Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison
Intel Core 3 304
Core Ultra 5 225T
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark split between these two processors is entirely one-sided. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with no benchmark favoring the Intel Core 3 304. The Core Ultra 5 225T delivers a dominant performance profile across every measured workload category, from single-threaded tasks to heavily parallel multi-core rendering.
The Intel Core 3 304 is positioned as a low-power mobile processor, and its data reflects that role. It posts a 68th percentile score across all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 13,745. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13,786 average score, 0.3% ahead), the Intel Core i7-8750H (13,868 average score, 0.9% ahead), and the Intel Core 5 120UL (13,594 average score, 1.1% behind). The Core 3 304 sits in a narrow performance band where small single-digit percentage differences separate it from several established desktop and mobile parts.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T operates in an entirely different performance class. It records an 82nd percentile ranking, an average benchmark score of 30,468, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-11980HK (30,422 average score, 0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (30,390 average score, 0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i5-13600H (30,548 average score, 0.3% ahead). The Ultra 5 225T effectively matches those high-end laptop and desktop parts, landing within half a percentage point of each.
The use-case split is clear. For single-threaded responsiveness, the Core Ultra 5 225T leads with a 4,348 PassMark single-thread score versus 3,614 for the Core 3 304, a 16.9% advantage. For multi-threaded workloads, the gap widens dramatically: the Ultra 5 225T scores 25,358 in PassMark multithread versus 11,625, a 54.2% difference. The Core 3 304 offers a compact, low-power option, but the data shows it cannot compete on raw throughput in any measured category.
The Verdict
The performance data indicates two very different intended use cases. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is the clear choice for anyone needing substantial compute capability in a desktop system. Its 10 cores and 10 threads, combined with a 4.90 GHz boost clock, deliver scores that place it alongside premium mobile processors like the Core i9-11980HK and Ryzen 5 7640HS. Its 20 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth support heavy workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and data compression.
The Intel Core 3 304, with 5 cores and 5 threads, a 4.30 GHz boost clock, and a 15 W TDP, targets power-sensitive mobile designs. Its 6 MB shared L3 cache and single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth indicate a focus on efficiency rather than peak performance. The data shows it trails the Ultra 5 225T by 61.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 76% in Cinebench R23 multicore, and 64.1% in PassMark floating point math.
For a desktop build where performance matters, the Core Ultra 5 225T is the only viable option from these two. For an ultra-portable or low-power mobile device, the Core 3 304 fits that niche, but its benchmark results show it cannot match the Ultra 5 225T in any workload. The verdict from the recorded data is unambiguous: the Core Ultra 5 225T wins every benchmark, and the Core 3 304 should only be selected when its 15 W power envelope and mobile form factor are mandatory constraints.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest single win for the Core Ultra 5 225T comes in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 21,971 versus 5,263 for the Core 3 304, a 76% advantage. That result reflects the massive core count and cache disparity: 10 cores versus 5, 20 MB L3 versus 6 MB L3. The gap persists across all multi-threaded tests, with the Ultra 5 225T leading by 54.9% in Cinebench R20 multicore (9,227 versus 4,160), by 61.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore (2,214 versus 849), and by 54.2% in PassMark multithread (25,358 versus 11,625).
In integer math, the Ultra 5 225T scores 59,543 versus 24,640, a 58.6% lead. Floating point math shows an even larger gap: 82,751 versus 29,722, a 64.1% difference. Data compression favors the Ultra 5 225T at 233,998 versus 114,775, a 51% lead, while data encryption shows an 53.5% advantage (18,289 versus 8,501). Prime number finding is the most lopsided PassMark test, with the Ultra 5 225T scoring 284 versus 68, a 76.1% gap.
Single-threaded performance is closer but still favors the Ultra 5 225T. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 312 versus 264, a 15.4% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1,302 versus 587, a 54.9% advantage, while Cinebench R23 single-core records 3,101 versus 1,765, a 43.1% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4,348 versus 3,614, a 16.9% gap. The single-thread deltas are smaller than the multi-thread deltas, but the Ultra 5 225T still wins every one.
Physics simulation in PassMark favors the Ultra 5 225T at 2,053 versus 868, a 57.7% lead. Random string sorting shows 28,774 versus 13,659, a 52.5% advantage. Extended instructions score 20,083 versus 9,686, a 51.8% gap. Across all 17 benchmarks, the smallest winning margin is the 15.4% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and the largest is the 76% in Cinebench R23 multicore.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.
Q: What is the performance gap in the most demanding multi-core workload?
A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21,971 versus 5,263 for the Core 3 304, a 76% difference.
Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?
A: The Core Ultra 5 225T leads in every single-thread test. The smallest margin is 15.4% in Cinebench R15 single-core (312 versus 264), and the largest is 54.9% in Cinebench R20 single-core (1,302 versus 587).
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30 GHz.
Q: What are the cache sizes for each processor?
A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. The Core 3 304 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3.
Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 5?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core 3 304 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only).
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel families and target different platforms. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake architecture (codenamed Arrow Lake-S), and is built by TSMC on a 3 nm process. It integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture, is also on a 3 nm process, and is built by Intel. Its transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.
The Core Ultra 5 225T is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1851, with a 65 W TDP and base clock of 2.50 GHz. The Core 3 304 is a mobile part using Intel BGA 1516, with a 15 W TDP and base clock of 1.50 GHz. The Ultra 5 225T offers a substantially higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.30 GHz.
Memory support differs significantly. The Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus, delivering 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus, delivering 59.7 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.
Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Core Ultra 5 225T allocates 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3. The Core 3 304 has a total of 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 225T also provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the Core 3 304 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes.
Integrated graphics differ by generation. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. The Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The Ultra 5 225T released on 2024-12-31, while the Core 3 304 released on 2026-04-15. The Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309; the Ultra 5 225T has no recorded launch MSRP.