AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall win for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS, which takes 14 of the 17 recorded tests. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD scores 18,104 against Intel's 5,263, a 244% advantage. This is the single biggest gap in the head-to-head results. PassMark integer math also shows a massive split: 69,839 for the AMD versus 24,640 for the Intel, a 183.4% lead. These results indicate that workloads which scale across cores will strongly favor the AMD processor.

The AMD chip also dominates in other multi-threaded tasks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1,824 versus 849, a 114.8% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 7,603 against 4,160, an 82.8% margin. PassMark multi-thread follows the same pattern: 21,465 versus 11,625, or 84.6% ahead. PassMark random string sorting gives the AMD a 121.4% edge (30,235 versus 13,659), and data compression shows 246,446 versus 114,775, a 114.7% advantage. Across every multi-threaded metric, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS maintains a lead of at least 20.2%, with most margins well above 75%.

The Intel Core 3 304 does claim two narrow single-thread wins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 264 against 257, a 2.7% edge. In PassMark single-thread (recorded twice as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread), it scores 3,614 versus 3,561, a 1.5% lead. These are the only two tests where Intel comes out ahead, and both margins are small. The AMD counterattacks in the other single-core tests: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1,073 versus 587, an 82.8% lead, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,555 versus 1,765, a 44.8% margin. The data suggests the Intel chip has a slight edge in older or lighter single-threaded workloads, but the AMD chip wins in the more demanding single-core Cinebench versions.

Other workloads follow the AMD trend. PassMark extended instructions: 18,507 versus 9,686, a 91.1% lead. PassMark floating point math: 43,019 versus 29,722, a 44.7% margin. PassMark data encryption: 14,962 versus 8,501, a 76% lead. PassMark physics: 1,043 versus 868, a 20.2% margin. PassMark find prime numbers: 71 versus 68, a 4.4% edge, the closest result in the entire comparison. The AMD processor's average benchmark score is 28,478, while the Intel chip averages 13,745. This puts the AMD at the 80th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel sits at the 68th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS uses Zen 4 architecture on the Hawk Point codename, built on a TSMC 4 nm process. It packs 25,000 million transistors into a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on an Intel 3 nm process; the database lists no transistor count or die size for it. The AMD belongs to the 8000 series and the Ryzen 5 generation (Zen 4, Hawk Point), while the Intel belongs to the Core 3 generation (Wildcat Lake).

Core configurations differ sharply. The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, meaning it uses simultaneous multithreading to process two threads per core. The Intel has 5 cores and 5 threads, with no multithreading. This explains much of the multi-core performance gap. The AMD's base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel's base clock is 1.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The higher base clock on the AMD gives it a substantial head start in sustained workloads.

Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel uses 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD's larger L3 cache, combined with per-core L2, supports its stronger performance in data-heavy tasks. The Intel's smaller cache totals align with its lower core count and thread count.

Memory and I/O differ as well. The AMD supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC memory support. The Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth and no ECC support. The AMD also provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel provides only 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The integrated graphics differ: the AMD uses the Radeon 760M, while the Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe core).

Both chips target mobile, are active in production, have locked multipliers, and use different sockets: the AMD on AMD Socket FP7 and the Intel on Intel BGA 1516. The AMD's release date is listed as 2024-04-15, while the Intel's is 2026-04-15. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $309. The AMD has no launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS wins in essentially every multi-threaded, compute-heavy, and data-intensive category. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the largest advantage at 244%, and PassMark integer math follows at 183.4%. These results indicate that rendering, compilation, scientific simulation, and any workload that can use 12 threads will run substantially faster on the AMD. The PassMark data compression result (114.7% lead) and random string sorting result (121.4% lead) point to strong performance in archiving, database operations, and text processing. The 76% lead in data encryption and 91.1% lead in extended instructions make the AMD the better choice for cryptography, SIMD-heavy code, and instruction-set extensions. The 44.7% lead in floating point math supports use in physics simulation and numerical analysis.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins only in two narrow single-threaded tests: Cinebench R15 single-core (264 versus 257, a 2.7% edge) and PassMark single-thread (3,614 versus 3,561, a 1.5% edge). These are light workloads, and the margins are small enough that they may not translate into noticeable real-world differences. The Intel also has a lower TDP (15 watts versus 28 watts), which indicates it draws less power, but the database provides no power efficiency metrics to quantify real-world battery impact. The Intel's single-channel memory bus and lower memory bandwidth (59.7 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s) suggest it would limit memory-intensive applications, although no specific benchmark for memory bandwidth appears in the recorded data.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads; the Intel has 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for the AMD and 1.50 GHz for the Intel. Boost clocks are 4.90 GHz for the AMD and 4.30 GHz for the Intel. TDP is 28 watts for the AMD and 15 watts for the Intel. The AMD uses AMD Socket FP7; the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. The AMD's process node is TSMC 4 nm; the Intel's is Intel 3 nm. The AMD has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die; the database lists neither for the Intel.

Cache configurations differ completely. The AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support: the AMD uses DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support; the Intel uses DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. PCIe connectivity: the AMD provides 20 Gen 4 lanes from the CPU; the Intel provides 6 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics: the AMD uses Radeon 760M; the Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe). The AMD's release date is 2024-04-15; the Intel's is 2026-04-15. The Intel carries a launch MSRP of $309; the AMD has no launch MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the head-to-head data. Its largest margin is 244% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and its smallest multi-threaded win is 20.2% in PassMark physics.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 304 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, in two tests. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 2.7% (264 versus 257) and PassMark single-thread by 1.5% (3,614 versus 3,561). Both results appear twice in the database due to duplicate test names.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads with simultaneous multithreading. The Intel has 5 cores and 5 threads with no multithreading. The AMD's extra thread count is a major factor in its multi-threaded benchmark leads.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The AMD supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Intel supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.30 GHz for the Intel Core 3 304. The AMD also has a much higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD uses a TSMC 4 nm process with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel uses an Intel 3 nm process, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS leads in 14 of 17 benchmarks, including all multi-threaded tests and most single-threaded tests. Its average benchmark score of 28,478 places it at the 80th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13,745 at the 68th percentile. The AMD's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core 5 220H and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS, each within 0.3% of its average score, which shows the AMD competes in a higher performance class. The Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-8750H and AMD EPYC 7443, a much older and lower-performance grouping.

For users who run multi-threaded workloads, the AMD is the only rational choice based on the recorded results. The 244% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 183.4% lead in integer math are too large to ignore for rendering, compilation, or data processing. The AMD also offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 6), dual-channel memory with ECC support, and higher memory bandwidth, all of which support demanding applications.

The Intel Core 3 304 has two narrow single-thread wins, but they do not compensate for its losses elsewhere. Its 68th percentile ranking and average score of 13,745 place it far below the AMD. Its lower TDP of 15 watts may suit power-constrained designs, but the database provides no efficiency benchmarks to confirm any battery life advantage. The single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth further limit its ceiling.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS is the stronger processor across nearly all measured categories. The Intel Core 3 304 only makes sense in scenarios where its slight single-thread edge in older Cinebench R15 and PassMark tests matters more than the AMD's overwhelming multi-threaded dominance, or where the 15-watt TDP is a hard requirement. For general computing, content creation, and any parallel workload, the recorded benchmarks favor the AMD without ambiguity.