AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is the dominant performer in this comparison, winning all 15 recorded head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core 3 304. The data shows a decisive performance gap, with the Ryzen 5 9600X delivering multi-core scores that are often more than triple those of the Core 3 304. While the Intel part operates in a lower power envelope, the benchmark results indicate it cannot compete with the AMD processor on any measured workload.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins every single benchmark category, making the use-case split straightforward. The largest advantages appear in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 9600X scores 17528.5 against 5263 for the Core 3 304, a 233.1% difference. PassMark integer math shows a 264.9% delta, with scores of 89918 and 24640 respectively. These results indicate the Ryzen 5 9600X is the clear choice for rendering, compiling, and other heavily threaded tasks.

The Ryzen 5 9600X also leads in single-threaded performance, though by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2183.5 versus 1765, a 23.7% advantage. PassMark single-thread results show 4570 against 3614, a 26.5% delta. The Intel Core 3 304 has no benchmark victories, so there are no workloads where the data favors it. Its lower power draw and mobile form factor are its distinguishing features, but performance-wise it trails across all 15 tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process, featuring 5 cores and 5 threads. Its base clock is 1.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Intel part does not support simultaneous multithreading, which explains its thread count matching its core count.

Cache configuration differs significantly. The Ryzen 5 9600X has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 3 304 has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD processor's larger L3 cache provides a substantial advantage in workloads that benefit from cache residency. The transistor count for the Ryzen 5 9600X is recorded at 8,315 million on a 70.6 mm² die, while the Intel part has no listed transistor or die size data.

Platform support also separates them. The Ryzen 5 9600X uses AMD Socket AM5 with Gen 5 PCIe and 24 lanes from the CPU. It supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and includes ECC memory support. The Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516 with Gen 4 PCIe and 6 lanes. It supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and lacks ECC support. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The Ryzen 5 9600X includes Radeon Graphics, and the Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X. The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD part scores 89918 against 24640, a 264.9% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 242.6% delta with scores of 233 and 68. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers a 233.1% difference, with 17528.5 versus 5263. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 217% delta, scoring 2691 against 849.

Memory-related and compression workloads also show large gaps. PassMark data compression has the AMD part scoring 341021 versus 114775, a 197.1% difference. PassMark extended instructions shows 28023 against 9686, a 189.3% delta. PassMark random string sorting is 35946 versus 13659, a 163.2% difference. PassMark multi-thread shows 30027 against 11625, a 158.3% delta.

Floating point and physics workloads follow the same pattern. PassMark floating point math has the AMD part at 60081 versus 29722, a 102.1% advantage. PassMark physics shows 2012 against 868, a 131.8% delta. PassMark data encryption is 16638 versus 8501, a 95.7% difference.

The single-threaded tests show the smallest gaps, but the AMD part still wins decisively. Cinebench R15 single-core has the Ryzen 5 9600X at 342 versus 264, a 29.5% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2183.5 against 1765, a 23.7% difference. PassMark single-thread records 4570 versus 3614, a 26.5% delta, with the two identical single-thread entries confirming the result.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 9600X scores 17528.5 against 5263 for the Core 3 304, a 233.1% difference. PassMark integer math shows a 264.9% delta.

Q: How do the single-thread scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 9600X leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 2183.5 versus 1765, a 23.7% advantage. PassMark single-thread shows 4570 against 3614, a 26.5% delta.

Q: What are the power specifications for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 does not.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor provide?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X provides 89.6 GB/s on a dual-channel DDR5 bus. The Intel Core 3 304 provides 59.7 GB/s on a single-channel bus supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every recorded specification. The Ryzen 5 9600X uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 3 304 uses 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 3.90 GHz for the AMD part and 1.50 GHz for the Intel part. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 4.30 GHz respectively. TDP is 65 watts for the AMD part and 15 watts for the Intel part. The Ryzen 5 9600X uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516.

The architecture is Zen 5 for the AMD part with the Granite Ridge codename. The Intel part uses the Wildcat Lake codename. Process nodes are 4 nm for the AMD part at TSMC and 3 nm for the Intel part at Intel. The Ryzen 5 9600X has 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die, while the Intel part has no transistor or die size data. Cache differs: the AMD part has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. The Intel part has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support shows the AMD part with DDR5 dual-channel and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC support. The Intel part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s and no ECC. PCIe generations differ: Gen 5 with 24 lanes for the AMD part, Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Intel part. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics for the AMD part and Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe for the Intel part. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel part is locked. Launch MSRP is $279 for the AMD part and $309 for the Intel part. Market segments are Desktop for the AMD part and Mobile for the Intel part.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all 15 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 23.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core to 264.9% in PassMark integer math. Its average benchmark score of 29713 places it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745 and sits in the 68th percentile. The Ryzen 5 9600X also ranks closely with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT, which trails by only 0.6%, and the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, which leads by 0.8%. The Intel Core 3 304 sits near the Intel Core 5 120UL, which leads it by 1.1%, and the AMD EPYC 7443, which leads by 1.4%.

The Intel Core 3 304 offers a lower TDP of 15 watts versus 65 watts, a smaller process node at 3 nm versus 4 nm, and a mobile socket. These features serve low-power mobile designs, but the performance data shows it cannot match the Ryzen 5 9600X in any workload. Users who need multi-core throughput, single-thread speed, or cache-heavy performance should choose the AMD part based on these results. The Intel part has no benchmark victory to cite, so the recommendation from the data alone is unambiguous. The Ryzen 5 9600X is the faster processor across the board, and the Intel Core 3 304 is the lower-power alternative with a significant performance deficit.