Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL Comparison

Intel Core 3 304 and Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL are two Intel processors aimed at different segments of the mobile and desktop markets. The data in the database shows a distinct split in their capabilities, driven by contrasting architectures and core configurations. One is a compact, power-efficient part for thin-and-light systems, while the other is a larger, multi-core processor for more demanding workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark results show that the Intel Core 3 304 has a clear advantage in single-threaded performance. Its scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests are substantially higher than the figures for the Core Ultra 7 165HL. The Core 3 304 reaches 264 points in Cinebench R15 single-core, 587 points in R20 single-core, and 1765 points in R23 single-core. These results indicate that for tasks relying on a single core, such as legacy application responsiveness or lightly-threaded workloads, the Core 3 304 is the superior option.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL, with its 16 cores and 22 threads, is designed for parallel processing. While the database does not list direct benchmark scores for this processor, its core count and thread count suggest it would dominate in multi-threaded applications like video rendering, software compilation, and scientific simulations. The Core 3 304, with only 5 cores and 5 threads, is not competitive in this area.

The Core 3 304 also shows strength in Passmark single-thread testing, scoring 3614. This reinforces its position as a processor for snappy, responsive single-threaded tasks. The Core Ultra 7 165HL, on the other hand, is positioned for throughput, where the number of parallel operations matters more than the speed of any individual core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is fabricated on a 3 nm process node. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS variant, and is built on a 7 nm process node. This difference in process technology is significant, with the 3 nm node allowing for higher efficiency and density.

The core configurations are starkly different. The Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, indicating a simple, single-threaded-per-core design without hyper-threading. The Core Ultra 7 165HL has 16 cores and 22 threads, a hybrid layout that includes performance and efficiency cores, leading to a higher thread count than core count.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 3 304 has a 192 KB L1 cache, a 2.5 MB L2 cache, and a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 165HL is specified with a 112 KB L1 cache per core, a 2 MB L2 cache per core, and a larger 24 MB shared L3 cache. The much larger L3 cache on the Ultra 7 is designed to feed its many cores.

Memory support and bandwidth also separate the two. The Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a single-channel memory bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core Ultra 7 165HL supports DDR5 (depending on motherboard) with a dual-channel memory bus, offering a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 3 304 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe), while the Core Ultra 7 165HL uses Arc Xe-LPG 128EU, a more robust graphics solution.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database provides detailed benchmark scores for the Intel Core 3 304, while the Core Ultra 7 165HL has no recorded benchmark entries. Therefore, a direct comparison must rely on the single-processor data available. The Core 3 304's Cinebench R23 multicore score is 5263, and its single-core score is 1765. These numbers illustrate a large gap between its parallel and single-threaded performance.

In Passmark tests, the Core 3 304 shows a mixed profile. It scores 114775 in data compression, 8501 in data encryption, 9686 in extended instructions, and 68 in find prime numbers. Its floating-point math score is 29722, while its integer math score is 24640. The multithread score is 11625, and the single-thread score is 3614. The physics score is 868, and random string sorting is 13659.

These Passmark results for the Core 3 304 reveal that it is a capable processor for integer and floating-point operations, but its low prime number score (68) suggests that certain specialized workloads are not a strength. The Core Ultra 7 165HL, due to its higher core count and dual-channel memory, would be expected to deliver much higher multithreaded scores in these same tests, though no direct numbers are available for confirmation.

The average benchmark score for the Core 3 304 is 13745, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX with an average score of 13786 (a -0.3% delta), the Intel Core i7-8750H with 13868 (-0.9% delta), and the AMD EPYC 7443 with 13936 (-1.4% delta). This indicates that the Core 3 304's overall performance is closely matched with these very different processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core clock speed?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to the 4.30 GHz boost clock of the Intel Core 3 304. The base clocks are 1.40 GHz for the Ultra 7 and 1.50 GHz for the Core 3.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) difference?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has a TDP of 45 watts. This indicates the Ultra 7 is designed for higher power delivery and cooling requirements.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has 16 cores and 22 threads.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL supports dual-channel memory, while the Intel Core 3 304 supports single-channel memory. The Ultra 7 also has a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s for the Core 3.

Q: What are the process nodes for these chips?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 is fabricated on a 3 nm process node, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL is fabricated on a 7 nm process node.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for each?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has a launch MSRP of $459.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core 3 304 is the processor for single-threaded performance. Its superior scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests, along with its Passmark single-thread score of 3614, make it the choice for applications that depend on high clock speeds and low latency. Its low TDP of 15 watts also makes it suitable for compact, fanless designs where heat dissipation is a challenge.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL is the processor for multi-threaded workloads, based on its 16 cores, 22 threads, and larger 24 MB L3 cache. Its dual-channel memory bus and higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s support data-intensive parallel tasks. The higher TDP of 45 watts is a trade-off for the increased core count and performance potential. While no direct benchmarks are recorded for the Ultra 7, its specifications point to a clear advantage in rendering, encoding, and other throughput-oriented tasks.

The choice between these two depends entirely on the workload. For a user prioritizing fast, responsive single-core operations in a low-power envelope, the Core 3 304 is the logical pick. For a user who needs to process large datasets or run many threads simultaneously, the Core Ultra 7 165HL is the appropriate solution. The database shows the Core 3 304 in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, a solid standing for its segment, while the Ultra 7's 50th percentile reflects its broader, less specialized performance profile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every key specification. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has 16 cores and 22 threads. The base clock is 1.50 GHz for the Core 3 and 1.40 GHz for the Ultra 7, but the boost clock is 4.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, favoring the Ultra 7. The TDP is 15 watts for the Core 3 and 45 watts for the Ultra 7.

The socket types are different: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 304 and Intel Socket 1851 for the Ultra 7 165HL. The process nodes differ (3 nm for the Core 3, 7 nm for the Ultra 7). The cache configurations are distinct, with the Core 3 having 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3, while the Ultra 7 has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3.

Memory support is different, with the Core 3 supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Ultra 7 supports DDR5 depending on motherboard. The memory bus is single-channel for the Core 3 and dual-channel for the Ultra 7, with bandwidths of 59.7 GB/s and 89.6 GB/s, respectively. The PCIe configuration also differs: the Core 3 has 6 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 7 has 8 CPU lanes, both Gen 4. The integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) for the Core 3 and Arc Xe-LPG 128EU for the Ultra 7.