AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits this comparison into two very different profiles. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 304 wins only 2. The AMD part dominates every multi-threaded and most single-threaded workloads in the database. Its largest margins appear in rendering, physics simulation, prime number searches, and integer math, where the gap ranges from 49% to over 313%.

The Intel Core 3 304 claims its only victories in the two PassMark single-thread tests, and by the narrowest possible margin. It scores 3614 against the AMD's 3605, a delta of -0.2%. That is a difference of 9 points out of roughly 3600, effectively a statistical tie. The data shows no other test where Intel comes out ahead.

The use-case split is clear. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D is built for workloads that scale with cores, cache, and memory bandwidth. The Core 3 304 is a low-power mobile part with 5 cores and 5 threads, and its benchmark results reflect a design aimed at efficiency rather than peak throughput. For content creation, scientific computing, or any parallel workload, the AMD part is the decisive winner. For single-threaded tasks where a laptop battery matters more than raw output, the Intel part keeps pace but does not surpass.

The percentile rankings reinforce this split. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D sits at the 77th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 24728. The Core 3 304 sits at the 68th percentile with an average score of 13745. That is a 79.9% difference in average score, placing the two parts in different performance classes entirely.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Raphael codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 4.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process at Intel, with 5 cores and 5 threads, a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD part has no SMT advantage in name, but its 12 threads versus 5 threads is a direct consequence of simultaneous multithreading support.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The AMD part carries 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part lists 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The 96 MB L3 on the AMD side is 16 times larger than the Intel's 6 MB. That cache capacity is the defining feature of the X3D line and explains the AMD's dominance in cache-sensitive workloads like physics and random string sorting.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D uses dual-channel DDR5 with a measured memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s and no ECC support. The AMD part provides 39.4% more memory bandwidth on paper, which directly benefits multi-threaded workloads that stream data.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD part offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The AMD socket is AM5, a desktop platform with upgrade potential. The Intel socket is BGA 1516, a soldered mobile package. The integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

The process nodes are close in number, 5 nm versus 3 nm, but the transistor counts are not recorded for the Intel part. The AMD die size is listed at 71 mm² with 11,270 million transistors. The Intel part has no die size or transistor figure in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The AMD scores 21758 against the Intel's 5263, a delta of 313.4%. That is a 4.1x advantage in a rendering workload that uses all available threads. The AMD's 12 threads and 96 MB L3 cache combine to crush the Intel's 5 threads and 6 MB cache.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern: AMD 9138, Intel 4160, a 119.7% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core follows with AMD 2193, Intel 849, a 158.3% delta. The single-core Cinebench tests also favor AMD, but by smaller margins. R23 single-core shows AMD 3071, Intel 1765, a 74% delta. R20 single-core shows AMD 1289, Intel 587, a 119.6% delta. R15 single-core shows AMD 309, Intel 264, a 17% delta.

PassMark integer math is another major AMD win: 73804 versus 24640, a 199.5% delta. PassMark find prime numbers shows AMD 234, Intel 68, a 244.1% delta. PassMark physics shows AMD 2906, Intel 868, a 234.8% delta. PassMark multithread shows AMD 25855, Intel 11625, a 122.4% delta.

Data compression favors AMD at 281665 versus 114775, a 145.4% delta. Random string sorting favors AMD at 34318 versus 13659, a 151.2% delta. Extended instructions favor AMD at 21108 versus 9686, a 117.9% delta. Data encryption favors AMD at 16237 versus 8501, a 91% delta. Floating point math favors AMD at 44289 versus 29722, a 49% delta.

The only Intel wins are the two PassMark single-thread entries, both showing 3614 versus 3605, a -0.2% delta. In practical terms, that is a tie. The data shows no workload where the Intel part achieves a meaningful advantage.

The Verdict

The database points to a straightforward conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D is the superior processor for every multi-threaded task measured, and it also wins the Cinebench single-core tests by margins from 17% to 119.6%. The Intel Core 3 304 only matches the AMD part in one narrow PassMark single-thread test, and even there the difference is 0.2%.

The AMD part belongs on a desktop AM5 platform with dual-channel DDR5, ECC support, and PCIe Gen 5. It is designed for workloads that use many threads and large cache. The Intel part belongs in a mobile BGA 1516 package with single-channel memory and PCIe Gen 4. It is a low-power part with a 15 W TDP versus the AMD's 65 W TDP, and its benchmark results confirm that it trades performance for efficiency.

Who should pick which? The data says the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D for anyone running rendering, physics, compression, encryption, or any parallel workload. The Intel Core 3 304 for anyone prioritizing a thin mobile chassis with minimal power draw, where the single-thread performance is competitive and the multi-thread gap is acceptable for light tasks. The 77th versus 68th percentile ranking summarizes the overall positioning: the AMD part sits higher in the database, and the average score difference of 10983 points is not close.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 records 3614 in PassMark single-thread, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D records 3605. That is a delta of -0.2%, meaning the Intel part leads by 9 points, but the difference is negligible.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D scores 21758, and the Intel Core 3 304 scores 5263. The AMD part leads by 313.4%, which is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head set.

Q: What memory configurations do the two processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D supports dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 supports single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. The Intel Core 3 304 has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. The AMD L3 is 16 times larger.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The AMD part provides 7 more threads and supports simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What are the launch dates and MSRPs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D launched on 2024-08-29 with a launch MSRP of $299. The Intel Core 3 304 launched on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $309.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D | Intel Core 3 304 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 5 |

| Threads | 12 | 5 |

| Base clock | 4.10 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 cache | 96 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

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

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 lanes | Gen 4, 6 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2024-08-29 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $299 | $309 |