Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core i5-14600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive victory for the Intel Core i5-14600 across every single recorded test. The Intel Core 3 304 does not win a single head-to-head comparison among the 17 benchmark entries. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core i5-14600 scores 30,464 against the Core 3 304's 5,263, a delta of -82.7% for the Core 3 304. This is the widest gap in the entire dataset, reflecting the massive difference in multi-threaded workload capability.

The single-core results also favor the Core i5-14600, though by a narrower margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core i5-14600 scores 4,300 versus 1,765, a delta of -59%. In Passmark single-thread, the Core i5-14600 scores 4,167 against 3,614, a delta of only -13.3%. This is the closest contest in the entire comparison, indicating that the Core 3 304's architecture performs relatively better in lightly threaded tasks, although it still trails.

Integer math shows one of the more lopsided results. The Core i5-14600 posts 117,078 in Passmark integer math, while the Core 3 304 manages 24,640, a delta of -79%. Data compression follows a similar pattern: 434,620 for the Core i5-14600 versus 114,775 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -73.6%. Floating point math also heavily favors the Core i5-14600 at 85,759 versus 29,722, a delta of -65.3%.

The Cinebench R15 and R20 suites show consistent advantages for the Core i5-14600. In R15 multi-core, the Core i5-14600 scores 3,070 versus 849, a delta of -72.3%. In R20 multi-core, the scores are 12,794 versus 4,160, a delta of -67.5%. Single-core results in those same suites show deltas of -39% and -67.5% respectively.

The Passmark extended instructions test shows the Core i5-14600 at 25,674 versus 9,686, a delta of -62.3%. Random string sorting favors the Core i5-14600 at 48,043 versus 13,659, a delta of -71.6%. Prime number finding shows the Core i5-14600 at 155 versus 68, a delta of -56.1%. Physics simulation scores 2,330 for the Core i5-14600 versus 868 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -62.7%. Data encryption results show 25,082 versus 8,501, a delta of -66.1%. The multi-thread Passmark score is 35,848 for the Core i5-14600 versus 11,625 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -67.6%.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-14600 wins every category. Its strongest relative advantages appear in multi-core workloads, with the largest deltas in Cinebench R23 multi-core (-82.7%), integer math (-79%), and data compression (-73.6%). These results indicate that the Core i5-14600 is the clear choice for rendering, compilation, video encoding, and any task that scales with thread count.

The Core 3 304 shows its best relative performance in single-threaded tests. The Passmark single-thread delta of only -13.3% is the smallest gap in the dataset. The Cinebench R15 single-core delta of -39% is the second smallest. This suggests that the Core 3 304's Wildcat Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process, provides competitive per-core efficiency even though it loses overall.

For power-constrained environments, the Core 3 304 has a 15 W TDP and targets the mobile segment, while the Core i5-14600 has a 65 W TDP and targets desktop systems. The Core 3 304 uses a single-channel memory bus, which limits memory bandwidth to 59.7 GB/s, whereas the Core i5-14600 uses a dual-channel bus. The Core i5-14600 also supports DDR4 in addition to DDR5, while the Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X only.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and manufacturing nodes. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-14600 uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel.

The core configurations differ substantially. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core i5-14600 has 14 cores and 20 threads, indicating a hybrid layout with performance and efficiency cores. The Core i5-14600 also has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz and boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost on the Core 3 304.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. 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 i5-14600 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The total L3 advantage for the Core i5-14600 is four times that of the Core 3 304.

Memory support differs in both type and channel configuration. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i5-14600 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. ECC memory is supported on the Core i5-14600 but not on the Core 3 304.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core i5-14600 provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core i5-14600 uses UHD Graphics 770.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, a mobile socket, while the Core i5-14600 uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The die size for the Core i5-14600 is 257 mm²; no die size is recorded for the Core 3 304.

The Core i5-14600 has a 65 W TDP and a 14-core, 20-thread configuration, while the Core 3 304 has a 15 W TDP and 5 cores with 5 threads. Both processors have locked multipliers. Release dates differ: the Core i5-14600 launched in January 2024, while the Core 3 304 is dated April 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 has an average benchmark score of 44,889, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 3 304 has an average benchmark score of 13,745, placing it in the 68th percentile.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core i5-14600 scores 30,464 versus 5,263 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -82.7% for the Core 3 304. This is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head set.

Q: Does the Core 3 304 win any benchmark?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head data shows 17 benchmark comparisons, and the Core i5-14600 wins all 17.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two?

A: The closest result is Passmark single-thread, where the Core i5-14600 scores 4,167 versus 3,614 for the Core 3 304, a delta of -13.3%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Core i5-14600 has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 does not.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Core i5-14600 supports DDR4 and DDR5.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core i5-14600 |

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

| Cores | 5 | 14 |

| Threads | 5 | 20 |

| Base clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.20 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 |

| Die size | Not recorded | 257 mm² |

| L1 cache | 192 KB | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 2.5 MB | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 6 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $255 |

| Release date | April 2026 | January 2024 |

| Part number | SAE3K | SRN44 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | No |

The Verdict

The recorded data presents an unambiguous outcome. The Intel Core i5-14600 outperforms the Intel Core 3 304 in every benchmark category, with multi-core deltas frequently exceeding -70% and single-core deltas ranging from -13.3% to -67.5%. The Core i5-14600 also offers double the L3 cache, support for ECC memory, a dual-channel memory bus, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

The Core 3 304's advantages are limited to its 3 nm process node, lower 15 W TDP, and mobile form factor with a BGA 1516 socket. Its single-thread performance gap is the smallest at -13.3% in Passmark, which suggests the architecture is efficient per watt, but it cannot compensate for the Core i5-14600's overwhelming multi-core lead.

The average benchmark scores place the Core i5-14600 in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 304 sits in the 68th percentile. The nearest rival data for the Core i5-14600 includes the Core i9-12900KS at a delta of -0.5%, while the Core 3 304's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at a delta of -0.3%. Neither processor approaches the other's performance tier.

Users requiring desktop performance, high thread counts, and extensive cache should select the Core i5-14600. The data supports its use for multi-threaded workloads such as rendering, compilation, and content creation. Users requiring a low-power mobile processor with a modern 3 nm process may consider the Core 3 304, but the benchmark results indicate it is not competitive with the Core i5-14600 in any measured workload.