AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 and Intel Core 5 330 are both 15-watt mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows they occupy distinctly different performance tiers. The Intel Core 5 330 wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, with margins that range from modest to overwhelming. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 20137, placing it at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip averages 18345, which sits at the 72nd percentile. These averages are close, but the per-test breakdown reveals that the Intel processor’s victories are not uniform, and the AMD chip’s overall standing is buoyed by its strong showing in specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result is in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Intel Core 5 330 scores 114 against the AMD Ryzen 3 30’s 20, a delta of -82.5%. This indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy prime calculation, a workload that stresses raw core efficiency and clock speed. Floating-point math follows a similar pattern: Intel scores 43885 versus AMD’s 14448, a -67.1% delta. The physics test, which often reflects real-world simulation and gaming physics loads, shows Intel at 1201 and AMD at 436, a -63.7% margin. Extended instructions, a proxy for modern SIMD and cryptography workloads, favor Intel 12808 to 6075, a -52.6% delta.

The Intel lead narrows considerably in integer math, where it scores 33258 against AMD’s 29846, a -10.3% delta. Data compression shows Intel at 145287 versus 135834, a -6.5% margin, the closest result in the entire comparison. Random string sorting gives Intel a 17771 to 14431 win, a -18.8% delta. The multithread score is a significant differentiator: Intel posts 15471 against AMD’s 9027, a -41.7% margin. Single-thread performance, critical for responsiveness and lightly threaded apps, shows Intel at 4088 versus 2465, a -39.7% delta. Data encryption also sits at -41.7%, with Intel at 11076 and AMD at 6461.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30’s nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U at 20249 (-0.6% delta), the AMD EPYC 7713P at 20024 (0.6% delta), the Intel Core i7-9700K at 20271 (-0.7% delta), and the Intel Core i7-11800H at 19998 (0.7% delta). This clustering shows that the AMD part competes with older high-end desktop and modern mid-range mobile chips. The Intel Core 5 330, by contrast, sits next to the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18318 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core 7 360 at 18374 (-0.2% delta), the Intel Core i3-13100 at 18380 (-0.2% delta), and the Intel Core 3 305 at 18302 (0.2% delta). These rivals indicate that the Intel chip’s average score is in line with current desktop i3 parts, despite being a mobile processor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and nodes. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses TSMC’s 6 nm process, while the Intel Core 5 330 uses Intel’s 3 nm process. The AMD chip is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, while Intel’s part uses the Wildcat Lake codename under the Core 5 generation. The AMD processor has 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the Intel processor has 6 cores and 6 threads. The lack of simultaneous multithreading on the Intel chip is notable: it has more physical cores but fewer total threads, which explains why its multithread score is only 41.7% higher rather than a larger margin.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core 5 330 provides 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has more L3 cache overall, but the AMD design’s per-core L1 and L2 allocations are larger. The AMD part’s die size is 100 mm², while the Intel chip’s die size is not recorded in the database.

Memory support is another clear divide. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 over a dual-channel bus, yielding 88.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 330 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but over a single-channel bus, which limits its bandwidth to 59.7 GB/s. This is a substantial gap: the AMD chip has roughly 47% more memory bandwidth, yet it still loses the data compression test by only 6.5%, suggesting that the Intel core’s efficiency compensates for its narrower memory path. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip offers a newer PCIe generation and more lanes for attached devices.

Both processors include integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses the Radeon 610M, while the Intel Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The AMD part’s release date is 2025-09-30, while the Intel part is dated 2026-04-15. The Intel part has a recorded part number of SAE3G, while the AMD part’s part number is listed as unknown.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 330 wins every recorded benchmark, so the analysis of where each one wins is based on the magnitude of the margins and the architectural context. The Intel chip’s largest advantages are in floating-point math, prime number finding, extended instructions, and physics, all of which point to workloads that benefit from high clock speeds and modern core design. Its boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus AMD’s 4.10 GHz likely contributes to the 39.7% single-thread lead. The Intel part also shows a strong multithread result despite having only 6 threads, which suggests that its 6 physical cores deliver more sustained throughput than AMD’s 8 threads.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30’s wins are relative, not absolute. It comes closest to Intel in data compression, where the -6.5% delta is nearly a tie. This is the only test where the AMD chip’s higher memory bandwidth appears to matter, as compression workloads are often memory-latency sensitive. The AMD part also narrows the gap in integer math to -10.3%, a workload that is less dependent on floating-point throughput. For users whose primary load is data compression or integer arithmetic, the AMD chip is competitive, but it cannot overcome Intel’s lead in every other category.

The average benchmark scores complicate the picture. The AMD Ryzen 3 30’s average of 20137 is higher than the Intel Core 5 330’s 18345, despite losing every head-to-head test. This happens because the two parts have different benchmark sets in the database. The AMD chip has more PassMark entries in its average, while the Intel chip’s average includes Cinebench scores, which are lower in magnitude. The AMD part’s 74th percentile ranking versus Intel’s 72nd percentile reflects this scoring methodology, not a performance advantage in direct comparison.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, with AMD at 4 cores and Intel at 6 cores. Thread counts also differ: AMD has 8 threads, Intel has 6. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 4.10 GHz and 4.60 GHz respectively. Both have a TDP of 15 watts. The sockets are different: AMD uses AMD Socket FT6, Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. The process nodes are 6 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel, with foundries TSMC and Intel respectively. The AMD die size is 100 mm², while Intel’s is not recorded. Cache totals: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3; Intel has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is LPDDR5 for AMD and DDR5, LPDDR5X for Intel. Memory bus is dual-channel for AMD and single-channel for Intel. Memory bandwidth is 88.0 GB/s for AMD and 59.7 GB/s for Intel. PCIe is Gen 3 with 4 lanes for AMD and Gen 4 with 6 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309, recorded once here. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Release dates are 2025-09-30 for AMD and 2026-04-15 for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores. Intel has 6 threads, while AMD has 8 threads.

Q: How do the single-thread scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 scores 4088 in the passmark_single_thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 scores 2465. This is a -39.7% delta in favor of Intel.

Q: Does the AMD chip have higher memory bandwidth?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports dual-channel LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s, while the Intel Core 5 330 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has an average benchmark score of 20137, and the Intel Core 5 330 has an average of 18345. The AMD part ranks at the 74th percentile, and the Intel part at the 72nd percentile.

Q: Which processor wins in floating-point math?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 scores 43885 in passmark_floating_point_math, compared to the AMD Ryzen 3 30’s 14448, a -67.1% delta.

Q: What process nodes do the two chips use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses TSMC’s 6 nm process, and the Intel Core 5 330 uses Intel’s 3 nm process.

The Verdict

The recorded data clearly favors the Intel Core 5 330 in every direct comparison. Its wins span single-thread, multithread, integer, floating-point, encryption, compression, and physics workloads, with the smallest margin being -6.5% in data compression and the largest being -82.5% in prime number finding. The Intel chip’s 6 physical cores, 4.60 GHz boost clock, and 3 nm process give it a decisive edge in raw compute. The AMD Ryzen 3 30’s dual-channel memory and higher average benchmark score do not translate into a single head-to-head victory.

The choice between these two depends on the workload. For users who prioritize data compression and integer math, the AMD chip is close enough that the difference may be negligible. For everything else, the Intel Core 5 330 is the stronger performer according to the database. The AMD part’s higher percentile ranking and average score reflect its different benchmark set, not a direct performance advantage. The Intel processor also offers a newer PCIe generation and more lanes, which could matter for expandability. The AMD chip uses a smaller die (100 mm²) and a dual-channel memory bus, but those advantages do not show up in the recorded test results. The data supports the Intel Core 5 330 as the faster processor in direct comparison, with the AMD Ryzen 3 30 being a reasonable alternative only in narrow, memory-sensitive workloads.