Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core i5-14400 Comparison

Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core i5-14400 are processors in different classes, and the benchmark data confirms a decisive performance gap. The Intel Core i5-14400 wins every single head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database, 17 out of 17. The Intel Core 3 304, a mobile chip on a 3 nm process, delivers competitive single-thread results but falls dramatically behind in multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tasks. The data positions the i5-14400 as the overwhelmingly stronger processor, while the Core 3 304 is a lower-power mobile part with a different design goal.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14400 wins in every category measured, but the margin varies significantly by workload type. In single-thread tests, the i5-14400's advantage is modest. The PassMark single-thread score is 3741 for the i5-14400 versus 3614 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -3.4%. The Cinebench R15 single-core result shows a similar pattern: 303 versus 264, a -12.9% gap. These results indicate that the Core 3 304's single-core performance is close to the desktop chip, which is notable given the mobile chip's much lower power envelope.

The multi-threaded tests tell a completely different story. The i5-14400 dominates heavily, with deltas ranging from -37.8% in PassMark physics to -75.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 21315 for the i5-14400 versus 5263 for the Core 3 304. That is a 4x advantage in raw multi-threaded rendering performance. The PassMark integer math test shows an even larger absolute gap: 82017 versus 24640, a -70% delta. The i5-14400 also crushes the Core 3 304 in data compression (314995 versus 114775, -63.6%) and random string sorting (32346 versus 13659, -57.8%).

The Core 3 304 has no benchmark wins in the database. Its closest results to the i5-14400 are in single-thread tests, where it trails by small margins. The i5-14400 is the clear winner for any workload that uses multiple cores, while the Core 3 304 is only competitive in lightly threaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built on a 3 nm process node. The i5-14400 uses Raptor Lake-R, a refresh of the Raptor Lake architecture, on a 10 nm process. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads, giving it a 6-thread advantage that directly explains its multi-core dominance.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The Core 3 304 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The i5-14400 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The i5-14400's higher boost clock contributes to its single-thread lead, while its higher base clock and additional cores drive the multi-thread results.

Cache configurations are also very different. The Core 3 304 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-14400 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The i5-14400's larger shared L3 cache is a major factor in its throughput advantage in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-14400 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and supports ECC memory. The i5-14400 also uses a different socket, Intel Socket 1700, versus the Core 3 304's Intel BGA 1516. PCIe connectivity differs: the i5-14400 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core 3 304 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ too: the Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe), while the i5-14400 uses UHD Graphics 730.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i5-14400 is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 21315 versus 5263, a -75.3% delta. This is the single biggest percentage gap in the dataset. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 8952 versus 4160, a -53.5% delta. The i5-14400 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by a wide margin, 2148 versus 849, a -60.5% delta.

In single-core tests, the i5-14400 still leads but by smaller margins. Cinebench R23 single-core is 3009 versus 1765, a -41.3% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core is 1263 versus 587, a -53.5% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core is 303 versus 264, a -12.9% delta. The PassMark single-thread test is the closest result overall: 3741 versus 3614, a -3.4% delta.

Throughput tests show consistent i5-14400 wins. PassMark integer math is 82017 versus 24640, a -70% delta. PassMark data compression is 314995 versus 114775, a -63.6% delta. PassMark random string sorting is 32346 versus 13659, a -57.8% delta. PassMark floating point math is 61549 versus 29722, a -51.7% delta. PassMark extended instructions is 19816 versus 9686, a -51.1% delta. PassMark data encryption is 16731 versus 8501, a -49.2% delta. PassMark multithread is 25080 versus 11625, a -53.6% delta. PassMark physics is 1396 versus 868, a -37.8% delta. PassMark find prime numbers is 80 versus 68, a -15% delta.

The average benchmark score confirms the overall picture. The i5-14400 has an average score of 32115, while the Core 3 304 has an average of 13745. The i5-14400 sits at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 304 sits at the 68th percentile.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-14400 is the superior processor for any workload that benefits from multiple cores or high throughput. It wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with its largest advantages in multi-core rendering, integer math, and data compression. Users running Cinebench, compiling code, or processing large datasets will see roughly 2x to 4x the performance of the Core 3 304.

The Core 3 304's only area of relative strength is single-thread performance, where it trails the i5-14400 by just 3.4% in PassMark single-thread and 12.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core. For a mobile chip with a 15 W TDP versus the i5-14400's 65 W TDP, that is a strong showing. The Core 3 304 is a reasonable choice for a lightweight mobile system where battery life matters more than raw compute. The i5-14400 is the clear pick for a desktop system where performance is the priority.

The i5-14400's dual-channel memory support, larger L3 cache, and 16 threads give it a structural advantage that the Core 3 304 cannot overcome. The Core 3 304's 3 nm process and single-channel memory are suited to low-power operation, not high-end throughput. The data shows a desktop processor that dominates in every measured category.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-14400 scores 21315 versus 5263, a -75.3% delta.

Q: How close are the two in single-thread performance?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the i5-14400 scores 3741 versus 3614, a -3.4% delta. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the gap is -12.9% (303 versus 264).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus. The i5-14400 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i5-14400 has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Core 3 304 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: What are the market segments for these two chips?

A: The Core 3 304 is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, while the i5-14400 is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core i5-14400 |

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

| Cores | 5 | 10 |

| Threads | 5 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

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

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $221 |