Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core i9-14901KE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 3 304 and the Intel Core i9-14901KE occupy entirely different positions in the desktop and mobile landscape. The Core 3 304 is a mobile processor with 5 cores and 5 threads, built on a 3 nm process, while the Core i9-14901KE is a desktop part with 8 cores and 16 threads on a 10 nm node. Benchmark data exists only for the Core 3 304, which posts an average benchmark score of 13745 and sits at the 68th percentile among all CPUs. The Core i9-14901KE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, and its average benchmark score is listed as zero, placing it at the 50th percentile by default. The Core 3 304 shows a modest 1.1% advantage over the Intel Core 5 120UL in average score, and it trails the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX by 0.3%, the Intel Core i7-8750H by 0.9%, and the AMD EPYC 7443 by 1.4%. For workloads where single-threaded responsiveness matters, the Core 3 304 delivers a strong single-core result in Cinebench R23 of 1765 points. The Core i9-14901KE, with a boost clock of 5.80 GHz and 16 threads, is clearly designed for heavy multi-threaded desktop tasks, but without benchmark data its exact performance standing cannot be quantified. The data indicates that the Core 3 304 is a capable mobile chip for everyday computing, while the Core i9-14901KE is a high-end desktop processor aimed at enthusiasts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in architecture, process node, and target platform. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 3 generation. It is fabricated on a 3 nm process by Intel, which is a significant advancement over the Core i9-14901KE’s 10 nm Raptor Lake-R design. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyper-threading support, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its thermal design power is 15 watts, indicating a low-power mobile design. The chip uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket, which is a ball-grid array package for laptops and compact systems. The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support covers DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are provided by Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The market segment is mobile, and the production status is active. The release date is recorded as 2026-04-15.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, with the Raptor Lake architecture and the Raptor Lake-R codename. It is fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel. The chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, enabling simultaneous multi-threading. The base clock is 3.80 GHz, and the boost clock reaches 5.80 GHz, which is the highest clock speed among the two. The thermal design power is 125 watts, reflecting a desktop-class power envelope. The socket is Intel Socket 1700, used for mainstream desktop motherboards. The die size is 257 mm², which is a physical detail not provided for the Core 3 304. The cache configuration differs: 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger L3 cache is designed to feed the 8-core, 16-thread configuration. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel memory bus. ECC memory is supported, which is a feature absent on the Core 3 304. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, doubling the lane count and offering a newer generation compared to the Core 3 304’s Gen 4. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770, which is a different implementation from the Xe3 Graphics on the Core 3 304. The market segment is desktop, and the production status is active. The release date is recorded as 2024-06-30. The multiplier is unlocked, meaning overclocking is possible, whereas the Core 3 304 has a locked multiplier.

The process node difference is stark: 3 nm versus 10 nm, which typically implies higher transistor density and better power efficiency for the Core 3 304, though the Core i9-14901KE compensates with higher clocks and more cores. The cache sizes also reflect their intended workloads; the Core i9-14901KE’s 36 MB of L3 cache is six times larger than the Core 3 304’s 6 MB. The Core i9-14901KE supports dual-channel memory and ECC, making it suitable for workstation-like reliability, while the Core 3 304’s single-channel memory is a constraint for bandwidth-sensitive tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark scores only for the Intel Core 3 304; the Intel Core i9-14901KE has an empty benchmark array. Therefore, direct head-to-head comparisons cannot be made with recorded numbers. However, the Core 3 304’s individual results provide a picture of its performance profile. In Cinebench R15, the Core 3 304 scores 849 in multi-core and 264 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 4160 multi-core and 587 single-core. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 5263, and the single-core score is 1765. These single-core scores are relatively high compared to its multi-core results, indicating that the 5-core configuration is more efficient per thread than it is at scaling across cores.

PassMark results for the Core 3 304 show a data compression score of 114775, data encryption of 8501, extended instructions of 9686, find prime numbers of 68, floating point math of 29722, integer math of 24640, multithread of 11625, physics of 868, random string sorting of 13659, and single-thread of 3614. The average benchmark score is 13745, which places it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX with an average score of 13786 (0.3% higher), the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13868 (0.9% higher), the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 (1.1% lower), and the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13936 (1.4% higher). These delta values show that the Core 3 304 sits within a narrow band of performance around these processors, neither dominating nor being decisively beaten. For the Core i9-14901KE, no such data exists, so any comparison is limited to architectural specifications rather than measured outcomes.

The absence of benchmark data for the Core i9-14901KE is a significant gap. The database records its average benchmark score as zero, which is not a meaningful figure. The percentile of 50 is a placeholder rather than a measurement. Therefore, the head-to-head section can only state that the Core 3 304 has extensive recorded results, while the Core i9-14901KE does not. This asymmetry prevents any quantitative verdict on which chip is faster in real applications. The Core i9-14901KE’s higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz and double the threads suggest it would excel in multi-threaded workloads, but without scores, this remains speculative.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 304 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: What are the process nodes for these two chips?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 is fabricated on a 3 nm process. The Intel Core i9-14901KE uses a 10 nm process.

Q: Does the Core i9-14901KE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-14901KE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Core 3 304?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, using a single-channel memory bus.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor use?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The Intel Core i9-14901KE uses UHD Graphics 770.

Q: Are there any benchmark scores for the Core i9-14901KE?

A: The database lists no benchmark scores for the Intel Core i9-14901KE. Its average benchmark score is recorded as zero.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has a TDP of 125 watts.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the available data, the Intel Core 3 304 wins in the category of measured performance, simply because it has benchmark scores while the Core i9-14901KE has none. The Core 3 304’s single-core score of 1765 in Cinebench R23 and 3614 in PassMark single-thread indicates strong per-core efficiency, likely due to the 3 nm process and high boost clock relative to its low TDP. Its multi-core scores, such as 5263 in Cinebench R23 and 11625 in PassMark multithread, are respectable for a 5-core mobile chip, and its average benchmark score of 13745 places it in the upper third of all CPUs (68th percentile). For mobile users who need a balance of power efficiency and responsive single-threaded performance, the Core 3 304 is the clear choice from the data.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE wins on paper in raw specifications. It has more cores (8 versus 5), more threads (16 versus 5), a much higher boost clock (5.80 GHz versus 4.30 GHz), a larger L3 cache (36 MB versus 6 MB), dual-channel memory support, ECC memory, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and an unlocked multiplier. These features point to a processor designed for desktop workstations and gaming rigs where multi-threaded performance and expandability are priorities. The 125-watt TDP allows for sustained high clocks, and the Socket 1700 platform offers a wide range of motherboards. In scenarios such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, the Core i9-14901KE’s 16 threads would theoretically outperform the Core 3 304’s 5 threads, though this cannot be confirmed without benchmark data.

The Core 3 304 also wins in power efficiency, as its 15-watt TDP is drastically lower than the 125-watt TDP of the Core i9-14901KE. This makes the Core 3 304 suitable for thin-and-light laptops, fanless designs, or any application where heat and battery life are critical. The Core i9-14901KE requires robust cooling and a desktop power supply.

In terms of memory flexibility, the Core i9-14901KE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core 3 304 supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Core i9-14901KE’s dual-channel bus doubles the memory channels compared to the Core 3 304’s single-channel bus, which benefits bandwidth-heavy tasks. The Core 3 304’s memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s is a fixed figure, whereas the Core i9-14901KE has no recorded bandwidth, but dual-channel DDR5 typically provides higher throughput.

For integrated graphics, the Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, which is a newer architecture compared to the UHD Graphics 770 on the Core i9-14901KE. The Xe3 architecture may offer better media encoding or low-power graphics performance, but no benchmark scores are available for either GPU.

The release dates differ: the Core i9-14901KE was released on 2024-06-30, while the Core 3 304 has a release date of 2026-04-15. The Core 3 304 is a newer product, which may explain its more advanced process node and newer graphics core.

The Core i9-14901KE has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Core 3 304 does not. This gives the desktop chip an advantage for users who manually tune clock speeds, but it also requires a compatible motherboard and adequate cooling.

In summary, the Core 3 304 wins where measured data exists: it has a complete benchmark profile and demonstrates solid single-threaded performance for a mobile chip. The Core i9-14901KE wins in specification-driven categories: core count, thread count, clock speed, cache size, memory channel width, ECC support, PCIe generation and lane count, and overclocking capability. The choice between them depends on the target platform and workload, but the database only provides performance validation for the Core 3 304.