AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a decisive performance separation between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with no wins recorded for the Intel Core 3 304. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 37943, placing it at the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745, which lands at the 68th percentile. The performance gap is substantial across every measured workload category, from single-threaded tests to heavily threaded rendering tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the appropriate choice for workloads that demand high throughput across many threads. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-14901E at an average score of 37911 (0.1% behind), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 37904 (0.1% behind), and the Intel Core 5 211E at 37829 (0.3% behind). This places the 9700X in a tightly contested performance tier where small percentage differences separate top contenders.

The Intel Core 3 304 occupies a different segment entirely. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 13786 (0.3% ahead), the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13868 (0.9% ahead), and the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13936 (1.4% ahead). The 304 sits within a cluster of older and lower-power parts, confirming its positioning as a modest mobile processor rather than a desktop performance leader. The data indicates this chip is designed for efficiency and basic productivity, not for intensive parallel computation.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process. It contains 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built by Intel on a 3 nm process, though the database does not list transistor count or die size for this part.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The AMD processor provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel processor provides 5 cores and 5 threads. The Intel part does not support simultaneous multi-threading, so its thread count equals its core count. The AMD part doubles its thread count through SMT.

Clock speeds also differ significantly. The 9700X has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core 3 304 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The thermal design power reflects this difference: the AMD chip is rated at 65 W TDP, while the Intel chip is rated at 15 W TDP. The Intel part targets mobile platforms with the BGA 1516 socket, while the AMD part uses the desktop AM5 socket.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The AMD processor uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor lists 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has substantially more total cache capacity.

Memory support separates the two as well. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth and includes ECC support. The Intel processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth and does not support ECC. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ in branding and capability. The AMD processor includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel processor includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The launch MSRP for the AMD part is $359, and the launch MSRP for the Intel part is $309.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin appears in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X scores 120142 against 24640 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 387.6% advantage. This workload measures basic arithmetic operations, and the 8-core, 16-thread AMD design with its 5.50 GHz boost clock dominates the 5-thread Intel part.

Cinebench R23 multicore shows the second-largest gap at 289.2%. The AMD processor scores 20485, while the Intel processor scores 5263. This rendering workload scales with thread count and sustained clock speed, both areas where the 9700X holds clear advantages. The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a 274.3% delta, with scores of 3178 versus 849.

PassMark data compression favors the AMD part by 280.9%, with a score of 437140 against 114775. The extended instructions test shows a 264.6% delta, with the AMD processor scoring 35318 and the Intel processor scoring 9686. Random string sorting shows a 242.5% delta, with scores of 46782 and 13659 respectively.

PassMark multithread delivers a 219.7% delta. The AMD processor scores 37161, while the Intel processor scores 11625. The find prime numbers test shows a 182.4% delta, with 192 versus 68. Floating point math shows a 165.8% delta, with 78999 versus 29722. Data encryption shows a 156.6% delta, with 21815 versus 8501. Physics simulation shows a 158.2% delta, with 2241 versus 868.

Single-threaded performance shows a smaller but still clear gap. Cinebench R23 single-core gives the AMD processor a 25.3% advantage, with scores of 2211 and 1765. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 31.1% delta, with 346 versus 264. PassMark single-thread shows a 28.8% delta, with 4654 versus 3614. These results indicate that even in lightly threaded scenarios, the Zen 5 architecture and higher clock speeds of the 9700X deliver meaningful advantages over the Intel part.

Specification Differences

The processor sockets differ entirely. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X uses AMD Socket AM5, a desktop platform. The Intel Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, a soldered mobile package. This difference alone determines the target systems for each processor.

The AMD part is unlocked for overclocking, with a multiplier that can be adjusted. The Intel part is locked, with no multiplier adjustment available. The product families also differ: the 9700X belongs to the 9000 series, while the 304 carries no series designation in the database.

Process technology differs by foundry and node. The AMD processor uses TSMC at 4 nm. The Intel processor uses Intel at 3 nm. Despite the smaller process node, the Intel part does not translate that into higher performance in the recorded benchmarks.

Power characteristics differ substantially. The AMD processor has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel processor has a TDP of 15 W. The Intel part is designed for low-power mobile operation, which explains its much lower base clock of 1.50 GHz compared to 3.80 GHz for the AMD part.

Memory channels and bandwidth differ. The AMD processor uses dual-channel memory at 89.6 GB/s. The Intel processor uses single-channel memory at 59.7 GB/s. ECC support exists on the AMD part but not on the Intel part. PCIe generation and lane counts differ as well, with Gen 5 and 24 lanes on the AMD side versus Gen 4 and 6 lanes on the Intel side.

The release dates are separated by over a year. The AMD processor launched on 2024-08-07, while the Intel processor has a release date of 2026-04-15. The market segments confirm the positioning: the AMD part is Desktop, and the Intel part is Mobile. The part numbers differ as well, with the AMD unit listed as 100-000001404 and the Intel unit listed as SAE3K.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads, with no simultaneous multi-threading support.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-threaded workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD processor scores 20485 versus 5263 for the Intel processor, a 289.2% advantage. In PassMark multithread, the AMD processor scores 37161 versus 11625, a 219.7% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 304 support ECC memory?

A: No. ECC memory support is listed as false for the Intel Core 3 304. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X does support ECC memory.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor provide?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X provides 89.6 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 bus. The Intel Core 3 304 provides 59.7 GB/s over a single-channel bus supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: How do the processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD processor leads in all recorded single-thread tests. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2211 versus 1765, a 25.3% delta. PassMark single-thread shows 4654 versus 3614, a 28.8% delta.