AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a completely one-sided outcome: the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 3 304 records zero wins. This is not a close contest by any measure. The AMD part wins across every workload category in the database, from single-threaded execution to multi-threaded throughput, from integer math to data compression.

The largest margins appear in compute-heavy integer workloads. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 172943 in PassMark integer math versus 24640 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 601.9% advantage. Data compression shows a 477.1% delta, with the AMD part scoring 662381 against 114775. Extended instructions follow at 455.6% (53817 versus 9686), and random string sorting shows a 413.8% delta (70175 versus 13659). These are not incremental differences; the AMD processor delivers multiple times the throughput of the Intel chip in these tests.

The single-threaded gap is much narrower in percentage terms but still decisive. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 4461 in PassMark single-thread versus 3614 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 23.4% advantage. This indicates that even in lightly threaded scenarios, the AMD architecture holds a clear lead, though the relative margin is far smaller than in multi-core or SIMD-heavy workloads.

Multi-threaded performance shows the AMD part at 51722 versus 11625, a 344.9% delta. Floating-point math delivers 115062 versus 29722, a 287.1% margin. Data encryption shows 32139 versus 8501, a 278.1% delta. Physics simulation scores 3054 versus 868, a 251.8% advantage. Prime number finding shows 323 versus 68, a 375% delta. The Intel Core 3 304 has no workload in the database where it outperforms the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and market positions. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Fire Range codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The thermal design power is 55 watts, and the chip uses AMD Socket FL1. The transistor count is listed at 16,630 million across a 2x 70.6 mm² die configuration.

The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It has 5 cores and 5 threads, with no hyperthreading. Base clock sits at 1.50 GHz and boost reaches 4.30 GHz. The thermal design power is 15 watts, and the chip uses Intel BGA 1516. The database lists no transistor count or die size for this part.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 304 has 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's L3 cache alone is more than ten times the Intel chip's entire L3 pool, which explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap.

Memory support also diverges sharply. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX supports DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. The AMD part supports ECC memory; the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD chip offers Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while the Intel chip provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both, with the AMD Radeon 610M versus Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel Core 3 304 is locked. Production status for both is listed as active. Release dates show the AMD part arriving on 2025-01-05 and the Intel part on 2026-04-15. The AMD part carries the part number 100-000001366; the Intel part carries SAE3K.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX winning every comparison, but the magnitude varies by workload. The single-thread test is the closest result: 4461 versus 3614, a 23.4% delta. This is the only benchmark where the Intel Core 3 304 stays within striking distance. For tasks that depend heavily on one or two cores, the AMD part still leads, but the margin is modest compared to the rest of the suite.

The integer math test produces the largest delta in the entire database at 601.9%. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 172943 while the Intel Core 3 304 manages 24640. This result indicates that the AMD part's wider execution resources and higher thread count translate into massive integer throughput advantages. Similar patterns appear in data compression (477.1% delta) and extended instructions (455.6% delta), where the AMD part scores 662381 and 53817 respectively, versus 114775 and 9686 for the Intel chip.

Find prime numbers shows a 375% delta (323 versus 68), random string sorting shows 413.8% (70175 versus 13659), and multi-threaded performance shows 344.9% (51722 versus 11625). Floating-point math delivers 287.1% (115062 versus 29722), data encryption shows 278.1% (32139 versus 8501), and physics simulation shows 251.8% (3054 versus 868). Every one of these deltas exceeds 250%, meaning the AMD part is more than three and a half times faster in the smallest of these margins, and over seven times faster in the largest.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces the gap. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has an average score of 106413, placing it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 3 304 has an average score of 13745, placing it in the 68th percentile. The AMD part's nearest rivals in the database include Intel Xeon w7-3555 (0.2% delta), Intel Xeon 6521P (0.5% delta), Intel Xeon w7-2595X (-2.1% delta), and AMD EPYC 8324P (3% delta). The Intel Core 3 304's nearest rivals include AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (-0.3% delta), Intel Core i7-8750H (-0.9% delta), Intel Core 5 120UL (1.1% delta), and AMD EPYC 7443 (-1.4% delta). These rival lists show that the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX competes in the workstation/server class, while the Intel Core 3 304 sits in the mid-range mobile segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads with no hyperthreading.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 4461 in PassMark single-thread versus 3614 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 23.4% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: What is the largest benchmark delta between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 172943 versus 24640 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 601.9% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX supports DDR5 over dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has an average benchmark score of 106413, placing in the 97th percentile. The Intel Core 3 304 has an average score of 13745, placing in the 68th percentile.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear separation of roles. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX is designed for demanding multi-threaded workloads, as shown by its 51722 PassMark multi-thread score and its 64 MB L3 cache. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 5.20 GHz boost clock and 55 watt TDP, place it in a performance class where its nearest rivals are Intel Xeon workstation processors and AMD EPYC server chips. The 97th percentile ranking confirms that this part belongs in the upper tier of all CPUs in the database.

The Intel Core 3 304 occupies a different segment entirely. Its 5 cores and 5 threads, 1.50 GHz base clock, and 15 watt TDP indicate a low-power mobile design. The 4.30 GHz boost clock provides reasonable single-thread performance, and the 3614 single-thread score is respectable for its class, sitting just 23.4% behind the AMD part in that specific test. However, the 6 MB L3 cache and single-channel memory bus limit its multi-threaded capabilities. The 68th percentile ranking places it in the mid-range of all CPUs.

Users who need maximum throughput in compression, encryption, math, or physics workloads should select the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX. The data shows no workload where the Intel Core 3 304 even comes close, with the smallest margin being the 23.4% single-thread deficit and the largest being the 601.9% integer math deficit. The Intel Core 3 304 may serve in low-power or fanless designs where its 15 watt TDP and single-channel memory are acceptable trade-offs, but the benchmark record offers no evidence of performance parity in any measured category.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every listed specification. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 uses 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.20 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. TDP values are 55 watts versus 15 watts. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FL1; the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516.

Architecture and manufacturing differ completely. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX uses Zen 5 (Fire Range) on a 4 nm TSMC process with 16,630 million transistors and a 2x 70.6 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 304 uses Wildcat Lake on a 3 nm Intel process with no transistor or die size data recorded. Cache structures differ: the AMD part has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3, while the Intel part has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB L3 shared.

Memory support diverges on bus width and bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX supports DDR5 dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s and ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X single-channel with 59.7 GB/s and no ECC. PCIe connectivity shows Gen 5 with 28 lanes for the AMD part versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Intel part. Integrated graphics differ as Radeon 610M versus Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part is locked. The AMD part releases on 2025-01-05 with part number 100-000001366; the Intel part releases on 2026-04-15 with part number SAE3K and a launch MSRP of $309.