Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core i9-14900KS Comparison

Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core i9-14900KS

The database places the Intel Core 3 304 at the 68th percentile of all CPUs tested, with an average benchmark score of 13745. The Intel Core i9-14900KS sits at the 96th percentile, averaging 81127. The Core 3 304 is a mobile processor on the Wildcat Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process, while the Core i9-14900KS is a desktop Raptor Lake Refresh part on a 10 nm node. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Core i9-14900KS wins every test. The largest single-core gap is modest, while the multi-core deficits for the Core 3 304 are severe, often exceeding 80%. The following analysis details the recorded data.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-14900KS outperforms the Intel Core 3 304 in every measured workload. The Core i9-14900KS delivers a multi-threaded Cinebench R23 score of 50995, which is 89.7% higher than the Core 3 304's 5263. In single-threaded Cinebench R23, the Core i9-14900KS scores 7199 versus 1765, a 75.5% advantage. The average benchmark score difference is 81127 versus 13745, meaning the Core i9-14900KS is roughly 5.9 times faster on average.

For users selecting between these two, the choice depends entirely on platform requirements. The Core 3 304 is a mobile chip with a 15 W power envelope, soldered to Intel BGA 1516, and supports only single-channel memory. The Core i9-14900KS is a desktop chip with a 150 W power envelope, uses Intel Socket 1700, supports dual-channel memory, and has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 304 targets low-power mobile systems where the Core i9-14900KS cannot physically be installed. The Core i9-14900KS targets high-performance desktop builds where maximum compute throughput is the priority.

The Core i9-14900KS also leads in every single-threaded test, including PassMark single-thread (4815 versus 3614, a 24.9% gap), which is the smallest recorded difference between the two. The Core 3 304 never wins a single benchmark, but its lower power draw and mobile socket make it the only viable option in its intended form factor. The Core i9-14900KS is the clear performance winner; the Core 3 304 exists for a different hardware class.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Core i9-14900KS also supports hyperthreading, as indicated by its thread count exceeding its core count.

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

A: The largest recorded delta is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core i9-14900KS scores 50995 versus the Core 3 304's 5263, a difference of 89.7%. The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Core i9-14900KS scores 4815 versus 3614, a 24.9% difference.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus. The Core i9-14900KS supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 3 304 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s; the Core i9-14900KS has no memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The Core 3 304 is from the Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) generation, released in 2026. The Core i9-14900KS is from the Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation, released in 2024. The Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm process node, while the Core i9-14900KS uses a 10 nm node.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i9-14900KS has a boost clock of 6.20 GHz, compared to the Core 3 304's 4.30 GHz. The base clocks are 3.20 GHz for the Core i9-14900KS and 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 304.

Q: Can the Core 3 304 be installed in a desktop motherboard?

A: The recorded socket for the Core 3 304 is Intel BGA 1516, which is a ball-grid array footprint typically used in mobile systems. The Core i9-14900KS uses Intel Socket 1700, which is a desktop LGA socket. The two are not physically compatible.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core i9-14900KS come from different architectural lineages. The Core 3 304 is based on Wildcat Lake, a 3 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It has no recorded architecture name beyond the codename. The Core i9-14900KS is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, on a 10 nm process node. Both are produced by Intel, but the process nodes differ by two generations in name.

The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. Its cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating hyperthreading on some cores. Its L1 cache is listed as 80 KB per core, L2 as 2 MB per core, and L3 as 36 MB shared. The die size for the Core i9-14900KS is 257 mm²; no die size is recorded for the Core 3 304.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The Core i9-14900KS uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core 3 304 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core i9-14900KS supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core 3 304 has no ECC memory support; the Core i9-14900KS supports ECC memory. The Core 3 304 has a single-channel memory bus, while the Core i9-14900KS has a dual-channel bus.

The power envelope is another major architectural split. The Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 W, placing it in the ultra-low-power mobile segment. The Core i9-14900KS has a TDP of 150 W, a desktop-class power draw. The Core 3 304's socket is Intel BGA 1516, a soldered mobile package. The Core i9-14900KS uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop LGA socket. The Core 3 304 has a locked multiplier; the Core i9-14900KS has an unlocked multiplier.

The release dates are also distinct. The Core 3 304 launched in 2026, while the Core i9-14900KS launched in 2024. Both are marked as Active in production status. The Core 3 304 has a part number of SAE3K, and the Core i9-14900KS has SRN7R.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads; the Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads. The base clock of the Core 3 304 is 1.50 GHz, while the Core i9-14900KS runs at 3.20 GHz. The boost clock is 4.30 GHz for the Core 3 304 and 6.20 GHz for the Core i9-14900KS. TDP is 15 W versus 150 W.

The socket is Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 304 and Intel Socket 1700 for the Core i9-14900KS. The process node is 3 nm versus 10 nm. The Core i9-14900KS has a recorded die size of 257 mm²; the Core 3 304 has none. The Core 3 304's cache totals 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB L3. The Core i9-14900KS lists L1 as 80 KB per core, L2 as 2 MB per core, and L3 as 36 MB shared.

Memory support differs: the Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Core i9-14900KS supports DDR4 and DDR5. The memory bus is single-channel for the Core 3 304 and dual-channel for the Core i9-14900KS. The Core 3 304 has a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s; the Core i9-14900KS has no recorded memory bandwidth. ECC memory is false for the Core 3 304 and true for the Core i9-14900KS.

PCIe support: the Core 3 304 has Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i9-14900KS has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) for the Core 3 304 and UHD Graphics 770 for the Core i9-14900KS. The market segment is Mobile versus Desktop. The Core 3 304 has a locked multiplier; the Core i9-14900KS is unlocked.

The launch MSRP for the Core 3 304 is $309. The launch MSRP for the Core i9-14900KS is $689. The release dates are 2026 for the Core 3 304 and 2024 for the Core i9-14900KS. The Core 3 304 has no recorded series; the Core i9-14900KS is in the Core 14th Gen series.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Core i9-14900KS wins all 17. The deltas range from a 24.9% single-thread gap to an 89.7% multi-thread gap.

In Cinebench R15, the Core i9-14900KS scores 5140 multi-core versus 849 for the Core 3 304, an 83.5% deficit. Single-core R15 shows 725 versus 264, a 63.6% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core has the Core i9-14900KS at 21417 and the Core 3 304 at 4160, an 80.6% difference. R20 single-core is 3023 versus 587, also 80.6% behind. Cinebench R23 multi-core is the largest gap: 50995 versus 5263, an 89.7% deficit. R23 single-core is 7199 versus 1765, a 75.5% gap.

PassMark tests show similar patterns. Data compression: the Core i9-14900KS scores 803368, the Core 3 304 scores 114775, an 85.7% deficit. Data encryption: 47717 versus 8501, an 82.2% gap. Extended instructions: 45524 versus 9686, 78.7% behind. Find prime numbers: 244 versus 68, a 72.1% deficit. Floating point math: 153975 versus 29722, an 80.7% gap. Integer math: 212644 versus 24640, an 88.4% deficit. Multithread: 60012 versus 11625, 80.6% behind. Physics: 3381 versus 868, a 74.3% gap. Random string sorting: 89789 versus 13659, an 84.8% deficit. Single-thread: 4815 versus 3614, a 24.9% gap, the smallest recorded delta.

The single-thread results are notable because the gap narrows significantly. The PassMark single-thread test shows the Core 3 304 at 3614, which is 75% of the Core i9-14900KS's 4815. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 3 304 reaches 1765, which is 24.5% of the Core i9-14900KS's 7199. The difference in single-thread performance is consistent with clock speed gaps, but the multi-thread gaps are amplified by the core count difference. The Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores versus 5, and its multithread PassMark score is 60012 versus 11625, an 80.6% advantage.

The data also shows that the Core 3 304's nearest rivals by average score include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13786, a 0.3% difference), Intel Core i7-8750H (13868, 0.9% difference), Intel Core 5 120UL (13594, 1.1% difference), and AMD EPYC 7443 (13936, 1.4% difference). The Core i9-14900KS's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon w5-3535X (81115, 0% difference), AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX (81103, 0% difference), AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 (80762, 0.5% difference), and Intel Xeon 638 (80723, 0.5% difference). These rival comparisons place the Core 3 304 in a much lower performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i9-14900KS wins every benchmark in the database. There is no single test where the Core 3 304 records a higher score. The performance split is therefore absolute, not situational.

The Core i9-14900KS is the choice for any workload that benefits from raw compute throughput. Its multi-core wins are dominant: Cinebench R23 multi-core at 50995, PassMark integer math at 212644, PassMark floating point math at 153975, and PassMark multithread at 60012. These scores place it at the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The unlocked multiplier allows further tuning, though the database does not record overclocked results.

The Core 3 304 has no benchmark wins, but its specifications define its intended role. It is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, which means it fits in systems where the Core i9-14900KS cannot operate. The 3 nm process node and single-channel memory support indicate a power-constrained design. The integrated Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core provides basic display output, and the 6 MB L3 cache is small compared to the Core i9-14900KS's 36 MB.

In practical terms, the Core 3 304 would appear in thin-and-light laptops or low-power embedded systems, while the Core i9-14900KS would appear in high-end desktop workstations. The database does not record power efficiency metrics, so no direct efficiency comparison is possible. The single-thread gap of 24.9% in PassMark is the closest the Core 3 304 comes to the Core i9-14900KS, but even that test favors the desktop part. For users constrained to a mobile socket, the Core 3 304 is the only option between these two; for users with a desktop socket, the Core i9-14900KS provides 5.9 times the average benchmark score.