AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a dominant sweep for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D across all 17 shared benchmark tests, with the Intel Core 5 330 failing to win a single comparison. The most extreme margin appears in PassMark integer math, where the AMD part scores 179,727 against Intel's 33,258, a delta of 440.4%. That gap reflects the fundamental difference in core count and thread handling between the two processors.

Cinebench results reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D records 47,737 points versus 13,150 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 263% advantage. The single-core R23 test shows a similar ratio: 6,739 versus 1,856, for a 263.1% delta. The consistency of these margins across R15, R20, and R23 indicates that the performance gap is not workload-specific but rather structural.

PassMark multi-thread testing shows the AMD part scoring 56,154 against 15,471, another 263% delta. The physics test widens the gap further: 5,340 versus 1,201, a 344.6% difference. Data compression shows 685,074 versus 145,287, a 371.5% margin, while extended instructions produce a 332.7% gap (55,426 versus 12,808).

The narrowest margin in the entire dataset appears in PassMark single-thread performance. Here the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 4,646 against 4,088 for the Intel Core 5 330, a comparatively modest 13.6% advantage. This indicates that while the AMD processor enjoys overwhelming multi-core superiority, its single-core lead, though real, is far less dramatic.

Floating-point math shows a 172.6% delta (119,622 versus 43,885), while random string sorting delivers a 304.4% margin (71,864 versus 17,771). Prime number finding shows 544 versus 114, a 377.2% gap. Data encryption completes the picture with 33,282 versus 11,076, a 200.5% advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins every benchmark category recorded in the database. Its 12 cores and 24 threads deliver multi-threaded performance that the Intel Core 5 330's 6 cores and 6 threads cannot approach. The absence of simultaneous multi-threading on the Intel part is a decisive factor in workloads that scale with thread count, such as Cinebench multi-core rendering, PassMark multi-thread tests, and physics simulations.

For integer-heavy tasks, the AMD processor's lead exceeds 400%. This includes arithmetic operations, data compression, and encryption workloads. The 128 MB L3 cache on the AMD part likely contributes to these results, as does the higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz compared to 4.60 GHz on the Intel.

The Intel Core 5 330 does show competitive single-thread performance relative to its own multi-core results. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,088 is only 13.6% behind the AMD part, which is the closest margin in the entire head-to-head set. However, even in this category, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D takes the win.

The Intel processor's mobile segment positioning, with a 15 W TDP and single-channel memory support, suggests it targets efficiency-focused platforms. Its benchmark scores place it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD part sits in the 91st percentile. The database shows the Intel Core 5 330's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-14100 (0.1% ahead), Intel Core 7 360 (0.2% behind), Intel Core i3-13100 (0.2% behind), and Intel Core 3 305 (0.2% ahead). These are all similarly positioned low-power or entry-level parts.

The Verdict

The data presents an unambiguous outcome. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D outperforms the Intel Core 5 330 in every recorded benchmark, with margins ranging from 13.6% in single-thread to 440.4% in integer math. The AMD processor's average benchmark score of 54,762 places it 2.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-14700F and 2% ahead of the Intel Xeon 6505P, according to the nearest rivals data. The Intel Core 5 330's average score of 18,345 places it roughly on par with the Intel Core i3-14100, which sits 0.1% above it.

For users selecting a desktop processor with high core counts and large cache, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the clear choice based on the recorded measurements. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, 128 MB L3 cache, and 5.50 GHz boost clock deliver results that the Intel Core 5 330 cannot match in any category.

For users constrained by power envelopes, the Intel Core 5 330's 15 W TDP versus the AMD part's 120 W TDP represents a substantial efficiency difference. The Intel processor also uses a mobile socket (Intel BGA 1516) and supports LPDDR5X memory, which are not features of the AMD desktop part. However, the performance data shows no scenario where the Intel processor wins.

The verdict from the database is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, and the Intel Core 5 330 wins none. The only meaningful discussion is whether the Intel part's lower power consumption and mobile form factor justify its selection for specific ultra-portable or fanless designs where the AMD part's 120 W TDP is not feasible.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 4,646 in PassMark single-thread tests, which is 13.6% higher than the Intel Core 5 330's 4,088. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 6,739 versus 1,856 for Intel, a 263.1% margin.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 47,737 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core 5 330 scores 13,150. That is a 263% delta. PassMark multi-thread shows 56,154 versus 15,471, also a 263% margin.

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

A: The largest recorded delta is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 179,727 versus 33,258 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 440.4% difference.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no simultaneous multi-threading.

Q: What are the power consumption figures?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a TDP of 120 W. The Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel, though the database does not record its transistor count or die size.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD part provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3. The Intel part lists 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. This 128 MB versus 6 MB L3 difference is the largest architectural gap between the two processors.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516, indicating a soldered mobile design. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel part is locked. The AMD part integrates Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

PCIe support differs as well. The AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The AMD part supports ECC memory; the Intel part does not.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field in the database. Core count stands at 12 for AMD versus 6 for Intel. Thread count is 24 versus 6. Base clock is 4.40 GHz for AMD versus 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clock is 5.50 GHz versus 4.60 GHz.

TDP shows 120 W for AMD versus 15 W for Intel. Socket types are AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel BGA 1516. The AMD processor's architecture is listed as Zen 5, while the Intel processor's architecture field is null. Codename is Granite Ridge versus Wildcat Lake. Process node is 4 nm (TSMC) versus 3 nm (Intel).

Memory support lists DDR5 for AMD and DDR5 plus LPDDR5X for Intel. Memory bus is dual-channel versus single-channel. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory support is true for AMD and false for Intel. PCIe is Gen 5 with 24 lanes versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes.

Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). Market segment is Desktop versus Mobile. Production status for both is Active. Release dates differ, with the AMD part recorded as 2025-01-05 and the Intel part as 2026-04-15. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel processor does not. Part numbers are 100-000001368 for AMD and SAE3G for Intel.