Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 7 253PQE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE records an average benchmark score of 55919, while the Intel Core 3 304 scores 13745. The Core 7 253PQE sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Core 3 304 is in the 68th percentile.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 31390, which is 83.2% ahead of the Intel Core 3 304's 5263. The gap narrows slightly in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Core 7 253PQE leads by 73.2% (3163 versus 849).

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins every single-core test. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4389 versus 3614, a 17.7% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a larger gap: 4431 versus 1765, which is 60.2% higher.

Q: Are there any benchmark categories where the Intel Core 3 304 wins?

A: No. Across all 17 head-to-head tests, the Intel Core 7 253PQE wins every single category. The Intel Core 3 304 has zero wins in the recorded data.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 304 does not. The Core 7 253PQE also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Core 3 304 supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: What are the launch dates and MSRPs?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 launched on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $309. The Intel Core 7 253PQE launched on 2026-03-08 with a launch MSRP of $409.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers an unambiguous outcome: the Intel Core 7 253PQE dominates the Intel Core 3 304 in every measured workload. With 10 cores and 20 threads versus 5 cores and 5 threads, the Core 7 253PQE delivers 5.96 times the multi-threaded PassMark score (41656 versus 11625). Its average benchmark score of 55919 places it 91st percentile among all CPUs, compared to the Core 3 304's 68th percentile.

The Core 7 253PQE is the clear choice for any workload involving heavy parallel processing, content creation, or scientific computing. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 31390 is 83.2% higher than the Core 3 304's 5263, and its PassMark integer math score of 137795 exceeds the Core 3 304's 24640 by 82.1%. The Core 7 253PQE also delivers superior single-thread performance, with a 60.2% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The Intel Core 3 304, by contrast, is positioned for lighter mobile workloads. Its 15 W TDP, single-channel memory bus, and integrated Xe3 Graphics suggest a low-power design. However, the recorded benchmarks show no scenario where it outperforms the Core 7 253PQE. Even in single-threaded PassMark, the closest category, the Core 3 304 trails by 17.7%.

The Core 7 253PQE also offers platform advantages. It supports ECC memory, dual-channel DDR4/DDR5, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a larger 33 MB shared L3 cache. The Core 3 304 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes and a 6 MB shared L3 cache. For desktop users requiring maximum throughput, the Core 7 253PQE is the only rational pick based on this data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 31390 against the Intel Core 3 304's 5263, a delta of 83.2%. This massive gap reflects the core and thread disparity: the Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

PassMark integer math shows the second-largest swing. The Core 7 253PQE records 137795, which is 82.1% above the Core 3 304's 24640. Data compression follows closely, with the Core 7 253PQE scoring 487335 versus 114775, a 76.4% lead. Random string sorting delivers a 74.8% advantage for the Core 7 253PQE (54222 versus 13659).

The smallest gap appears in PassMark single-thread. The Core 7 253PQE scores 4389, only 17.7% ahead of the Core 3 304's 3614. This indicates that the Core 3 304's single-core design is relatively competitive, but still not superior. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 40.8% gap (446 versus 264), while Cinebench R20 single-core shows 68.5% (1861 versus 587).

Multi-threaded Cinebench tests are consistently one-sided. R15 multi-core: 3163 versus 849 (73.2% lead). R20 multi-core: 13183 versus 4160 (68.4% lead). R23 multi-core: 31390 versus 5263 (83.2% lead). The Core 7 253PQE also dominates in PassMark physics (2970 versus 868, 70.8% ahead), floating-point math (105279 versus 29722, 71.8% ahead), and extended instructions (32390 versus 9686, 70.1% ahead).

Data encryption shows a 66.7% edge for the Core 7 253PQE (25515 versus 8501). Find prime numbers: 206 versus 68, a 67% lead. PassMark multithread: 41656 versus 11625, 72.1% ahead. Across all 17 tests, the Intel Core 7 253PQE wins with deltas ranging from 17.7% to 83.2%. The Intel Core 3 304 records zero wins.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core 7 253PQE differ substantially in core configuration. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads. Clock speeds also diverge: the Core 3 304 runs at a base of 1.50 GHz and boosts to 4.30 GHz, whereas the Core 7 253PQE runs at 3.50 GHz base and 5.70 GHz boost.

Power and platform targets are distinct. The Core 3 304 has a 15 W TDP and uses Intel BGA 1516 socket, indicating a soldered mobile design. The Core 7 253PQE has a 125 W TDP and uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop. Market segments confirm this: the Core 3 304 is listed as Mobile, the Core 7 253PQE as Desktop.

Memory support differs. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 253PQE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is available only on the Core 7 253PQE.

PCIe capabilities are unequal. The Core 3 304 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The Core 7 253PQE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe), while the Core 7 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770.

Cache organization is fundamentally different. The Core 3 304 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core 7 253PQE has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. Release dates are close, with the Core 3 304 launching 2026-04-15 and the Core 7 253PQE launching 2026-03-08. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built on a 3 nm process node. The Intel Core 7 253PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel, and neither has a listed architecture name beyond codename.

The core count and threading model are the most consequential architectural differences. The Core 3 304 offers 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core 7 253PQE offers 10 cores and 20 threads, doubling thread count through simultaneous multi-threading. This explains why multi-threaded workloads show such extreme deltas in the benchmark data.

Cache hierarchy reveals different design philosophies. The Core 3 304 uses a small shared L3 of 6 MB, consistent with a low-power mobile chip. The Core 7 253PQE uses 33 MB shared L3, more than five times larger, which benefits workloads with large working sets. L2 cache also scales: 2.5 MB total on the Core 3 304 versus 2 MB per core on the Core 7 253PQE.

Process node differences are notable. The 3 nm node on the Core 3 304 is smaller than the 10 nm node on the Core 7 253PQE, yet the Core 7 253PQE still achieves higher clock speeds and far higher performance. This suggests the Core 7 253PQE's architecture is optimized for raw throughput rather than efficiency.

The Core 7 253PQE supports dual-channel memory and ECC, while the Core 3 304 is limited to single-channel non-ECC memory. The Core 7 253PQE also provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes on the Core 3 304. These platform-level features make the Core 7 253PQE suitable for workstations and servers, while the Core 3 304 targets compact mobile systems.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins every recorded benchmark category. Its largest advantages appear in multi-threaded rendering and compute workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows an 83.2% lead, and PassMark integer math shows an 82.1% lead. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, data compression, or scientific simulations, the Core 7 253PQE is the superior processor by a wide margin.

The Core 7 253PQE also wins in single-threaded tasks, though by smaller margins. PassMark single-thread shows a 17.7% lead, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 60.2% lead. This means the Core 7 253PQE is better for everyday responsiveness, office applications, and lightly threaded software.

The Intel Core 3 304 has no benchmark wins in the database. Its 15 W TDP, single-channel memory, and mobile socket suggest it is designed for efficiency in thin-and-light laptops. The data confirms it delivers far lower performance, but its 3 nm process and integrated Xe3 Graphics may appeal to systems where power consumption and compactness take priority over throughput.

For desktop users who need maximum compute performance, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and high multi-thread scores, the Intel Core 7 253PQE is the clear choice. Its 91st percentile ranking and average score of 55919 place it alongside high-end desktop processors. The Core 3 304, with its 68th percentile and 13745 average, serves a completely different market segment where the trade-off is acceptable.