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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core 3 304 and the Intel Core i9-14900T shows a decisive sweep. Across all 17 recorded tests, the Core i9-14900T records the higher score. The Core 3 304 does not win a single head-to-head benchmark.

The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Core i9-14900T scores 30803, while the Core 3 304 scores 5263. That places the i9-14900T 82.9% ahead. This is the largest percentage difference in the entire dataset. The pattern repeats across other multi-threaded workloads. In PassMark integer math, the i9-14900T scores 138149 versus 24640, a delta of 82.2%. Data compression shows 436066 against 114775, a 73.7% gap.

Single-threaded performance tells a different story in magnitude but not in direction. The i9-14900T leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 4348 points versus 1765, a 59.4% advantage. In PassMark single-thread, the margin narrows to 10%: 4016 versus 3614. That is the closest result in the entire comparison. Even so, the i9-14900T remains ahead.

The Cinebench R15 results reinforce the trend. Multi-core shows 3104 versus 849, a 72.6% gap. Single-core shows 438 versus 264, a 39.7% gap. The R20 tests follow similar lines: multi-core 12937 versus 4160 (67.8% gap), single-core 1826 versus 587 (67.9% gap).

Looking at specialized PassMark workloads, the i9-14900T leads in every category. Data encryption: 27062 versus 8501, a 68.6% gap. Extended instructions: 23660 versus 9686, a 59.1% gap. Find prime numbers: 164 versus 68, a 58.5% gap. Floating point math: 92699 versus 29722, a 67.9% gap. Physics: 2245 versus 868, a 61.3% gap. Random string sorting: 49484 versus 13659, a 72.4% gap. Multithread: 36239 versus 11625, a 67.9% gap.

The average benchmark score aggregates all tests. The Core i9-14900T averages 51015 across the database. The Core 3 304 averages 13745. That difference is roughly 3.7 times the Core 3 304's average. The percentile ranking confirms the separation: the i9-14900T sits at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 304 sits at the 68th percentile.

The nearest rival data provides additional context. The Core i9-14900T's closest competitors by average score include the Intel Core i7-13850HX at 50761 (a 0.5% difference), the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T at 51310 (a 0.6% difference in the opposite direction), the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT at 50718 (0.6% gap), and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 at 50448 (1.1% gap). These are all within a narrow band, indicating that the i9-14900T sits at a performance plateau among high-end desktop and mobile parts.

The Core 3 304's nearest rivals sit at a much lower tier. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX averages 13786, just 0.3% above the Core 3 304. The Intel Core i7-8750H averages 13868 (0.9% above). The Intel Core 5 120UL averages 13594 (1.1% below). The AMD EPYC 7443 averages 13936 (1.4% above). These deltas show that the Core 3 304 performs in line with a range of older workstation and mid-range processors, none of which approach the i9-14900T's output.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i9-14900T outperforms the Intel Core 3 304 in every single recorded benchmark. No test shows a tie, and no test shows the Core 3 304 taking the lead.

The Core 3 304 is a 5-core, 5-thread mobile processor built on a 3 nm process. It boosts to 4.30 GHz from a 1.50 GHz base. Its 15 W TDP positions it for low-power, thin-and-light systems. The i9-14900T is a 24-core, 32-thread desktop processor on a 10 nm process, boosting to 5.50 GHz from a 1.10 GHz base. Its 35 W TDP is higher but still modest by desktop standards.

Users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput should select the Core i9-14900T. The 82.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and the 82.2% lead in integer math represent the kinds of workloads where core count dominates. The i9-14900T's 24 cores and 32 threads provide a structural advantage that no amount of clock speed on the Core 3 304 can offset.

Users who prioritize single-thread responsiveness in a low-power mobile package should consider the Core 3 304, but only if the i9-14900T's form factor is inapplicable. The data shows the i9-14900T still leads in single-thread tests by at least 10%. The Core 3 304's best relative result is that 10% gap in PassMark single-thread. That remains a clear loss.

The percentile data supports the same conclusion. The i9-14900T ranks at the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 3 304 ranks at the 68th percentile. A 22-percentile gap places these chips in entirely different performance classes.

The launch MSRP for the Core i9-14900T is $549. The launch MSRP for the Core 3 304 is $309. These figures appear in the database records.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same manufacturer but diverge sharply in design philosophy.

The Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, part of the Core 3 generation. It is built on a 3 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The chip contains 5 cores and 5 threads, with no hyper-threading visible in the thread count. Its cache hierarchy consists of 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The memory controller supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, running on a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics come from Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The socket is Intel BGA 1516, indicating a soldered mobile design. The market segment is Mobile, and the production status is Active.

The Core i9-14900T uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen series and the Raptor Lake architecture. It is built on a 10 nm process node. The chip contains 24 cores and 32 threads, implying a hybrid layout with performance and efficiency cores. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The memory controller supports DDR4 and DDR5, running on a dual-channel memory bus. ECC memory is supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics come from UHD Graphics 770. The socket is Intel Socket 1700, a standard desktop LGA socket. The die size is 257 mm². The market segment is Desktop, and the production status is Active.

The process node difference is notable: 3 nm for the Core 3 304 versus 10 nm for the i9-14900T. The smaller node allows the Core 3 304 to operate at a lower TDP of 15 W despite a higher base clock of 1.50 GHz versus 1.10 GHz. However, the i9-14900T compensates with a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 4.30 GHz.

The memory bandwidth figures reveal a structural gap. The Core 3 304 offers 59.7 GB/s on a single channel. The i9-14900T's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database, but the dual-channel bus and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 indicate a wider memory path. Single-channel versus dual-channel is a fundamental architectural difference that affects all memory-bound workloads.

The PCIe capabilities differ by a full generation and lane count. The i9-14900T provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. This difference matters for external GPUs and NVMe storage.

Both processors have locked multipliers. Neither supports overclocking via the multiplier. The Core 3 304's part number is SAE3K. The i9-14900T's part number is SRN3U.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900T has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher maximum clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900T boosts to 5.50 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30 GHz.

Q: Does the Core i9-14900T support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Core i9-14900T supports ECC memory. The Core 3 304 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in process node?

A: The Core 3 304 is built on a 3 nm process. The Core i9-14900T is built on a 10 nm process.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Core i9-14900T has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 3 304 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The Core 3 304 is a Mobile processor. The Core i9-14900T is a Desktop processor.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i9-14900T wins every benchmark in the dataset. That makes the "where each one wins" section a matter of degree rather than direction.

The i9-14900T's largest wins come in multi-threaded and parallel workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows an 82.9% lead. PassMark integer math shows an 82.2% lead. Data compression shows a 73.7% lead. These are workloads that scale with core count and thread count. The i9-14900T's 24 cores and 32 threads dominate the Core 3 304's 5 cores and 5 threads.

The i9-14900T also wins in memory-intensive scenarios. Random string sorting shows a 72.4% lead. Data encryption shows a 68.6% lead. The dual-channel memory bus and larger 36 MB L3 cache contribute to these results.

The i9-14900T's smaller wins come in single-threaded tests. PassMark single-thread shows only a 10% lead, the closest margin in the entire comparison. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 59.4% lead, which is larger but still the second-smallest percentage gap. The Core 3 304's 4.30 GHz boost clock and newer 3 nm process narrow the single-thread gap, but do not close it.

The Core 3 304's only advantage lies in power consumption and form factor. Its 15 W TDP is less than half of the i9-14900T's 35 W TDP. The BGA 1516 socket and Mobile market segment indicate a soldered, low-power design intended for compact laptops. The i9-14900T's Socket 1700 and Desktop segment require a larger motherboard and cooling solution.

In terms of raw performance, the Core 3 304 has no benchmark win. Its strongest relative performance is in single-threaded tasks, where it trails by 10% to 39.7% depending on the test. Its weakest relative performance is in multi-threaded tasks, where it trails by 67.8% to 82.9%.

The average benchmark scores summarize the divide. The i9-14900T's 51015 average is 3.7 times the Core 3 304's 13745. The percentile ranks place them 22 points apart. Any workload that benefits from more cores, more threads, larger cache, or wider memory access will see a substantial advantage for the i9-14900T. Workloads that are purely single-threaded will still favor the i9-14900T, but by a smaller margin.