CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a fascinating generational clash: a 2018-era six-core mobile workhorse against a 2026-era five-core low-power part. While the older Intel Core i7-8750H retains a narrow lead in average benchmark score (13,868 vs. 13,745), the head-to-head results reveal a decisive shift in workload dominance. The Intel Core 3 304 wins 13 of the 17 direct comparisons, but the i7-8750H’s victories are substantial and specific, painting a picture of two very different design philosophies.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i7-8750H delivers a crushing 57.2% victory over the Core 3 304 (8,274 vs. 5,263). This is the single largest delta in either direction and demonstrates the raw throughput advantage of having more physical cores and threads when a workload can fully utilize them. The i7-8750H’s 6 cores and 12 threads simply outmuscle the Core 3 304’s 5 cores and 5 threads in heavily parallelized rendering tasks.

However, the Core 3 304 strikes back hard in single-threaded performance. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads by 33.8% (1,765 vs. 1,168). The gap is even more pronounced in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Core 3 304 nearly doubles the i7-8750H’s score (264 vs. 117), a 55.7% advantage. This pattern repeats across PassMark’s single-thread tests: a 37% lead in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread (3,614 vs. 2,276). The newer architecture’s higher boost clock (4.30 GHz vs. 4.10 GHz) and superior IPC are clearly evident.

Beyond single-core, the Core 3 304 dominates in several specialized workloads. PassMark data encryption shows a 60.1% advantage (8,501 vs. 3,388), suggesting a significantly more efficient cryptographic engine. PassMark find prime numbers also shows a 60.3% lead (68 vs. 27), indicating superior integer throughput per cycle. The Core 3 304 also wins in passmark_floating_point_math by 25.4% (29,722 vs. 22,179) and passmark_physics by 30.4% (868 vs. 604).

The i7-8750H’s other wins are equally telling. PassMark integer math shows a 44.6% advantage (35,629 vs. 24,640), which pairs with a 36.3% win in random string sorting (18,622 vs. 13,659). Data compression also favors the older chip by 21.5% (139,418 vs. 114,775). These are classic multi-threaded, memory-latency-sensitive workloads where having more cores and a larger shared L3 cache (12 MB vs. 6 MB) makes a tangible difference. The overall score distribution is stark: the i7-8750H wins big in multi-core throughput, while the Core 3 304 wins everywhere else, often by wide margins.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divergence starts with the process node. The i7-8750H is built on Intel’s 14 nm process, while the Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm node. This explains the massive efficiency gap: the i7-8750H has a 45 W TDP, whereas the Core 3 304 sips power at just 15 W. This is a threefold reduction in power envelope, yet the Core 3 304 still manages to win a majority of benchmarks, a testament to the architectural leap.

Core counts also differ fundamentally. The i7-8750H offers 6 cores and 12 threads with Hyper-Threading, while the Core 3 304 provides 5 cores and 5 threads with no multi-threading. This is why the older chip wins in multi-threaded workloads. The cache hierarchy reflects the core count difference: the i7-8750H has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 12 MB of shared L3. The Core 3 304 has a smaller overall footprint with 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3, but its per-core efficiency compensates.

Memory support is a major generational shift. The i7-8750H uses DDR4, while the Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and a measured bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The newer chip also utilizes PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, whereas the i7-8750H’s PCIe capabilities are not specified in the data. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i7-8750H has UHD 630, while the Core 3 304 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The sockets are incompatible (BGA 1440 vs. BGA 1516), and the production statuses contrast sharply, the i7-8750H is end-of-life, while the Core 3 304 is active. The part numbers (SR3YY vs. SAE3K) confirm they are distinct silicon.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core 3 304 is the better processor for the vast majority of modern tasks, despite its lower core count. Its 13 benchmark wins, including all single-thread tests, encryption, physics, and floating-point math, indicate a far more efficient and capable architecture. The 3 nm process and newer core design deliver superior performance per watt, making it the obvious choice for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are critical.

The Intel Core i7-8750H remains relevant only in a narrow but important niche: heavily multi-threaded, long-duration workloads that can use all 12 threads. Its 57.2% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 44.6% lead in integer math show that for rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing, raw core count still matters. However, this comes at a severe power cost (45 W vs. 15 W TDP) and is limited by its older architecture’s single-thread performance.

For a user comparing these two, the Core 3 304 is the superior all-rounder. It offers better single-thread responsiveness, faster encryption, and significantly better efficiency. The i7-8750H should only be chosen if the specific workload is known to be highly parallel and can tolerate the higher power draw and older platform. The data does not support a general recommendation for the i7-8750H in 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8750H has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 13,868 compared to the Intel Core 3 304’s 13,745, a difference of 0.9%.

Q: How much faster is the Core 3 304 in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core 3 304 leads by 37% in PassMark single-thread tests (3,614 vs. 2,276) and by 33.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,765 vs. 1,168).

Q: In which benchmark does the i7-8750H have its largest win?

A: The i7-8750H’s biggest victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 8,274 versus the Core 3 304’s 5,263, a 57.2% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-8750H has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Does the Core 3 304 support multi-threading?

A: No, the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, indicating it does not support multi-threading. The i7-8750H has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor is still in active production?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 is listed as "Active" in production status, while the Intel Core i7-8750H is marked as "End-of-life."

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-8750H: This chip is the clear winner in multi-threaded, throughput-oriented tasks. Its 57.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the better choice for 3D rendering, video transcoding, and batch photo processing. The 44.6% edge in PassMark integer math and 36.3% advantage in random string sorting also indicate strength in database operations, compilation, and other integer-heavy parallel workloads. The 21.5% win in data compression suggests it handles archiving and file compression tasks more effectively. For users running sustained, all-core workloads on a laptop that can manage the 45 W TDP, the i7-8750H provides higher absolute throughput.

Intel Core 3 304: This processor wins in virtually every other category. Its 37% single-thread lead means snappier application launches, faster web browsing, and better performance in most legacy or poorly-optimized software. The 60.1% advantage in data encryption makes it ideal for VPNs, secure file storage, and any workload involving cryptographic operations. The 30.4% win in PassMark physics and 25.4% lead in floating-point math suggest better performance in physics simulations and scientific calculations that aren’t fully multi-threaded. Its 15 W TDP makes it the only viable choice for fanless or ultra-portable designs where battery life is paramount. The launch MSRP is $309.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. The i7-8750H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz for the i7-8750H and 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 304, but the boost clocks reverse the order: 4.10 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial at 45 W versus 15 W. The sockets are different (BGA 1440 vs. BGA 1516). The i7-8750H uses a 14 nm process, while the Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm process. Cache configurations are entirely different: the i7-8750H has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 12 MB shared L3, while the Core 3 304 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support shifts from DDR4 to DDR5/LPDDR5X, with the Core 3 304 specifying a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The integrated graphics differ (UHD 630 vs. Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe). The Core 3 304 explicitly lists PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the i7-8750H does not have a PCIe listing. Production status, release dates, and part numbers are also distinct.