Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL split their 17 benchmark comparisons decisively, with the Core 3 304 taking 13 wins and the Ultra 3 105UL taking 4. The nature of those wins, however, tells two very different stories about what each processor is designed to do.

The Core 3 304 dominates in single-threaded and latency-sensitive workloads. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it posts a score of 264 against 124 for the Ultra 3 105UL, a staggering 112.9% advantage. That gap narrows but remains substantial in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Core 3 304 scores 587 versus 518, a 13.3% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the same pattern: 1765 versus 1234, a 43% margin. PassMark single-thread testing confirms the trend, with the Core 3 304 scoring 3614 against 3382, a 6.9% advantage.

The Core 3 304 also sweeps the PassMark specialty workloads. Data compression sees a 114775 score versus 93961, a 22.2% lead. Data encryption is even more lopsided: 8501 versus 6354, a 33.8% margin. Extended instructions show a 71.9% gap (9686 versus 5634), and prime number finding favors the Core 3 304 by 54.5% (68 versus 44). Floating point math is a rare exception, with the Ultra 3 105UL scoring 30750 against 29722, a 3.3% win. Physics testing also goes to the Core 3 304: 868 versus 718, a 20.9% lead.

The Ultra 3 105UL counters in multi-core Cinebench and integer-heavy PassMark tests. Cinebench R15 multi-core is close, with the Ultra 3 105UL at 881 versus 849, a 3.6% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core is where the Ultra 3 105UL makes its biggest statement: 8742 versus 5263, a 39.8% advantage. PassMark integer math goes decisively to the Ultra 3 105UL as well: 41171 versus 24640, a 40.2% lead. PassMark multithread favors the Core 3 304 at 11625 versus 10285, a 13% margin, while random string sorting goes to the Core 3 304 at 13659 versus 11179, a 22.2% edge.

The average benchmark score for the Core 3 304 sits at 13745, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival in the database is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 13786, a delta of -0.3%, meaning the Core 3 304 is essentially tied with that much larger processor. The Ultra 3 105UL averages 13061, also in the 68th percentile, with its closest comparison being the Intel Core i5-9400F at 13041, a 0.2% delta. The data shows two processors at the same overall performance tier, but with sharply divergent strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 scores 1765 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 43% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL's 1234.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL scores 8742 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 39.8% ahead of the Intel Core 3 304's 5263.

Q: Which chip wins in PassMark integer math?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL dominates with a score of 41171, a 40.2% advantage over the Intel Core 3 304's 24640.

Q: Is there a difference in memory bus width?

A: Yes. The Intel Core 3 304 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors have the same TDP?

A: Yes, both are rated at 15 W TDP.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe connectivity?

A: Both support PCIe Gen 4, but the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL provides 8 lanes from the CPU while the Intel Core 3 304 provides 6 lanes.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel design families. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and a 3 nm process node, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, branded as Meteor Lake-PS, on a 7 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the process gap is significant: the Core 3 304's 3 nm node is a newer, denser manufacturing technology.

Core counts differ as well. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyper-threading support. The Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads, indicating some cores support additional threads. Cache hierarchies are structured differently: the Core 3 304 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Ultra 3 105UL lists L1 at 112 KB per core, L2 at 2 MB per core, and 10 MB shared L3, which gives it a larger total cache footprint.

Memory support differs in type and channel count. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus. The Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and its memory support is noted as depending on the motherboard. The integrated graphics also differ: the Core 3 304 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Ultra 3 105UL features Arc Xe-LPG with 48 execution units.

The market positioning is distinct. The Core 3 304 is a mobile segment part on Intel BGA 1516 socket, while the Ultra 3 105UL is a desktop segment part on Intel Socket 1851. Production status for both is active, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The base clock for both processors is 1.50 GHz, but the boost clocks differ: the Core 3 304 reaches 4.30 GHz, while the Ultra 3 105UL peaks at 4.20 GHz. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads; the Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads.

Cache specifications diverge clearly. The Core 3 304 lists L1 at 192 KB, L2 at 2.5 MB, and L3 at 6 MB shared. The Ultra 3 105UL lists L1 at 112 KB per core, L2 at 2 MB per core, and L3 at 10 MB shared.

Memory bandwidth is a major differentiator: 59.7 GB/s for the Core 3 304 versus 89.6 GB/s for the Ultra 3 105UL, reflecting the single-channel versus dual-channel memory bus. PCIe lane counts differ as well, with 6 lanes for the Core 3 304 and 8 lanes for the Ultra 3 105UL, both at Gen 4.

The process node is 3 nm for the Core 3 304 and 7 nm for the Ultra 3 105UL. The Core 3 304's launch MSRP is $309, while the Ultra 3 105UL's launch MSRP is $295. Release dates are also different, with the Core 3 304 launching in 2026 and the Ultra 3 105UL in 2024.

Integrated graphics differ in branding and execution units: Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe for the Core 3 304, versus Arc Xe-LPG 48EU for the Ultra 3 105UL. The socket types are different, as are the market segments (mobile versus desktop). The part numbers differ as well: SAE3K for the Core 3 304, SRN9D for the Ultra 3 105UL.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 304 is the choice for single-threaded responsiveness and specialized instruction throughput. Its 112.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 43% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core indicate a processor that excels in lightly threaded applications, web browsing, and everyday desktop tasks where clock speed and per-core efficiency matter most. The encryption and extended instruction results reinforce this: 33.8% and 71.9% leads respectively suggest strong performance in security-related workloads and SIMD-heavy code.

The Core 3 304 also wins in data compression (22.2%), random string sorting (22.2%), physics (20.9%), and multithread PassMark (13%). These wins, combined with a higher average benchmark score of 13745 versus 13061, make it the better overall performer in the database's aggregated measurements. Its nearest rival comparison to the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at just -0.3% delta shows it punches far above its core count.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL takes the multi-core crown in Cinebench R23 with a 39.8% lead, and it wins PassMark integer math by 40.2%. Those two results point to workloads that scale with core count and raw integer throughput, such as compilation, rendering, and data processing tasks that can utilize 8 cores and 10 threads. The floating point math win (3.3%) is narrow but indicates a slight edge in FP-heavy scientific workloads.

The Ultra 3 105UL also brings dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, which can benefit memory-intensive applications despite its lower single-thread scores. Its desktop socket and 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it a more expandable platform option.

For users prioritizing snappy single-core performance, encryption, compression, and instruction-heavy tasks, the Core 3 304 is the clear recommendation. For those running heavily multi-threaded workloads that scale with core count, the Ultra 3 105UL's Cinebench R23 and integer math results make it the stronger candidate. The 4 wins versus 13 wins split in the head-to-head data tells the story: the Core 3 304 wins more tests, but the Ultra 3 105UL wins the tests where core count matters most.