AMD Ryzen 3 3300X vs Intel Core i7-5950HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ and AMD Ryzen 3 3300X are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, yet they represent radically different eras and design philosophies. The data shows a decisive victory for the AMD part across every shared benchmark, but the Intel chip holds distinct platform advantages that matter for specific use cases. Benchmark results indicate the Ryzen 3 3300X delivers anywhere from 13% to 52.8% higher performance depending on the workload, while the Core i7-5950HQ counters with integrated graphics and a significantly lower TDP.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X is the clear performance winner in this comparison. It wins all four head-to-head benchmarks, with the largest margin in Cinebench R15 single-core (52.8% ahead) and the smallest in Geekbench single-core (13% ahead). For any user prioritizing raw compute throughput, the 3300X is the obvious choice. Its average benchmark score of 2148 nearly matches the i7-5950HQ’s 2158 (delta of just 0.5%), but that average is pulled down by missing Cinebench R20 and R23 results—in the tests where both are present, the AMD part dominates.

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ is not without merit. Its 47W TDP is nearly 28% lower than the 65W TDP of the Ryzen, making it suitable for compact or thermally constrained systems. It also includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, whereas the Ryzen 3 3300X has no integrated graphics at all. If the use case demands a single-chip solution without a discrete GPU, the Intel part is the only option here. However, the data strongly indicates that for pure CPU performance, the 3300X is superior across the board. The i7-5950HQ’s end-of-life status and mobile BGA socket also limit its upgrade path, while the Ryzen’s active production status and AM4 socket offer ecosystem longevity.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different nodes and microarchitectures. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ uses Broadwell-H, manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 182 mm². The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X uses Zen 2 (Matisse), built on TSMC’s 7 nm process with a significantly smaller 74 mm² die and 3,800 million transistors. This process advantage allows the AMD part to achieve higher clock speeds while maintaining a reasonable 65W TDP.

Clock speeds tell a clear story. The Ryzen 3 3300X has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the i7-5950HQ sits at 2.90 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The AMD part’s 0.9 GHz higher base clock and 0.5 GHz higher boost clock directly contribute to its benchmark dominance. Cache configurations also favor AMD: the 3300X has 512 KB L2 per core and 16 MB shared L3, versus 256 KB L2 per core and 6 MB shared L3 on the Intel part. This 10 MB difference in L3 cache likely helps in multi-threaded workloads.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The Ryzen 3 3300X supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-5950HQ supports DDR3 with dual-channel and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. This 71% bandwidth advantage for the AMD part is substantial. PCIe connectivity also favors AMD: Gen 4 with 16 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on Intel. The Ryzen’s multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. Neither supports ECC memory. The Intel part includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200; the AMD part has no iGPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins every head-to-head test, but the margins vary significantly by workload type. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen scores 1071 against the Intel’s 656, a 38.7% advantage. This is a substantial lead that reflects both the clock speed and cache advantages. The single-core Cinebench R15 result is even more lopsided: 195 vs 92, a 52.8% difference. This is the largest margin in the entire comparison and indicates a generational leap in per-core efficiency.

Geekbench results are closer but still favor AMD. In Geekbench multicore, the Ryzen scores 5772 against 4601, a 20.3% lead. In Geekbench single-core, the margin narrows to 13% (1555 vs 1353). The pattern is consistent: AMD’s advantage is most pronounced in Cinebench workloads, which are heavily dependent on sustained multi-core and single-core compute, and less pronounced in Geekbench, which includes memory and other subsystem tests. Even so, the Ryzen 3 3300X maintains a comfortable lead in every scenario.

The i7-5950HQ has additional benchmark results that the Ryzen lacks: Cinebench R20 (2736 multicore, 386 single-core) and Cinebench R23 (6516 multicore, 920 single-core). These scores place the Intel part in the 47th percentile of all CPUs, identical to the Ryzen’s percentile. The average benchmark score of 2158 for Intel vs 2148 for AMD shows they are statistically equivalent in aggregate, but that equivalence is misleading—the Ryzen’s average is based on fewer tests, and in direct comparisons it wins decisively.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins single-core tests decisively. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 195 versus 92 for the Intel Core i7-5950HQ, a 52.8% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the Ryzen scores 1555 versus 1353, a 13% lead.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-5950HQ better for power-constrained systems?

A: Yes. The Intel part has a 47W TDP compared to the AMD’s 65W TDP. This 18W difference makes the i7-5950HQ more suitable for thermally limited environments, though it comes with a significant performance penalty.

Q: Can I use the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X without a discrete graphics card?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 3300X has no integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i7-5950HQ includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The Intel part can operate without a discrete GPU; the AMD part cannot.

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core i7-5950HQ supports DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part offers 71% more memory bandwidth.

Q: Are these CPUs comparable in overall benchmark average?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ has an average benchmark score of 2158, and the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X scores 2148, a difference of just 0.5%. However, this average masks the AMD part’s clear wins in all direct comparisons.

Q: Which CPU has a better upgrade path?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X is on the AM4 socket and is in active production, while the Intel Core i7-5950HQ uses the BGA 1364 mobile socket and is end-of-life. The AMD part also has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X wins in every compute-heavy scenario. Its Cinebench R15 multicore score of 1071 versus 656 (38.7% ahead) makes it the choice for rendering, video encoding, and other multi-threaded workloads. The single-core advantage (52.8% in Cinebench R15) benefits applications like legacy games and lightly threaded productivity tools. The 20.3% Geekbench multicore lead and 13% single-core lead confirm consistency across different benchmark methodologies. For desktop users with a discrete GPU, the 3300X is the superior processor, further enhanced by its DDR4 memory support, larger L3 cache, and unlocked multiplier.

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ wins in scenarios where its unique features matter more than raw compute. Its 47W TDP makes it viable in thin laptops or small-form-factor systems where 65W is too high. The integrated Iris Pro Graphics 6200 means the system can run without a separate GPU, which is critical for basic office work, media playback, or legacy applications. The mobile BGA 1364 socket indicates this was designed as a soldered laptop part, and its end-of-life status means it appears in older or refurbished systems. For users who already own a platform with this socket, the i7-5950HQ remains functional but is not a competitive choice against the much newer AMD part.

In summary, the data shows a generational divide. The Ryzen 3 3300X leverages superior process technology, clocks, cache, and memory bandwidth to win every benchmark. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ retains value only in niche scenarios requiring low power draw or integrated graphics. For any user building a new system, the AMD part is the rational choice.