Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 7 240H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core 7 240H, which wins 15 of the 17 recorded comparisons. The Intel Core 3 304 manages only two wins, both in single-threaded Cinebench tests. The average benchmark score gap is substantial: the Core 7 240H records an average of 31,483 points versus 13,745 for the Core 3 304, a difference that places the two processors 14 percentile points apart (82nd versus 68th percentile among all CPUs).

The most lopsided result appears in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 240H scores 15,764 against the Core 3 304's 5,263, a 66.6% advantage. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar story: 2,360 versus 849, a 64% lead. The Core 7 240H also dominates PassMark integer math, scoring 80,396 versus 24,640, a 69.4% margin, the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison. PassMark data compression favors the Core 7 240H by 57.8% (271,774 versus 114,775), and floating-point math shows a 49.5% edge (58,905 versus 29,722).

The Core 7 240H leads in every PassMark subtest except none; all 12 PassMark tests go its way. The margins range from a modest 4.4% in single-thread performance (3,782 versus 3,614) to the massive 69.4% in integer math. PassMark multithread scores show the Core 7 240H at 23,975 versus 11,625, a 51.5% advantage. PassMark physics follows at 1,723 versus 868, a 49.6% gap, and random string sorting shows a 52.7% lead (28,866 versus 13,659).

The Core 3 304's two victories are narrow but consistent in single-core Cinebench rendering. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 264 versus 249, a 6% margin, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 1,765 versus 1,719, a 2.7% edge. However, Cinebench R20 single-core breaks that pattern: the Core 7 240H wins 1,208 versus 587, a 51.4% margin. The PassMark single-thread test also favors the Core 7 240H, albeit narrowly at 4.4%.

The data indicates that the Core 7 240H is the clear choice for any workload that scales across multiple cores or threads. Its 16 threads versus 5 threads provide a structural advantage that shows up in every multi-threaded benchmark. Even in single-threaded PassMark tests, the Core 7 240H edges ahead, suggesting that its higher boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 4.30 GHz) compensates for any architectural differences.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design generations. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node, while the Intel Core 7 240H is based on Raptor Lake (specifically Raptor Lake-H, part of the Raptor Lake Refresh generation) on a 10 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process difference is significant: 3 nm versus 10 nm.

Core counts differ sharply. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyperthreading support. The Core 7 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating that some cores support hyperthreading while others do not, a common arrangement in hybrid architectures. This explains the large multi-threaded performance gap.

Cache hierarchies are also very different. The Core 3 304 has a 192 KB L1 cache, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core 7 240H lists 80 KB per core L1, 2 MB per core L2, and 24 MB shared L3. With 10 cores, this translates to roughly 800 KB L1 and 20 MB L2 total, plus the larger 24 MB L3. The Core 7 240H's larger shared L3 cache likely helps in workloads that reuse data across cores.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, running on a single-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 7 240H supports DDR4 and DDR5, uses a dual-channel memory bus, and has no recorded bandwidth figure in the database. The dual-channel configuration gives the Core 7 240H a potential memory bandwidth advantage, though exact numbers are not available for comparison.

PCIe capabilities also separate the two. The Core 3 304 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 240H provides PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe generation and higher lane count on the Core 7 240H offer more bandwidth for attached devices.

Integrated graphics differ in branding and execution units. The Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe unit, while the Core 7 240H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 64EU. The 64EU implementation is a more substantial GPU, though neither is intended for high-end gaming based on the data.

Socket compatibility is not shared: the Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core 7 240H uses Intel BGA 1744. This means they are not interchangeable in any given laptop motherboard.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core 7 240H is the stronger processor for nearly all workloads. Its 82nd percentile ranking versus the Core 3 304's 68th percentile, combined with an average benchmark score nearly 2.3 times higher, establishes clear performance superiority. The Core 7 240H wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every PassMark subtest and all but two Cinebench tests.

The Core 3 304's only wins come in two single-core Cinebench tests (R15 and R23), with margins of 6% and 2.7% respectively. These are narrow victories, and they do not extend to Cinebench R20 single-core or PassMark single-thread, where the Core 7 240H leads by 51.4% and 4.4% respectively. The data suggests the Core 3 304 has a slight edge in certain legacy single-threaded rendering scenarios, but the Core 7 240H is at least competitive, and often faster, in other single-threaded tests.

For multi-threaded workloads, there is no contest. The Core 7 240H leads by margins ranging from 33.3% (PassMark find prime numbers) to 69.4% (PassMark integer math). The 10-core, 16-thread configuration, dual-channel memory, and larger L3 cache all contribute to this dominance.

The Core 3 304's advantages are architectural rather than performance-based: a smaller 3 nm process node, support for LPDDR5X memory, and a newer integrated GPU brand (Xe3 Graphics). For users prioritizing battery life or compact designs, the 15W TDP of the Core 3 304 versus the 45W TDP of the Core 7 240H is a meaningful difference, though the database does not include power efficiency benchmarks.

The launch MSRP for the Core 3 304 is $309, and for the Core 7 240H it is $502. The performance gap in multi-threaded tests far exceeds the price gap, but the choice depends on workload: the Core 7 240H for compute-heavy tasks, the Core 3 304 for its lower power envelope and newer process node.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: 5 (Core 3 304) versus 10 (Core 7 240H)
• Threads: 5 versus 16
• Base clock: 1.50 GHz versus 2.50 GHz
• Boost clock: 4.30 GHz versus 5.20 GHz
• TDP: 15W versus 45W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1516 versus Intel BGA 1744
• Codename: Wildcat Lake versus Raptor Lake-H
• Generation: Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) versus Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh)
• Process node: 3 nm versus 10 nm
• L1 cache: 192 KB versus 80 KB (per core)
• L2 cache: 2.5 MB versus 2 MB (per core)
• L3 cache: 6 MB shared versus 24 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR5, LPDDR5X versus DDR4, DDR5
• Memory bus: Single-channel versus Dual-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 59.7 GB/s versus not recorded
• PCIe: Gen 4, 6 lanes versus Gen 5, 8 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) versus Iris Xe Graphics 64EU
• Release date: 2026-04-15 versus 2024-12-17
• Launch MSRP: $309 versus $502
• Part number: SAE3K versus SRQ6TQ5ML

The two processors share the following: Intel as manufacturer, mobile market segment, active production status, non-unlocked multiplier, and no ECC memory support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest recorded gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Core 7 240H scores 80,396 versus 24,640 for the Core 3 304, a 69.4% difference.

Q: Does the Core 3 304 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins two tests: Cinebench R15 single-core (264 versus 249, a 6% margin) and Cinebench R23 single-core (1,765 versus 1,719, a 2.7% margin).

Q: How do their memory configurations differ?

A: The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 240H supports DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15W, while the Core 7 240H has a TDP of 45W.

Q: Which processor has the newer process node?

A: The Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm process node, while the Core 7 240H uses a 10 nm node, both manufactured by Intel.