Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the overwhelmingly stronger processor, winning 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 3 304 claims only a single victory, in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 18.9%. For multi-threaded workloads, content creation, and sustained compute, the Core Ultra 5 238V is the definitive choice. The Core 3 304, however, retains a niche for legacy single-threaded applications that favor its older architecture's performance in that specific test. The Core Ultra 5 238V also sits higher in the overall database, at the 75th percentile of all CPUs versus the Core 3 304's 68th percentile. Its average benchmark score of 21981 is substantially above the Core 3 304's 13745, a gap of roughly 60%. Users requiring maximum throughput should select the Core Ultra 5 238V; users constrained to the Core 3 304's platform or prioritizing its specific single-core R15 result will find it adequate for lighter tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their underlying designs. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 3 generation, built on a 3 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, also on a 3 nm node but fabricated by TSMC. This foundry difference alone signals distinct design philosophies and manufacturing characteristics.

Core counts differ sharply: the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 238V has 8 cores and 8 threads, both without hyperthreading. Clock speeds favor the Core Ultra 5 238V, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost of 4.70 GHz, versus 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost for the Core 3 304. Cache configurations also differ: the Core 3 304 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3; the Core Ultra 5 238V has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3, giving it a larger aggregate cache.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 238V uses a dual-channel bus, though its memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, with no bandwidth figure recorded. PCIe capability favors the Core Ultra 5 238V, offering Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes, while the Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the Core Ultra 5 238V uses Arc 130V. Both chips are mobile segments, active production, and locked multipliers. The Core 3 304's launch MSRP is $309, while the Core Ultra 5 238V has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 238V dominates nearly every measured workload, often by wide margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 15645 against the Core 3 304's 5263, a 66.4% advantage, the largest single gap in the dataset. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 46.1% lead (1576 versus 849), and Cinebench R20 multi-core a 36.7% lead (6570 versus 4160). These results confirm the Core Ultra 5 238V's superior multi-threaded execution, driven by its additional 3 cores and higher boost clock.

Single-core results are more nuanced. The Core 3 304 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 264 against 222, an 18.9% margin. However, the Core Ultra 5 238V wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 927 against 587, a 36.7% lead, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 2208 against 1765, a 20.1% lead. The R15 single-core result stands as an outlier, possibly reflecting workload-specific instruction efficiency in the Core 3 304's older design. In PassMark single-thread, the Core Ultra 5 238V leads by 7.1% (3890 versus 3614), indicating that its single-thread advantage is consistent across most modern tests.

PassMark workloads heavily favor the Core Ultra 5 238V. Data compression shows a 35% lead (176532 versus 114775), data encryption a 35% lead (13072 versus 8501), and extended instructions a 37% lead (15377 versus 9686). Prime number finding delivers a 60.9% advantage (174 versus 68), and floating-point math a 44.1% lead (53160 versus 29722). Integer math shows a 36.6% gap (38889 versus 24640), physics a 43.9% gap (1546 versus 868), and random string sorting a 36.7% gap (21585 versus 13659). The PassMark multithread score gives the Core Ultra 5 238V a 36.8% lead (18407 versus 11625). Across these tests, the Core Ultra 5 238V's advantage ranges from 7.1% to 66.4%, demonstrating consistent superiority in both integer and floating-point operations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V has an average benchmark score of 21981, compared to 13745 for the Intel Core 3 304, a substantial margin that places it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs versus the Core 3 304's 68th percentile.

Q: Does the Core 3 304 win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 264 against the Core Ultra 5 238V's 222, an 18.9% advantage. This is the only head-to-head win for the Core 3 304 out of 17 recorded tests.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core Ultra 5 238V scores 15645 versus the Core 3 304's 5263, a 66.4% difference.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core Ultra 5 238V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. Neither processor supports hyperthreading.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 5 238V boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 238V also has a higher base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

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

A: Both use a 3 nm process node, but the Core 3 304 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 238V is fabricated by TSMC.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 238V wins across virtually all compute categories, making it the clear choice for multi-threaded applications. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15645, which is 66.4% ahead of the Core 3 304, positions it for rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. PassMark physics (1546 versus 868, a 43.9% lead) and floating-point math (53160 versus 29722, a 44.1% lead) confirm strength in simulation and numerical analysis. Data compression and encryption, both 35% ahead, suit database and archival workloads. Extended instructions (15377 versus 9686, a 37% lead) and integer math (38889 versus 24640, a 36.6% lead) cover general-purpose programming and compilation tasks. The Core Ultra 5 238V's single-thread performance, 7.1% ahead in PassMark and 20.1% ahead in Cinebench R23, also makes it the better option for most responsive, lightly threaded software.

The Core 3 304's one measurable win, Cinebench R15 single-core, indicates a narrow edge in that specific legacy benchmark. For users running applications that rely on the exact instruction patterns exercised by R15, the Core 3 304 may deliver comparable or better responsiveness. Its lower core count and single-channel memory bus, however, limit its suitability for parallel workloads. The Core 3 304's integrated Xe3 Graphics, while different from the Core Ultra 5 238V's Arc 130V, does not change the benchmark picture, as no graphics tests are recorded. In practical terms, the Core 3 304 suits basic productivity and light multitasking, while the Core Ultra 5 238V handles demanding professional workloads without compromise.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core Ultra 5 238V |

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

| Series | None | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 5 | 8 |

| Threads | 5 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | None | Lunar Lake |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Lunar Lake |

| 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 | Unknown (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 | 2026-04-15 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | None recorded |

| Part Number | SAE3K | SRPN5SRPN4 |

The Core Ultra 5 238V offers more cores, higher clocks, a larger L3 cache, dual-channel memory, and PCIe Gen 5. The Core 3 304 provides a single-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth figure, more PCIe lanes (6 versus 4) at Gen 4 speed, and a later release date. Both share the 3 nm process, mobile segment, active production status, locked multipliers, and absence of ECC memory support.