Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core 7 253PTE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a total sweep: the Intel Core 7 253PTE wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 3 304. The largest single gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the Core 7 253PTE scores 119,552 against 24,640, a delta of -79.4%. That is the most lopsided result in the dataset, indicating a massive advantage in raw integer throughput that likely stems from both core count and clock speed differences. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the second-largest margin, with the Core 7 253PTE at 21,276 versus 5,263, a -75.3% delta. This confirms that heavily threaded workloads amplify the Core 7's advantage far beyond what the single-core gap would suggest.

The single-core differences are much narrower but still favor the Core 7 253PTE consistently. In PassMark single-thread, the Core 7 253PTE scores 3,794 versus 3,614, a -4.7% delta. That is the smallest margin in the entire head-to-head table. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a -12.6% delta (302 versus 264), while Cinebench R23 single-core shows a -41.2% delta (3,003 versus 1,765). The R23 single-core result is surprisingly large compared to the PassMark single-thread result, suggesting that the Core 7 253PTE's higher boost clock (5.40 GHz versus 4.30 GHz) pays off more in the longer, more complex Cinebench workload than in PassMark's shorter test.

Intermediate multi-core tests fall between these extremes. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a -53.4% delta (8,935 versus 4,160), while Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a -60.4% delta (2,144 versus 849). The PassMark multithread test shows a -53.6% delta (25,031 versus 11,625). The data indicates that the Core 7 253PTE's advantage grows as the workload scales across more threads, but even at the modest thread counts of R15, the gap is already substantial. PassMark data compression shows a -58.4% delta (275,828 versus 114,775), and random string sorting shows a -51.6% delta (28,227 versus 13,659). Floating-point math shows a -55.8% delta (67,209 versus 29,722), while extended instructions show a -43.4% delta (17,099 versus 9,686). Data encryption shows a -45.2% delta (15,500 versus 8,501). The smallest multi-core gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 7 253PTE scores 82 versus 68, a -17.1% delta, and PassMark physics at -34.1% (1,318 versus 868).

Architecture Differences

The two processors occupy different positions in Intel's lineup, and the recorded specifications reflect fundamentally different design targets. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process node, while the Intel Core 7 253PTE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm node. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyperthreading; the Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads, indicating full hyperthreading support. That alone explains a large portion of the multi-core benchmark gaps, as the Core 7 can process double the threads simultaneously.

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. The Core 3 304 lists L1 cache at 192 KB total, L2 at 2.5 MB, and L3 at 6 MB shared. The Core 7 253PTE lists L1 at 80 KB per core, L2 at 2 MB per core, and L3 at 33 MB shared. With 10 cores, the per-core L2 figures translate to roughly 20 MB total L2, far exceeding the Core 3's 2.5 MB. The 33 MB shared L3 is more than five times the Core 3's 6 MB. Larger caches typically reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data, which helps explain the Core 7's stronger results in data compression and random string sorting, both of which are cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Core 7 253PTE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core 3 has a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth; the Core 7 has a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 also supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 does not. PCIe capabilities differ: the Core 3 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 3 integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core 7 integrates UHD Graphics 730. The Core 3 is marked as Mobile segment, the Core 7 as Desktop. The Core 3 uses Intel BGA 1516 socket, the Core 7 uses Intel Socket 1700. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 and 1.80 GHz for the Core 7; boost clocks are 4.30 GHz and 5.40 GHz, respectively. Power envelopes are 15 W for the Core 3 and 45 W for the Core 7. Both are listed as Active production status, with the Core 3 released on 2026-04-15 and the Core 7 on 2026-03-08. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE has an average benchmark score of 34,962, while the Intel Core 3 304 has an average of 13,745. The Core 7 also sits at the 84th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 68th percentile for the Core 3.

Q: How close is the single-thread performance between the two?

A: The narrowest gap in the entire dataset is PassMark single-thread: the Core 7 253PTE scores 3,794 versus 3,614 for the Core 3 304, a -4.7% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a -12.6% delta, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows a -41.2% delta.

Q: What explains the massive multi-core difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The Core 7 253PTE scores 21,276 versus 5,263, a -75.3% delta. The Core 7 has 10 cores and 20 threads versus 5 cores and 5 threads, plus a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 4.30 GHz and a 33 MB shared L3 cache versus 6 MB.

Q: Does the Core 3 304 have any memory advantages?

A: The Core 3 304 supports LPDDR5X in addition to DDR5, which the Core 7 253PTE does not. However, the Core 7 has a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, compared to single-channel 59.7 GB/s for the Core 3.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 304 does not. This makes the Core 7 more suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

Q: How do the nearest rivals compare for each processor?

A: The Core 3 304 is closest to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (avg score 13,786, -0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i7-8750H (avg score 13,868, -0.9% delta). The Core 7 253PTE is closest to the Intel Core i7-13800H (avg score 34,988, -0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i9-12900HX (avg score 35,003, -0.1% delta).

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core 7 253PTE |

|-------|-------------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 5 | 10 |

| Threads | 5 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 80 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB | 2 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB shared | 33 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $384 |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy: the Intel Core 7 253PTE dominates every recorded benchmark. The Core 7 wins all 17 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from -4.7% in PassMark single-thread to -79.4% in PassMark integer math. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 34,962 versus 13,745, a factor of roughly 2.5. The Core 7 also achieves the 84th percentile versus the 68th percentile, placing it in a higher performance tier overall.

The Core 3 304's closest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX and the Intel Core i7-8750H, with delta values under 1% in both directions. The Core 7 253PTE sits near the Intel Core i7-13800H and Intel Core i9-12900HX, with delta values of -0.1% against both. This indicates the Core 7 is competing with higher-end mobile HX parts despite being a desktop processor, while the Core 3 aligns with older mid-range mobile parts.

The core and thread disparity is the primary structural driver: 10 cores and 20 threads versus 5 cores and 5 threads. The Core 7 also has a higher boost clock by 1.10 GHz, a larger shared L3 cache by 27 MB, and more than double the memory bandwidth. The Core 3 counters with a smaller process node (3 nm versus 10 nm) and lower TDP (15 W versus 45 W), but those advantages do not translate into benchmark wins in any recorded test.

For users prioritizing raw performance in multi-threaded or even single-threaded workloads, the recorded data consistently favors the Core 7 253PTE. The Core 3 304 offers a lower power envelope and a more recent process node, but the benchmark results show no workload where it outperforms the Core 7.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 253PTE wins in every benchmark category recorded, but the magnitude of the win varies by workload type. The largest advantages appear in integer-heavy and multi-threaded tests: integer math (-79.4%), Cinebench R23 multi-core (-75.3%), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (-60.4%). These results indicate the Core 7 is particularly strong for compilation, scientific computing, and any workload that scales with core count and integer operations.

The Core 7 also shows strong results in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks. Data compression shows a -58.4% delta, and random string sorting shows a -51.6% delta. The dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, combined with the 33 MB shared L3 cache, likely contributes to these wins. The Core 3's single-channel 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and 6 MB L3 cache place it at a structural disadvantage in these tests.

Floating-point math shows a -55.8% delta (67,209 versus 29,722), and extended instructions show a -43.4% delta. These are moderate-to-large gaps, indicating the Core 7 handles vectorized and FP workloads substantially better, likely due to the higher core count and boost clock.

The narrowest wins for the Core 7 are in single-threaded tests. PassMark single-thread shows only a -4.7% delta (3,794 versus 3,614), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows -12.6% (302 versus 264). This suggests that for lightly threaded, short-duration tasks, the Core 3 304 is nearly competitive. The higher boost clock of the Core 7 (5.40 GHz versus 4.30 GHz) still gives it the edge, but the gap is much smaller than in multi-core tests.

PassMark find prime numbers shows a -17.1% delta (82 versus 68), the smallest multi-core gap. This workload may be less sensitive to cache size and more dependent on single-core integer speed, where the Core 7's boost clock advantage is muted by the shorter burst nature of the test.

The Intel Core 3 304 does not win any recorded benchmark. Its role in the data is defined by proximity to its nearest rivals, not by outperforming the Core 7. The Core 3 sits within 1.1% of the Intel Core 5 120UL and within 1.4% of the AMD EPYC 7443, indicating it occupies a specific performance band around the 13,700 to 13,900 average score range. The Core 7, by contrast, sits within 0.2% of the Intel Xeon 6349P and AMD Ryzen 5 150, with average scores around 34,900 to 35,000.

The use-case split from the data is straightforward: for any workload where multi-threading, cache capacity, or memory bandwidth matters, the Core 7 253PTE is the clear choice. For power-constrained mobile applications where the 15 W envelope and single-channel memory are acceptable, the Core 3 304 exists as a lower-performance option, but the benchmarks do not show any scenario where it wins against the Core 7.