Intel Core 3 304 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a complete sweep. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 3 304. The margin of victory varies by workload, but the pattern is consistent: the Ultra 7 dominates in every measured category.

The largest gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Ultra 7 scores 41913 against 5263 for the Core 3, a delta of -87.4%. This is the single biggest percentage difference in the entire dataset. The multi-core advantage persists across older Cinebench versions as well. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Ultra 7 records 17603 versus 4160, a -76.4% delta, and in R15 multi-core the scores are 4224 against 849, a -79.9% delta.

Single-core results tell a somewhat different story in magnitude but not in outcome. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 7 scores 5917 against 1765, a -70.2% delta. The R20 single-core test shows 2485 versus 587, a -76.4% delta, and R15 single-core shows 596 versus 264, a -55.7% delta. The smallest overall margin in the head-to-head set appears in PassMark single-thread testing, where the Ultra 7 scores 4764 against 3614, a -24.1% delta. This narrower gap suggests that per-thread efficiency is the closest contest between the two processors, though the Ultra 7 still holds a clear lead.

PassMark workload tests reinforce the pattern. Data compression shows 493179 for the Ultra 7 against 114775 for the Core 3, a -76.7% delta. Data encryption records 37813 versus 8501, a -77.5% delta. Extended instructions score 39283 versus 9686, a -75.3% delta. Floating point math reaches 163567 against 29722, a -81.8% delta. Integer math posts 122449 versus 24640, a -79.9% delta. The multithread test shows 48270 against 11625, a -75.9% delta. Physics simulation records 3843 versus 868, a -77.4% delta. Random string sorting finishes at 60020 versus 13659, a -77.2% delta. Prime number finding shows the second-largest gap at 482 versus 68, a -85.9% delta.

The average benchmark score for the Ultra 7 sits at 61834, while the Core 3 averages 13745. The percentile placement reinforces the separation: the Ultra 7 lands in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 sits in the 68th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Ultra 7 wins every benchmark category, so the useful analysis is where its advantage is most pronounced versus least pronounced. The data indicates the largest deltas cluster in multi-core and compute-heavy workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core at -87.4% and prime number finding at -85.9% represent the extremes. These tasks scale with core count and sustained throughput, which aligns with the Ultra 7 having 20 cores and 20 threads against 5 cores and 5 threads for the Core 3.

Floating point math at -81.8% and integer math at -79.9% show that raw arithmetic throughput heavily favors the Ultra 7. Data compression at -76.7% and random string sorting at -77.2% indicate memory-heavy and sorting workloads also tilt decisively toward the larger processor. Encryption at -77.5% follows the same trend.

The closest contest is single-thread performance. PassMark single-thread shows a -24.1% delta, which is far smaller than any other gap. Cinebench single-core results are wider, ranging from -55.7% to -76.4%, but the PassMark figure suggests that in lightly threaded scenarios, the Core 3 is comparatively less disadvantaged. This could matter for workloads that depend on per-core responsiveness rather than parallel scaling.

The Ultra 7 also delivers a much higher boost clock at 5.30 GHz versus 4.30 GHz, and a higher base clock at 2.40 GHz versus 1.50 GHz. The Core 3 draws less power at 15 W TDP against 55 W for the Ultra 7, which positions it for efficiency-focused mobile designs. The data does not include battery or thermal measurements, so power efficiency cannot be directly quantified, but the TDP figures alone point to different design targets.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from distinct Intel lineups. The Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture and belongs to the Core 3 generation. The Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, specifically the Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-HX) generation. Both are built on a 3 nm process node, but the foundries differ. Intel fabricates the Core 3, while TSMC fabricates the Ultra 7.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The Core 3 has 5 cores and 5 threads with no hyperthreading implied by the equal counts. The Ultra 7 has 20 cores and 20 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 3 lists L1 cache at 192 KB total, L2 at 2.5 MB, and L3 at 6 MB shared. The Ultra 7 lists L1 at 192 KB per core, L2 at 3 MB per core, and L3 at 30 MB shared. The per-core L2 allocation on the Ultra 7 suggests a substantially larger aggregate cache pool, though the database does not list total L2 for either processor.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 3 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 7 supports DDR5 only, uses a dual-channel bus, and reaches 102.4 GB/s. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 3 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes, while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics differ, with the Core 3 using Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe unit and the Ultra 7 using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU.

The Ultra 7 lists transistor count at 17,800 million and die size at 243 mm². The Core 3 does not list transistor count or die size in the database. Both use Intel sockets, but they are not interchangeable: the Core 3 fits Intel BGA 1516, while the Ultra 7 fits Intel BGA 2114. The multiplier is unlocked on the Ultra 7, while the Core 3 has a locked multiplier. Release dates also differ, with the Core 3 releasing on 2026-04-15 and the Ultra 7 on 2026-03-16.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports only one conclusion for raw performance: the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus outperforms the Intel Core 3 304 in every benchmark category measured. The average benchmark score of 61834 for the Ultra 7 is roughly 4.5 times the 13745 average of the Core 3. The percentile gap, 93rd versus 68th, places the two processors in different performance classes entirely.

The Core 3 304 is the lower-power option with a 15 W TDP, a single-channel memory bus, and Gen 4 PCIe. Its 5-core, 5-thread configuration and 6 MB of shared L3 cache position it as a modest mobile processor. The data shows its strongest relative showing is in single-thread PassMark testing, where it trails by only -24.1%. Buyers who prioritize minimal power draw and lighter workloads would find the Core 3 sufficient, but the data offers no performance category where it leads.

The Ultra 7 270HX Plus targets demanding mobile workloads. Its 20 cores, 30 MB shared L3, dual-channel memory at 102.4 GB/s, and Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes support heavy parallel processing. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 41913 against 5263 quantifies the scale of its advantage. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-13900KF with a delta of 0%, the Core i9-13900K at 0.1%, and the Core i9-13900T at 0.2%, which places it in flagship desktop territory despite being a mobile part.

The Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309. The Ultra 7 has no launch MSRP listed. The choice between the two depends entirely on workload requirements and power constraints, since the performance delta is decisive in one direction across all 17 benchmark comparisons.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 3 304.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the largest delta at -87.4%, with the Ultra 7 scoring 41913 against 5263 for the Core 3. Prime number finding is close behind at -85.9%.

Q: Where does the Core 3 304 perform closest to the Ultra 7?

A: PassMark single-thread testing shows the smallest gap at -24.1%, with the Ultra 7 scoring 4764 against 3614 for the Core 3.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Ultra 7 has 20 cores and 20 threads, while the Core 3 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Core 3 has a 15 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 has a 55 W TDP.

Q: Do the two processors use the same memory configuration?

A: No. The Core 3 uses single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ultra 7 uses dual-channel memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and supports DDR5 only.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus |

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

| Cores | 5 | 20 |

| Threads | 5 | 20 |

| Base clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Arrow Lake-HX Refresh |

| Generation | Core 3 (Wildcat Lake) | Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-HX) |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| Die size | Not listed | 243 mm² |

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

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

| L3 cache | 6 MB shared | 30 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

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

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

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

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

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not listed |

| Release date | 2026-04-15 | 2026-03-16 |