Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 7 150U Comparison

Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core 7 150U are both active mobile processors from Intel, but they target different performance tiers within the same 15 W TDP envelope. The Core 7 150U holds a decisive lead in most multi-threaded workloads, while the Core 3 304 shows surprising strength in a few specific single-threaded and specialized tests. The benchmark data reveals a clear split in workload suitability, driven by fundamental differences in core count, architecture, and memory configuration.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 7 150U wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, and its victories are often substantial. The largest gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the Core 7 scores 51057 against 24640 for the Core 3, a delta of -51.7%. This is the single biggest performance differential in the entire dataset. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 7 delivers 1505.5 points versus 849 points, a -43.6% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 8883 for the Core 7 against 5263 for the Core 3, a -40.8% margin. The Core 7 also leads in PassMark multithread (14700 vs 11625, -20.9%), PassMark data compression (158622 vs 114775, -27.6%), and PassMark random string sorting (18269 vs 13659, -25.2%).

The Core 3 304 claims wins in five tests, four of which are single-threaded or specialized. Its strongest victory is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 68 against 58, a 17.2% lead. In PassMark extended instructions, the Core 3 scores 9686 versus 8748, a 10.7% advantage. The two single-thread PassMark entries (single_thread and singlethread) both record 3614 for the Core 3 against 3508 for the Core 7, a 3% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 3 wins 264 to 254, a 3.9% margin.

However, the Core 7 reasserts control in the other single-core tests. Cinebench R20 single-core goes to the Core 7 at 740 versus 587, a -20.7% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core favors the Core 7 at 1875.5 against 1765, a -5.9% margin. The Core 7 also wins PassMark floating point math (34405 vs 29722, -13.6%), PassMark physics (1012 vs 868, -14.2%), PassMark data encryption (10025 vs 8501, -15.2%), and Cinebench R20 multi-core (5248 vs 4160, -20.7%).

The average benchmark score reflects this overall dominance. The Core 7 150U records an average benchmark score of 17395, while the Core 3 304 averages 13745. The Core 7 sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 3 sits at the 68th percentile. The Core 7's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (delta 0.4%), AMD Ryzen 3 210 (delta 0.4%), AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE (delta -0.5%), and AMD Ryzen 5 4600G (delta -0.6%). The Core 3's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (delta -0.3%), Intel Core i7-8750H (delta -0.9%), Intel Core 5 120UL (delta 1.1%), and AMD EPYC 7443 (delta -1.4%). The Core 7's closest competitor in the database is just 0.4% above it, while the Core 3's closest competitor is 0.3% below it.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built on a 3 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The Core 7 150U uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-U, on a 10 nm process node. This process difference is notable: the Core 3 uses a significantly smaller 3 nm node compared to the Core 7's 10 nm node, yet the Core 7 still achieves higher performance in most tests due to its larger core configuration.

Core counts diverge sharply. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning it lacks hyper-threading. The Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads, a configuration that provides both more physical cores and additional logical threads. This explains the multi-threaded performance gap: the Core 7 has double the cores and more than double the threads.

Cache hierarchies also differ. 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 7 150U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7's L3 cache is twice the size of the Core 3's entire L3 pool, which benefits workloads with larger working sets.

Memory support and bus width present another major distinction. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 7 150U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel memory bus, though its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. The dual-channel configuration on the Core 7 provides a structural advantage for memory-sensitive tasks, even without a specific bandwidth figure to compare.

PCIe lane counts differ as well. The Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 150U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Core 7 has two additional CPU-attached PCIe lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the Core 3 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe unit, while the Core 7 uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Core 7's iGPU has a substantially higher execution unit count, which suggests stronger graphics throughput, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the dataset.

Socket types differ: the Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core 7 150U uses Intel BGA 1744. Both processors have unlocked multipliers set to false, and both have ECC memory support set to false. The Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309. The Core 7 150U has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 150U wins in all multi-core rendering workloads. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all favor the Core 7 by margins ranging from -20.7% to -43.6%. The Core 7 also wins PassMark multithread, floating point math, integer math, physics, data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting. These results indicate the Core 7 is the stronger choice for parallel compute, rendering, compression, encryption, and general productivity tasks that can use more than 5 threads.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins in PassMark find prime numbers and PassMark extended instructions. Its 17.2% lead in prime number finding suggests an advantage in workloads with a high degree of instruction-level parallelism or specific arithmetic patterns that do not scale with core count. Its 10.7% lead in extended instructions points to stronger SIMD or specialized instruction handling in certain scenarios. The Core 3 also wins in Cinebench R15 single-core by a narrow 3.9% margin and in PassMark single-thread tests by 3%.

The single-thread picture is mixed. The Core 3 wins Cinebench R15 single-core and PassMark single-thread, but the Core 7 wins Cinebench R20 single-core by a large -20.7% margin and Cinebench R23 single-core by -5.9%. The Core 7's boost clock of 5.40 GHz exceeds the Core 3's 4.30 GHz boost clock, yet the Core 3 still wins in some single-thread tests. This suggests the Core 3's newer 3 nm process and Wildcat Lake architecture provide better per-clock efficiency in certain workloads, while the Core 7's higher boost clock carries it through others.

For users running heavily threaded workloads, the Core 7 150U is the clear performer. For workloads that favor prime number calculations, extended instruction sets, or specific single-thread patterns, the Core 3 304 holds an edge. The Core 3's wins are narrower on average than the Core 7's losses, so the Core 7's overall benchmark average reflects its broader dominance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 and 1.80 GHz for the Core 7. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 and 5.40 GHz for the Core 7. Both have a TDP of 15 W. The Core 3 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core 7 uses Intel BGA 1744.

Process nodes differ: the Core 3 uses 3 nm, the Core 7 uses 10 nm. The Core 3's codename is Wildcat Lake, while the Core 7's codename is Raptor Lake-U. The Core 3 has no recorded architecture field, while the Core 7 records Raptor Lake. Cache configurations differ: the Core 3 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3; the Core 7 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the Core 3 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth; the Core 7 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory bus and no recorded bandwidth. PCIe lanes differ: 6 lanes for the Core 3, 8 lanes for the Core 7, both Gen 4. Integrated graphics differ: Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe unit for the Core 3, Iris Xe Graphics 96EU for the Core 7. The Core 3 has a launch MSRP of $309; the Core 7 has none recorded. Release dates differ: the Core 3 released on 2026-04-15, the Core 7 on 2024-01-07. Part numbers differ: SAE3K for the Core 3, SRMYP for the Core 7. Both have ECC memory disabled and both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Core 7 150U in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 scores 8883 against 5263 for the Core 3, a -40.8% difference. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 7 scores 1505.5 against 849, a -43.6% difference.

Q: Does the Core 3 304 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 5 of 17 head-to-head tests: Cinebench R15 single-core, PassMark extended instructions, PassMark find prime numbers, and both PassMark single-thread entries.

Q: What memory configurations do the two processors support?

A: The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 150U supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and no recorded bandwidth.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Core 3 304 is built on a 3 nm process node, while the Core 7 150U is built on a 10 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Core 3 304 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the Core 7 150U has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core 7 150U has an average benchmark score of 17395, while the Core 3 304 has an average benchmark score of 13745.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 150U is the stronger processor overall, winning 12 of 17 comparisons and posting an average benchmark score 3650 points higher than the Core 3 304. Its 10 cores and 12 threads give it a decisive advantage in multi-threaded workloads, and its dual-channel memory support and larger 12 MB L3 cache support that core advantage. The Core 7 is positioned at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, above the Core 3's 68th percentile.

The Intel Core 3 304 is not without merit. Its 3 nm process node and Wildcat Lake architecture deliver wins in prime number finding, extended instructions, Cinebench R15 single-core, and PassMark single-thread tests. For workloads that fit within 5 threads and favor the specific instruction patterns where it excels, the Core 3 can outperform the Core 7. Its single-channel memory bus and smaller cache limit its reach, however.

The data indicates that the Core 7 150U should be the pick for multi-threaded productivity, rendering, compression, encryption, and any workload that can use more than 5 threads. The Core 3 304 should be the pick for specialized single-thread workloads that match its strengths, particularly those involving prime number calculations and extended instruction sets. The Core 7's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz and larger cache make it the more versatile processor for general use, while the Core 3's efficiency on a 3 nm node makes it a focused alternative for narrow single-thread tasks.