AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data presents a complete sweep: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 3 305. There is no single test in the shared suite where the Intel part takes the lead. The AMD processor dominates across every category measured, from single-threaded workloads to heavily multithreaded render tasks, from integer math to data compression.

The use-case split is therefore stark. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the choice for any workload that benefits from raw compute throughput. Its 12 cores and 24 threads make it suitable for rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and other parallel workloads. The data shows multi-core scores that are roughly three and a half to four and a half times higher than the Intel Core 3 305 in several PassMark tests. Even in single-threaded performance, where the gap narrows, the AMD part still leads by 16.8 percent.

The Intel Core 3 305, with 6 cores and 6 threads, is positioned for an entirely different use case. Its 15 W TDP, mobile socket, and single-channel memory bus indicate a low-power, portable-oriented design. The benchmark data confirms it is not a competitor in compute-heavy scenarios. Its strongest showing is in single-threaded performance, where it trails the Ryzen 9 by only 16.8 percent. That suggests it can handle everyday responsive tasks, but the database shows no workload where it outpaces the AMD flagship.

The percentile rankings reinforce this split. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D sits at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, while the Core 3 305 is at the 72nd percentile. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 54762, versus 18302 for the Intel part. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-14100 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, both with average scores near 18300, which places it firmly in entry-level desktop or efficient mobile territory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process fabricated by Intel. The AMD chip is a desktop part on Socket AM5, while the Intel chip is a mobile part on BGA 1516.

Core counts differ dramatically: 12 cores and 24 threads for AMD versus 6 cores and 6 threads for Intel. The Intel part has no hyperthreading, so its thread count equals its core count. The AMD part doubles its threads. Clock speeds also diverge: the Ryzen 9 has a 4.40 GHz base clock and 5.50 GHz boost, while the Core 3 operates at 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The TDP difference is substantial: 120 W for the AMD part versus 15 W for the Intel part.

Cache hierarchies are entirely different in scale. The Ryzen 9 uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a large 128 MB L3 cache. The Core 3 has 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB total L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The AMD processor also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. Memory channels differ as well: the Ryzen 9 uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core 3 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe support is another divider. The AMD chip offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip offers Gen 4 with only 6 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both, but they are not comparable in the data. The Ryzen 9 uses Radeon Graphics, and the Core 3 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The Ryzen 9 was released in January 2025, the Core 3 in April 2026. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $599 for the 100-000001368 part number, and the Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309 for the SAE3L part number.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 scores 4811 against 1322 for the Core 3, a 263.9 percent lead. Single-core R15 shows 679 versus 186, a 265.1 percent gap. R20 multi-core delivers 20049 against 5511, a 263.8 percent difference, and R20 single-core shows 2830 versus 777, a 264.2 percent gap. R23 multi-core records 47737 versus 13123, another 263.8 percent lead, while R23 single-core shows 6739 versus 1852, a 263.9 percent margin.

PassMark results amplify the multi-core advantage. Integer math shows the largest gap: 179727 versus 32295, a 456.5 percent lead for AMD. Find prime numbers follows with 544 versus 115, a 373 percent margin. Data compression shows 685074 versus 146857, a 366.5 percent lead. Physics simulation records 5340 versus 1233, a 333.1 percent gap. Extended instructions deliver 55426 versus 13543, a 309.3 percent margin. Random string sorting shows 71864 versus 17623, a 307.8 percent lead. Floating point math delivers 119622 versus 42284, a 182.9 percent gap. Data encryption shows 33282 versus 11019, a 202 percent lead. PassMark multi-thread records 56154 versus 15439, a 263.7 percent margin.

The narrowest gap appears in single-threaded performance. PassMark single-thread shows 4646 versus 3977, a 16.8 percent lead for the AMD part. This is the only head-to-head result where the Intel processor comes within a reasonable distance. The data suggests that the Core 3 305 has respectable per-core efficiency, but its much lower core count and lack of multithreading leave it far behind in any parallel workload.

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D's average benchmark score of 54762 places it near the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, which scores 55093, a 0.6 percent difference. It also edges the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K (54053, 1.3 percent ahead) and the Intel Xeon 6505P (53701, 2 percent ahead). The Core 3 305, with an average of 18302, sits within 0.1 percent of the Intel Core i3-14100 (18318) and 0.2 percent of the Intel Core 5 330 (18345). These nearest-rival comparisons show that the AMD chip competes with upper-midrange desktop parts, while the Intel chip aligns with entry-level offerings.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a high-performance desktop processor for users who need substantial multi-core throughput. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, 128 MB L3 cache, and dual-channel DDR5 bandwidth deliver benchmark results that are multiples of the Intel Core 3 305 across the entire shared test suite. The 91st percentile ranking and average score of 54762 place it in the company of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, both of which it matches or slightly exceeds.

The Intel Core 3 305 is a low-power mobile processor. Its 15 W TDP, single-channel memory, and BGA socket are designed for portability and efficiency, not performance. The 72nd percentile ranking and average score of 18302 put it alongside the Intel Core i3-14100, Intel Core 5 330, and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, all within 0.4 percent of its score. For workloads that fit within its 6 cores and 6 threads, it offers a modest single-threaded score of 3977 in PassMark, which is only 16.8 percent behind the Ryzen 9.

There is no benchmark in the shared suite where the Intel chip wins. The AMD processor wins all 17 comparisons. The choice, strictly from the data, is dictated by platform and power constraints. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is for desktop builds with a 120 W power budget and a need for maximum compute. The Core 3 305 is for mobile devices with a 15 W power budget and modest performance requirements. The 456.5 percent gap in integer math and 366.5 percent gap in data compression define the performance chasm between them.

FAQ

Q: How many benchmarks does the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D win against the Intel Core 3 305?

A: The AMD processor wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks listed in the database. The Intel Core 3 305 does not win a single comparison.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 179727 versus 32295 for the Core 3 305, a 456.5 percent lead for AMD.

Q: Which processor has better single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads in every single-threaded test. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4646 versus 3977 for the Intel Core 3 305, a 16.8 percent margin.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading.

Q: How do the two processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 3 305 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Where does each processor rank among all CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is at the 91st percentile with an average benchmark score of 54762. The Intel Core 3 305 is at the 72nd percentile with an average score of 18302.