Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 236V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V is the clear leader in the recorded benchmark data. It wins 16 head-to-head tests while the Intel Core 3 304 wins 1, averages 21952 points against 13745, and ranks in the 75th percentile of all CPUs versus the Core 3 304’s 68th percentile. The Core 3 304 takes only Cinebench R15 single-core, 264 to 222, an 18.9% lead. The Core Ultra 5 236V is therefore the processor indicated for workloads matching the benchmark suite, while the Core 3 304 is the data-supported choice only for that specific single-core test.

The Verdict

The verdict is not close. Across the paired tests, the Core Ultra 5 236V wins 16 and the Core 3 304 wins 1. The aggregate scores reinforce the gap: the Core Ultra 5 236V has an average benchmark score of 21952 and a 75th percentile, while the Core 3 304 has 13745 and a 68th percentile.

In its nearest rival set, the Core 3 304 sits 0.3% below the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (13786), 0.9% below the Intel Core i7-8750H (13868), 1.1% above the Intel Core 5 120UL (13594), and 1.4% below the AMD EPYC 7443 (13936). The Core Ultra 5 236V, by contrast, is 0.1% below the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V (21981), 0.2% below the Intel Core i7-11700F (21988), 0.2% below the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X (21992), and 0.2% above the AMD EPYC 9534 (21900).

The Core 3 304 carries a launch MSRP of $309; the Core Ultra 5 236V has no recorded launch MSRP. For systems built around the benchmark patterns in this database, the Core Ultra 5 236V is the stronger selection.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on a 3 nm process, but the manufacturing foundry differs: Intel produces the Core 3 304, while TSMC produces the Core Ultra 5 236V. The core configurations are different as well. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base and boost clocks also favor the Core Ultra: 2.10 and 4.70 versus 1.50 and 4.30. The TDP difference is small, 15 for the Core 3 and 17 for the Core Ultra.

The cache layouts are not directly comparable. The Core 3 304 lists 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 236V lists 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth; the Core Ultra 5 236V depends on the motherboard for memory support and uses a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded. PCIe connectivity also differs, with Gen 4 and 6 CPU-only lanes on the Core 3 versus Gen 5 and 4 CPU-only lanes on the Core Ultra. Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) on the Core 3 304 and Arc 130V on the Core Ultra 5 236V. Release timing separates them too, with the Core 3 304 dated April 15, 2026 and the Core Ultra 5 236V dated September 23, 2024.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher core count?

A: The Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads; the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 5 236V boosts to 4.70, while the Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30. The Core Ultra also has a higher base clock at 2.10 versus 1.50.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core Ultra 5 236V averages 21952, placing it in the 75th percentile. The Core 3 304 averages 13745, placing it in the 68th percentile.

Q: What is the only head-to-head test the Core 3 304 wins?

A: Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 264 against 222, an 18.9% lead.

Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?

A: Yes, both are listed as 3 nm, but the Core 3 304 is fabricated by Intel and the Core Ultra 5 236V by TSMC.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the Core 3 304 has 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core Ultra 5 236V |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Series | None recorded | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Architecture | None recorded | Lunar Lake |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) | Ultra 5 (Lunar Lake) |

| Cores | 5 | 8 |

| Threads | 5 | 8 |

| Base clock | 1.50 | 2.10 |

| Boost clock | 4.30 | 4.70 |

| TDP | 15 | 17 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 cache | 192 KB | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 2.5 MB | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 6 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | Depends on motherboard |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) | Arc 130V |

| Release date | April 15, 2026 | September 23, 2024 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not recorded |

| Part number | SAE3K | SRPN2SRPN3 |

| Average benchmark score | 13745 | 21952 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 68 | 75 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

| Test | Core 3 304 | Core Ultra 5 236V | Winner | Percent difference |

| --- | ---: | ---: | --- | ---: |

| Cinebench R15 multi-core | 849 | 1575 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -46.1% |

| Cinebench R15 single-core | 264 | 222 | Core 3 304 | +18.9% |

| Cinebench R20 multi-core | 4160 | 6563 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -36.6% |

| Cinebench R20 single-core | 587 | 926 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -36.6% |

| Cinebench R23 multi-core | 5263 | 15628 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -66.3% |

| Cinebench R23 single-core | 1765 | 2206 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -20% |

| Passmark data compression | 114775 | 176554 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -35% |

| Passmark data encryption | 8501 | 13049 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -34.9% |

| Passmark extended instructions | 9686 | 15451 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -37.3% |

| Passmark find prime numbers | 68 | 171 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -60.2% |

| Passmark floating point math | 29722 | 52774 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -43.7% |

| Passmark integer math | 24640 | 38765 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -36.4% |

| Passmark multithread | 11625 | 18375 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -36.7% |

| Passmark physics | 868 | 1503 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -42.2% |

| Passmark random string sorting | 13659 | 21628 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -36.8% |

| Passmark single thread | 3614 | 3893 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -7.2% |

| Passmark singlethread | 3614 | 3893 | Core Ultra 5 236V | -7.2% |

The largest multi-core gap is Cinebench R23 multi-core: the Core Ultra 5 236V scores 15628 against 5263, a -66.3% difference. The Core Ultra also dominates Passmark prime number search, 171 to 68 (-60.2%), and floating-point math, 52774 to 29722 (-43.7%). The Core 3’s sole win is R15 single-core, 264 to 222 (+18.9%). The closest overall race is Passmark single-thread, where the Core Ultra leads 3893 to 3614, a -7.2% difference; the Passmark single-thread entries are identical.

Where Each One Wins

Based solely on benchmark wins, the Core Ultra 5 236V owns every recorded workload except one. It wins all Cinebench multicore tests, both R20 and R23 single-core tests, and every Passmark test in the head-to-head set. The Core 3 304 wins only Cinebench R15 single-core.

The data splits cleanly: the Core Ultra 5 236V is the pick for multi-core rendering, math, encryption, compression, physics, sorting, and Passmark single-thread workloads. The Core 3 304 has a narrow edge in the specific R15 single-core scenario, and it carries the lower TDP at 15 against 17. Every other recorded benchmark favors the Core Ultra 5 236V, often by a wide margin.