Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core i7-14701E Comparison

Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core i7-14701E represent two very different Intel design philosophies. The database records 17 benchmark comparisons between them, and the Core i7-14701E wins all 17. The average benchmark score for the Core 3 304 is 13745, placing it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i7-14701E averages 33206, which puts it at the 83rd percentile. The Core i7-14701E sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX and Intel Core i7-13650HX in average score, while the Core 3 304 is within 1.4% of the AMD EPYC 7443 and just 1.1% behind the Intel Core 5 120UL. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the Core 3 304 has distinct characteristics that matter for specific use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-14701E wins every recorded benchmark, but the margin varies dramatically by workload type. The largest single-core advantage appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Core i7-14701E scores 1315 versus 587 for the Core 3 304, a 55.4% deficit for the smaller chip. The smallest single-core gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Core i7-14701E leads with 4305 against 3614, a 16.1% difference. This suggests the Core 3 304 has competitive per-thread efficiency for certain instruction streams, particularly those that do not scale heavily with clock speed.

For multi-threaded workloads, the Core i7-14701E dominates through sheer core count and thread count. It has 8 cores and 16 threads versus 5 cores and 5 threads for the Core 3 304. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score shows the starkest contrast: 22195 for the Core i7-14701E versus 5263 for the Core 3 304, a 76.3% deficit. The Core 3 304 has no multi-threading capability, meaning each core handles exactly one thread, which limits its throughput in heavily parallel tasks.

The Core 3 304 does not win any benchmark category, but its profile suggests it could be suitable for power-sensitive mobile environments. Its 15 W TDP versus 65 W for the Core i7-14701E indicates a fundamentally different thermal envelope. The Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm process node and the Wildcat Lake codename, while the Core i7-14701E uses a 10 nm node with Raptor Lake-R architecture. The newer node allows the Core 3 304 to achieve respectable single-core results despite a much lower boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 5.40 GHz.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E has an average benchmark score of 33206, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745. The Core i7-14701E sits at the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 68th percentile for the Core 3 304.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Core i7-14701E scores 22195 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 76.3% higher than the Core 3 304's score of 5263. This is the largest delta recorded in any benchmark between the two processors.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core i7-14701E supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 304 does not. This is a key differentiator for workstation or server applications that require error-correcting memory.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, which is a mobile socket, while the Core i7-14701E uses Intel Socket 1700, which is a desktop socket. This makes the two processors incompatible with the same motherboards.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i7-14701E has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, which is 1.10 GHz higher than the Core 3 304's boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The base clocks are 2.60 GHz and 1.50 GHz respectively.

Q: How do the PassMark single-thread scores compare?

A: The Core i7-14701E scores 4305 in PassMark single-thread, while the Core 3 304 scores 3614. The delta is 16.1%, which is the smallest percentage difference recorded in any benchmark between the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite reveals the biggest divergences. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i7-14701E scores 2237 against 849 for the Core 3 304, a 62% deficit. The single-core R15 result is closer: 315 versus 264, a 16.2% deficit. The R20 multi-core test shows 9321 versus 4160, a 55.4% deficit, and the single-core R20 shows the same 55.4% deficit with scores of 1315 and 587. The R23 multi-core test delivers the largest absolute gap at 22195 versus 5263, a 76.3% deficit. Single-core R23 is 3133 versus 1765, a 43.7% deficit.

The PassMark suite provides additional granularity. Data compression shows 282939 for the Core i7-14701E versus 114775 for the Core 3 304, a 59.4% deficit. Data encryption is 14862 versus 8501, a 42.8% deficit. Extended instructions produce 18528 versus 9686, a 47.7% deficit. The find prime numbers test shows 176 versus 68, a 61.4% deficit. Floating point math delivers 61873 versus 29722, a 52% deficit. Integer math shows the second-largest gap at 81325 versus 24640, a 69.7% deficit. The multithread score is 26112 versus 11625, a 55.5% deficit. Physics testing shows 2399 versus 868, a 63.8% deficit. Random string sorting produces 29158 versus 13659, a 53.2% deficit.

The single-thread PassMark results are recorded twice in the database with identical values: 4305 for the Core i7-14701E and 3614 for the Core 3 304, both showing a 16.1% deficit. These are the closest results in the entire comparison. The data suggests that in lightly threaded workloads with simple instruction patterns, the Core 3 304's newer architecture and lower power envelope allow it to remain relatively competitive, despite the significant clock speed disadvantage.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ substantially. The Core i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Core i7-14701E implements simultaneous multi-threading, effectively doubling its thread count, while the Core 3 304 has no such capability. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz for the Core i7-14701E and 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 304. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 4.30 GHz respectively.

The thermal design power differs by 50 W: 65 W for the Core i7-14701E versus 15 W for the Core 3 304. The Core i7-14701E uses a 257 mm² die size, while the Core 3 304 has no recorded die size. The Core i7-14701E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, while the Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus. The Core i7-14701E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the Core 3 304 has no bandwidth figure in the database.

PCIe support differs significantly. The Core i7-14701E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes. ECC memory support is present on the Core i7-14701E but absent on the Core 3 304. The market segments differ: the Core i7-14701E is a desktop processor, while the Core 3 304 targets mobile. The Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309, while the Core i7-14701E has no recorded MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is part of the Core 3 generation, built on a 3 nm process node. The Core i7-14701E uses the Raptor Lake-R codename and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, built on a 10 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process node difference of 7 nm is significant for efficiency and transistor density.

Cache configurations differ in structure. 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 i7-14701E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. With 8 cores, the Core i7-14701E has a total L1 cache of 640 KB and L2 cache of 16 MB, assuming the per-core figures apply across all cores. The L3 cache advantage for the Core i7-14701E is 27 MB.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 3 304 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core i7-14701E features UHD Graphics 770. The Core 3 304's graphics are based on a newer architecture generation, but the single Xe core limits its graphical throughput. The Core i7-14701E's UHD Graphics 770 is a more established solution for desktop workloads.

The release dates show a generation gap. The Core i7-14701E was released on 2024-06-30, while the Core 3 304 was released on 2026-04-15. The Core 3 304 is nearly two years newer and uses the more advanced process node, which explains its lower power consumption despite a much smaller transistor budget.

The Verdict

The benchmark data provides a clear answer for different user profiles. The Core i7-14701E is the superior processor for multi-threaded desktop workloads. Its 76.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 69.7% advantage in PassMark integer math confirm that applications using many threads will see massive gains. The 16 threads versus 5 threads, 33 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB, and dual-channel memory versus single-channel all contribute to this result. The 83rd percentile ranking versus the 68th percentile for the Core 3 304 reinforces this positioning.

The Core 3 304 does not win any benchmark, but its 15 W TDP and 3 nm process node indicate a fundamentally different design goal. Mobile devices that prioritize battery life and thermal headroom would benefit from the Core 3 304's lower power envelope. The single-channel memory support and 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes suggest a lightweight mobile platform rather than a high-throughput desktop setup. The 16.1% single-thread deficit in PassMark shows that the Core 3 304 is not far behind in lightly threaded tasks, making it suitable for everyday productivity on the go.

The data does not support any use case where the Core 3 304 outperforms the Core i7-14701E in raw compute. However, the 68th percentile ranking for the Core 3 304 means it outperforms a majority of all recorded CPUs, which is notable given its low power draw. The Core i7-14701E's 83rd percentile places it among the top tier of desktop processors. Users who need maximum throughput for rendering, compilation, or data processing should choose the Core i7-14701E. Users who prioritize portability and power efficiency should consider the Core 3 304, accepting its single-channel memory and lack of ECC support.