Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. No test in the database favors the Intel Core 3 304. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Ultra 5 245K scores 25066 against 5263, a delta of -79% from the Core 3's perspective. That means the Ultra 5 delivers roughly 4.8 times the multi-threaded render performance in that workload.

Cinebench R20 multi-core tells a similar story. The Ultra 5 245K posts 15368 versus 4160, a -72.9% delta. The single-core gap is narrower but still decisive: Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2132 for the Ultra 5 against 1765 for the Core 3, a -17.2% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core repeats the -72.9% figure, but that is the same percentage as the multi-core test due to the relative scaling of the two scores (587 versus 2169). Cinebench R15 single-core shows 322 versus 264, an -18% delta, while R15 multi-core shows 3850 versus 849, a -77.9% delta.

PassMark workloads reinforce the pattern. The smallest single-threaded margin is PassMark single-thread (also recorded as singlethread), where the Ultra 5 245K scores 4714 against 3614, a -23.3% delta. The largest single-test margin is PassMark find prime numbers: 414 versus 68, a -83.6% delta. Data compression shows 458817 versus 114775, a -75% delta, and integer math shows 98524 versus 24640, also -75%. Floating point math shows 130678 versus 29722, a -77.3% delta.

Encryption and extended instructions follow the same direction. Data encryption scores 33286 versus 8501, a -74.5% delta. Extended instructions score 37617 versus 9686, a -74.3% delta. Multithreaded PassMark shows 43047 versus 11625, a -73% delta. Physics simulation shows 3081 versus 868, a -71.8% delta. Random string sorting shows 55098 versus 13659, a -75.2% delta.

The average benchmark score in the database puts the Ultra 5 245K at 54053, which places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The Core 3 304 averages 13745, sitting in the 68th percentile. The Ultra 5's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon 6505P (0.7% higher average), the Intel Core i7-14700F (0.8% higher), and the Intel Xeon Phi 7290 (1.1% higher). The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D sits 1.3% above the Ultra 5. The Core 3 304's nearest rivals cluster much closer: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is 0.3% above, the Intel Core i7-8750H is 0.9% above, the Intel Core 5 120UL is 1.1% below, and the AMD EPYC 7443 is 1.4% above.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons in the database?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 3 304 does not win any.

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

A: The Ultra 5 245K scores 25066 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Core 3 304 scores 5263. That is a -79% delta relative to the Core 3.

Q: Is the single-threaded gap smaller than the multi-threaded gap?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 5 245K scores 2132 versus 1765, a -17.2% delta. In PassMark single-thread, the scores are 4714 versus 3614, a -23.3% delta. These are far smaller than the roughly 72% to 84% deltas seen in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: Where does the Core 3 304 sit relative to other CPUs in the database?

A: The Core 3 304 has an average benchmark score of 13745 and sits in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest recorded rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 0.3% higher average score and the Intel Core i7-8750H at 0.9% higher.

Q: Where does the Ultra 5 245K sit relative to other CPUs in the database?

A: The Ultra 5 245K has an average benchmark score of 54053 and sits in the 91st percentile. Its nearest recorded rivals are the Intel Xeon 6505P at 0.7% higher, the Intel Core i7-14700F at 0.8% higher, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 1.3% higher.

Q: Which workload shows the largest percentage gap between the two processors?

A: PassMark find prime numbers shows the largest gap. The Ultra 5 245K scores 414, while the Core 3 304 scores 68, a -83.6% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families. The Core 3 304 belongs to the Wildcat Lake generation, while the Ultra 5 245K belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename. Both are fabricated on a 3 nm process, but the foundry differs: the Core 3 304 lists Intel as the foundry, while the Ultra 5 245K lists TSMC.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, also without multithreading. The Ultra 5 therefore offers 9 additional physical cores. Clock speeds reflect the desktop vs mobile positioning: the Core 3 304 runs at a 1.50 GHz base clock and 4.30 GHz boost, while the Ultra 5 245K runs at 4.20 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. Thermal design power also differs, with the Core 3 304 rated at 15 W and the Ultra 5 245K at 125 W.

Cache organization shows a fundamental difference. The Core 3 304 lists L1 cache as 192 KB total, L2 as 2.5 MB, and L3 as 6 MB shared. The Ultra 5 245K lists L1 as 192 KB per core, L2 as 3 MB per core, and L3 as 24 MB shared. The per-core L2 configuration on the Ultra 5 scales across its 14 cores, giving it a far larger aggregate cache footprint. The transistor count and die size are recorded only for the Ultra 5 245K: 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. No transistor count or die size is listed for the Core 3 304.

Memory support differs in both type and width. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel memory bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on the Ultra 5 245K but absent on the Core 3 304. PCIe connectivity also diverges: the Core 3 304 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The Ultra 5 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The socket and market segment reflect their intended platforms: the Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516 and is classified as mobile, while the Ultra 5 245K uses Intel Socket 1851 and is classified as desktop. The multiplier is unlocked on the Ultra 5 245K but locked on the Core 3 304. The Core 3 304 has a later release date in the database, and its part number is SAE3K, while the Ultra 5 245K carries part number SRQCT.

The Verdict

The recorded data draws a clear line between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K dominates every benchmark in the head-to-head set. Its smallest advantage is 17.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and its largest is 83.6% in PassMark find prime numbers. The average benchmark score gap is roughly 4x in favor of the Ultra 5, and the percentile gap is 91st versus 68th.

The Core 3 304 is a mobile processor with 5 cores, a 15 W thermal design power, and a single-channel memory bus. Its benchmark profile places it near the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX and the Intel Core i7-8750H in average score. The Ultra 5 245K is a desktop processor with 14 cores, a 125 W thermal design power, dual-channel memory, and ECC support. Its average score sits near the Intel Xeon 6505P and the Intel Core i7-14700F.

For workloads that depend on multi-threaded throughput, render performance, data compression, encryption, or prime number calculation, the Ultra 5 245K is the clear choice based on the recorded deltas. For single-threaded responsiveness, the Ultra 5 245K still leads, but by a smaller margin. The Core 3 304 offers a lower thermal envelope and mobile packaging, but the database shows no benchmark category where it outperforms the Ultra 5 245K. Users constrained to a 15 W mobile platform would select the Core 3 304 by necessity of form factor; users who can accommodate a 125 W desktop part would select the Ultra 5 245K on the strength of its benchmark results.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K |

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

| Cores | 5 | 14 |

| Threads | 5 | 14 |

| Base clock | 1.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

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

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

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

| L2 cache | 2.5 MB | 3 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 6 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

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

| Memory bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $319 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SAE3K | SRQCT |

The launch MSRP figures differ by only $10, but the specification sheet otherwise separates the two clearly. The Ultra 5 245K offers more cores, higher clocks, larger caches, wider memory bandwidth, ECC support, more PCIe lanes, and a newer PCIe generation. The Core 3 304 offers LPDDR5X memory support, a lower thermal design power, and a mobile socket. Both processors share the 3 nm process node, but the foundry and the rest of the platform details diverge.