice. Its 6 cores, 6 threads, and 4.60 GHz boost clock deliver a 13150 score in Cinebench R23 multicore, a 60 percent advantage over the Core 3 304. The Core 3 304 has one niche: it wins the Cinebench R15 singlecore test by 41.9 percent (264 versus 186). That single win does not offset the Core 5 330's dominance elsewhere. The Core 5 330 is the processor for sustained multithreaded tasks, while the Core 3 304 only makes sense if single-threaded Cinebench R15 performance is the absolute priority, a narrow and unusual requirement.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same foundation. They use Intel's Wildcat Lake codename, are built on a 3 nm process node, and are fabricated by Intel. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. They both use the Intel BGA 1516 socket, target the mobile market segment, and were released on the same date. The Core 3 304 is part of the Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) generation, while the Core 5 330 belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. The core configuration is the primary split: the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. This one extra core explains much of the performance gap. The boost clock also differs, with the Core 5 330 reaching 4.60 GHz compared to 4.30 GHz on the Core 3 304. Base clocks are identical at 1.50 GHz. Cache structures match exactly: 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The integrated graphics differ in execution units. The Core 3 304 has Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core 5 330 has Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Memory support, bus width, and bandwidth are identical: DDR5 and LPDDR5X, single-channel, 59.7 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is also the same at Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. ECC memory is not supported on either part. Both carry a launch MSRP of $309.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a consistent pattern. The Core 5 330 wins nearly every test, with margins that range from moderate to massive. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 5 330 scores 13150 against 5263 for the Core 3 304, a 60 percent difference. This is the largest gap in the dataset. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a similar trend, with the Core 5 330 at 1325 and the Core 3 304 at 849, a 35.9 percent lead. Cinebench R20 multicore favors the Core 5 330 by 24.7 percent, 5523 versus 4160.

The single-core results are closer, but still favor the Core 5 330 in most cases. Cinebench R23 singlecore gives the Core 5 330 a 4.9 percent edge, 1856 versus 1765. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows a 24.6 percent advantage for the Core 5 330, 779 versus 587. PassMark single-thread scores follow suit, with the Core 5 330 at 4088 and the Core 3 304 at 3614, an 11.6 percent difference. The sole exception is Cinebench R15 singlecore, where the Core 3 304 wins decisively with 264 against 186, a 41.9 percent advantage.

In PassMark workloads, the Core 5 330 leads across the board. Data compression scores are 145287 versus 114775, a 21 percent gap. Data encryption shows 11076 versus 8501, a 23.2 percent difference. Extended instructions favor the Core 5 330 by 24.4 percent, 12808 versus 9686. Find prime numbers yields 114 versus 68, a 40.4 percent lead. Floating point math scores 43885 versus 29722, a 32.3 percent gap. Integer math is 33258 versus 24640, a 25.9 percent difference. Multithread results show 15471 versus 11625, a 24.9 percent gap. Physics tests give 1201 versus 868, a 27.7 percent lead. Random string sorting completes the sweep with 17771 versus 13659, a 23.1 percent difference.

The average benchmark scores place these processors in different competitive tiers. The Core 5 330, with an average of 18345, sits within 0.2 percent of the Intel Core 7 360 and within 0.1 percent of the Intel Core i3-14100. The Core 3 304, averaging 13745, is 1.1 percent ahead of the Intel Core 5 120UL but 0.3 percent behind the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX and 0.9 percent behind the Intel Core i7-8750H.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18345, compared to 13745 for the Intel Core 3 304. The Core 5 330 also sits in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 304 sits in the 68th percentile.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 5 330 scores 13150 against 5263 for the Core 3 304, a 60 percent advantage. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 35.9 percent gap (1325 versus 849), and Cinebench R20 multicore shows a 24.7 percent gap (5523 versus 4160).

Q: Does the Core 3 304 win any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Core 3 304 wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with a score of 264, compared to 186 for the Core 5 330. That is a 41.9 percent margin. It is the only head-to-head test the Core 3 304 wins out of 17 comparisons.

Q: Are the two processors built on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes. Both use a 3 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel. They also share the same Wildcat Lake codename and the Intel BGA 1516 socket.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither processor supports hyper-threading based on the thread counts matching core counts.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The Core 5 330 boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30 GHz. Both have the same 1.50 GHz base clock.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 330 is the default choice for multithreaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 13150 is 60 percent higher than the Core 3 304, making it the stronger option for rendering, video encoding, compilation, and any task that uses all available cores. The 6-core configuration provides a tangible advantage across PassMark workloads, with the Core 5 330 leading by 21 to 40.4 percent in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting. The 24.9 percent lead in PassMark multithread (15471 versus 11625) confirms this processor handles parallel workloads with far greater efficiency. Single-threaded performance also favors the Core 5 330 in most tests, with an 11.6 percent lead in PassMark single-thread and a 4.9 percent lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins exactly one scenario: Cinebench R15 singlecore. Its 264 score against 186 gives it a 41.9 percent edge, a result that appears isolated to that specific benchmark version. The Core 3 304 does not lead in any other single-threaded test. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, it trails by 24.6 percent. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, it trails by 4.9 percent. In PassMark single-thread, it trails by 11.6 percent. The data suggests the Core 3 304's win is an anomaly tied to the older R15 test, not a general single-thread advantage. For any other workload, the Core 5 330 delivers superior results.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, thread count, boost clock, integrated graphics, and generation designation. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core 5 330 boosts to 4.60 GHz, 0.30 GHz higher than the Core 3 304's 4.30 GHz. The integrated graphics units differ: the Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core 5 330 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The generation field lists the Core 3 304 as Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) and the Core 5 330 as Core 5 (Wildcat Lake).

All other recorded specifications are identical. Both use a 1.50 GHz base clock, 15 W TDP, the Intel BGA 1516 socket, and a 3 nm process node from Intel. Cache sizes match at 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is the same: DDR5 and LPDDR5X, single-channel, with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes on both. Both target the mobile segment, remain in active production, were released on the same date, have a locked multiplier, and carry the same $309 launch MSRP.