AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins every benchmark recorded in the database, taking all 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 3 304 records zero wins across the same test suite. This is not a close contest; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads by margins ranging from 28.6% in single-threaded PassMark to 807% in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

The AMD processor dominates heavily in multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 47737 versus 5263 for the Intel Core 3 304 represents the largest single delta in the comparison. Similarly, PassMark integer math shows the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 179727 against 24640, a 629.4% advantage. The Intel Core 3 304 cannot compete in rendering, compilation, or any workload that scales across cores.

The single-threaded gap is much narrower, though still firmly in AMD's favor. PassMark single-thread scores are 4646 for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 3614 for the Intel Core 3 304, a 28.6% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a larger gap: 6739 versus 1765, or 281.8%. The AMD part also leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 157.2%, recording 679 against 264.

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D also holds the advantage in memory-sensitive and encryption tasks. PassMark data encryption shows 33282 versus 8501, a 291.5% lead. Data compression favors AMD at 685074 versus 114775, a 496.9% margin. The Intel Core 3 304's single-channel memory bus and limited cache likely contribute to these deficits, though the core count difference alone explains most of the gap.

The Intel Core 3 304 does post competitive results in one narrow area: its PassMark single-thread score of 3614 is the closest any benchmark comes to the AMD part. Still, the 28.6% deficit means even lightly threaded applications favor the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. The database shows no workload category where the Intel Core 3 304 takes the lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies entirely. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process, with 5 cores and 5 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. Its base clock is 1.50 GHz and boost clock is 4.30 GHz.

Cache configuration differs dramatically. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 304 has 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD processor's 128 MB L3 is more than 21 times larger than Intel's 6 MB shared L3. This cache advantage directly supports the AMD part's 3D V-Cache design, which is not reflected in the Intel part.

Memory support also diverges. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses dual-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The AMD part's wider memory bus provides 50% more bandwidth on paper, which shows up in the compression and encryption benchmarks.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core 3 304 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes. This positions the AMD part for discrete GPUs and high-speed NVMe storage, while the Intel part is clearly aimed at lower-power mobile designs.

The socket and market segment tell the rest of the story. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses AMD Socket AM5 and targets desktop. The Intel Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516, a soldered mobile socket, and targets the mobile segment. The Intel part has a TDP of 15 watts versus 120 watts for the AMD part, reflecting its low-power mobile intent. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip does not.

The Intel Core 3 304 integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D includes Radeon Graphics. Both have integrated graphics, but the database records no benchmarks comparing their iGPU performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 47737 against 5263 for the Intel Core 3 304, a delta of 807%. This is the most extreme margin in the entire comparison and reflects the combination of 12 cores versus 5 and the AMD part's larger cache.

PassMark find prime numbers shows a 700% delta, with the AMD part scoring 544 against 68. PassMark integer math follows at 629.4%, with 179727 versus 24640. PassMark physics shows 5340 against 868, a 515.2% lead. These three tests demonstrate the AMD part's strength in compute-heavy integer and physics workloads.

Cinebench R20 results mirror the pattern. Multi-core shows 20049 versus 4160, a 381.9% delta. Single-core shows 2830 versus 587, a 382.1% delta. The nearly identical percentage in both R20 tests indicates the AMD part scales its single-core advantage evenly into multi-core territory.

PassMark data compression shows 685074 versus 114775, a 496.9% delta. PassMark extended instructions shows 55426 versus 9686, a 472.2% delta. PassMark random string sorting shows 71864 versus 13659, a 426.1% delta. PassMark multithread shows 56154 versus 11625, a 383% delta. PassMark floating point math shows 119622 versus 29722, a 302.5% delta.

The smallest margin is PassMark single-thread, where the AMD part scores 4646 and the Intel part scores 3614, a 28.6% delta. This appears twice in the database under slightly different test names (passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread), both with identical scores. Even in the AMD part's weakest relative area, the Intel Core 3 304 cannot close the gap below 28.6%.

Cinebench R15 shows a 466.7% delta in multi-core (4811 versus 849) and a 157.2% delta in single-core (679 versus 264). PassMark data encryption rounds out the list at 291.5%, with 33282 versus 8501.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D's average benchmark score is 54762, placing it at the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF at 55093 (0.6% behind the AMD part), the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K at 54053 (1.3% ahead of the AMD part), the Intel Xeon 6505P at 53701 (2% ahead), and the Intel Core i7-14700F at 53620 (2.1% ahead). The Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745, at the 68th percentile, with closest rivals including the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 13786 (0.3% behind the Intel part), the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13868 (0.9% behind), the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 (1.1% ahead), and the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13936 (1.4% behind).

The Verdict

The data supports one clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is in a different performance class than the Intel Core 3 304. Every recorded benchmark, all 17 of them, goes to the AMD part. The average benchmark score of 54762 for the AMD part is roughly four times the Intel part's 13745. The percentile ranking confirms the gap: 91st percentile versus 68th percentile.

The Intel Core 3 304 is a low-power mobile processor with a 15 watt TDP, 5 cores, and single-channel memory. It is not designed to compete with a 120 watt desktop flagship. Its best showing is the 28.6% deficit in PassMark single-thread, which indicates that even in lightly threaded tasks, the AMD part has a clear edge.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D suits anyone needing maximum multi-threaded performance, large cache, and desktop-class connectivity. The Intel Core 3 304 suits low-power mobile designs where the 15 watt TDP and integrated Xe3 Graphics matter more than raw compute. The database does not record any workload where the Intel part wins, so the choice comes down to platform and power requirements rather than benchmark performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

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

A: Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the largest delta at 807%, with the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scoring 47737 versus 5263 for the Intel Core 3 304.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 304 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus. The Intel Core 3 304 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a TDP of 120 watts. The Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D | Intel Core 3 304 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 5 |

| Threads | 24 | 5 |

| Base Clock | 4.40 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Not listed |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB total |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB total |

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 6 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 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 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $599 | $309 |