Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core i5-14450HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 304 compare to the Intel Core i5-14450HX in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Core i5-14450HX records an average benchmark score of 32040, while the Core 3 304 records 13745. The Core i5-14450HX also sits at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, versus the 68th percentile for the Core 3 304.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-14450HX wins with a score of 20108 against 5263 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -73.8% from the Core 3 304's perspective.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core 3 304 beats the Core i5-14450HX?

A: No. In all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core i5-14450HX is the winner. The Core 3 304 records zero wins.

Q: What is the closest single-threaded result between the two?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, the Core i5-14450HX scores 3643 against 3614 for the Core 3 304, a margin of only -0.8%. Both Cinebench R15 single-core and R20 single-core show larger gaps favoring the Core i5-14450HX.

Q: How do the two processors differ in memory channel support?

A: The Core 3 304 uses a single-channel memory bus, while the Core i5-14450HX uses a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, whereas the Core i5-14450HX supports DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What are the production statuses and release dates?

A: Both are listed as active in production. The Core 3 304 has a release date of 2026-04-15, while the Core i5-14450HX has a release date of 2024-01-07.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 304 is built on Wildcat Lake, a mobile architecture fabricated on Intel's 3 nm process node. The Intel Core i5-14450HX is based on Raptor Lake-HX, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh generation, and uses a 10 nm process node with a die size of 257 mm². The process node difference is substantial: 3 nm versus 10 nm, which places the Core 3 304 on a newer manufacturing technology.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating that 6 of its cores support hyper-threading. This gives the Core i5-14450HX a 3.2x thread count advantage.

Cache layouts differ by design philosophy. 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 i5-14450HX lists per-core cache figures: 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3. The per-core L2 allocation is notably larger on the Core i5-14450HX. The Core 3 304 uses a 6 MB shared L3, which is less than a third of the Core i5-14450HX's 20 MB shared L3.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The Core i5-14450HX includes UHD Graphics 710. No benchmark data is recorded for either integrated GPU in the database.

PCI Express support is another divider. The Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The Core i5-14450HX provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). ECC memory support is present on the Core i5-14450HX but absent on the Core 3 304.

The sockets differ: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 304 and Intel BGA 1964 for the Core i5-14450HX. The Core i5-14450HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 3 304 does not. The Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309; the Core i5-14450HX has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-14450HX dominates every recorded benchmark comparison. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core i5-14450HX scores 20108 against 5263 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -73.8%. This is the single biggest performance separation in the entire data set.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 8445 for the Core i5-14450HX versus 4160 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -50.7%. Cinebench R15 multi-core gives 2026 versus 849, a delta of -58.1%. The multi-core deltas consistently exceed 50% except for Cinebench R20, which lands exactly at -50.7%.

PassMark integer math shows the second-largest gap. The Core i5-14450HX scores 78330 against 24640 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -68.5%. PassMark data compression also shows a wide margin: 278538 versus 114775, a delta of -58.8%. PassMark random string sorting records 29565 versus 13659, a delta of -53.8%. PassMark multithread scores 23680 versus 11625, a delta of -50.9%.

The Core i5-14450HX also wins the floating-point and encryption tests decisively. PassMark floating point math shows 58037 versus 29722, a delta of -48.8%. PassMark data encryption shows 15574 versus 8501, a delta of -45.4%. PassMark extended instructions records 17207 versus 9686, a delta of -43.7%. PassMark physics shows 1475 versus 868, a delta of -41.2%.

The smallest margin is in PassMark single-thread tests. The Core i5-14450HX scores 3643 versus 3614, a delta of only -0.8%. This near-tie indicates that the two processors are closely matched on lightly threaded integer workloads. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a modest gap: 285 versus 264, a delta of -7.4%.

Single-core results in newer Cinebench versions widen considerably. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2838 versus 1765, a delta of -37.8%. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1191 versus 587, a delta of -50.7%. The R20 single-core delta matches the R20 multi-core delta exactly at -50.7%.

PassMark find prime numbers records 98 versus 68, a delta of -30.6%. This is the only PassMark subtest where the Core 3 304 manages to stay within 30 points. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, the Core i5-14450HX wins every test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads; the Core i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 304 and 2.40 GHz for the Core i5-14450HX. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz and 4.80 GHz respectively.

TDP is a major divider. The Core 3 304 is rated at 15 W, while the Core i5-14450HX is rated at 55 W. This 40 W difference reflects the Core i5-14450HX's higher core count and clock speeds.

Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 304, Intel BGA 1964 for the Core i5-14450HX. The Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm process node; the Core i5-14450HX uses a 10 nm process node with a 257 mm² die size. The Core 3 304 has no recorded die size.

Cache specifications are listed in different formats. The Core 3 304 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core i5-14450HX has 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, with 20 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth; the Core i5-14450HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no recorded bandwidth figure.

ECC memory is supported on the Core i5-14450HX but not on the Core 3 304. PCIe lanes differ: Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 3 304, Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core i5-14450HX. Integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) on the Core 3 304 and UHD Graphics 710 on the Core i5-14450HX.

The Core i5-14450HX has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 3 304 does not. The Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309; the Core i5-14450HX has no recorded launch MSRP. Release dates differ: 2026-04-15 for the Core 3 304, 2024-01-07 for the Core i5-14450HX. Part numbers are SAE3K for the Core 3 304 and SRMXK for the Core i5-14450HX.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14450HX wins in every measured category. Its multi-core performance is far ahead, with Cinebench R23 multi-core showing a 73.8% advantage. This makes it the clear choice for heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation. PassMark multithread confirms the pattern with a 50.9% lead.

The Core i5-14450HX also wins in memory-sensitive tasks. PassMark data compression shows a 58.8% lead, and PassMark random string sorting shows a 53.8% lead. The dual-channel memory bus and larger shared L3 cache likely contribute to these results. Integer math shows a 68.5% lead, indicating strong performance in general-purpose computing tasks.

The Core i5-14450HX wins in single-threaded tests as well, but the margins vary. PassMark single-thread shows only a 0.8% lead, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 37.8% lead. This suggests that the Core i5-14450HX has a meaningful architectural advantage in single-core rendering workloads, but the two are nearly identical in light integer tasks.

The Intel Core 3 304 has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its advantages are structural rather than performance-based. It uses a 3 nm process node versus 10 nm, which points to higher transistor density and potentially better power efficiency. Its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than the 55 W TDP of the Core i5-14450HX, making it suited for fanless or low-power mobile designs.

The Core 3 304 also supports LPDDR5X memory, which is absent from the Core i5-14450HX's DDR4/DDR5 support list. Its integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core represents a newer graphics architecture than UHD Graphics 710. The Core 3 304's single-channel memory bus is a limitation, but its memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s is recorded, while the Core i5-14450HX has no recorded bandwidth figure.

The Core i5-14450HX is positioned for performance laptops and mobile workstations. Its 10 cores, 16 threads, 55 W TDP, and Gen 5 PCIe support align with high-throughput workloads. The Core 3 304 is positioned for efficiency-focused mobile systems where lower power draw and a newer process node matter more than raw throughput.

For users prioritizing multi-core performance, the Core i5-14450HX is the only choice based on the recorded data. For users prioritizing power efficiency or a newer manufacturing process, the Core 3 304 offers those traits, but it sacrifices performance across every benchmark in the database. The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the Core i5-14450HX, with no test where the Core 3 304 closes the gap beyond a 0.8% margin in PassMark single-thread.