AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core 7 360 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data positions the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D as the dominant processor in this comparison, winning all 15 head-to-head benchmark tests. The Intel Core 7 360 does not record a single victory. The AMD part sits at the 95th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel part sits at the 72nd percentile. The average benchmark score for the AMD processor is 75,779, compared to 18,374 for the Intel processor.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the clear choice for any workload that benefits from multi-threaded performance or heavy compute. Its nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D, the AMD EPYC 8224P, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285, all within 0.4% of its average score. The Intel Core 7 360, by contrast, sits closest to the Intel Core i3-13100, the Intel Core 5 330, the Intel Core i3-14100, and the Intel Core 3 305, all within 0.4% of its average score.

The Intel Core 7 360 is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, a single-channel memory bus, and 6 cores with 6 threads. It is not competing in the same performance class. The data shows it is best suited for light, power-constrained mobile workloads where the AMD part, with its 170 W TDP and desktop socket, cannot even be installed. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1516, so physical compatibility alone separates these two products into completely different systems.

For a desktop user building a high-end AM5 system, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the only reasonable pick from this pair. For a mobile user needing a low-power chip, the Intel Core 7 360 is the only option, since the AMD part has no mobile socket counterpart in this comparison.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC and contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 7 360 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built on a 3 nm process at Intel. The Intel part does not record an architecture name in the database, but its generation is listed as Core 5 (Wildcat Lake).

The core configurations differ substantially. The AMD processor has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel processor has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel part lacks simultaneous multithreading entirely, so its thread count equals its core count. The AMD part doubles its threads over cores.

Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's L3 cache is over 21 times larger, which directly impacts workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD processor supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

PCIe connectivity is another separator. The AMD processor uses Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor uses Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the AMD part has Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part has Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe).

Clock speeds show the AMD part running higher. Its base clock is 4.30 GHz and its boost clock is 5.70 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The TDP gap is large: 170 W for the AMD part versus 15 W for the Intel part. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while the Intel multiplier is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D records an average benchmark score of 75,779, while the Intel Core 7 360 records 18,374.

Q: How large is the multi-core advantage for the AMD processor?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 42,018 versus 13,634 for the Intel Core 7 360, a delta of 208.2%.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 360 win any benchmark in the head-to-head set?

A: No. The head-to-head data records 15 tests, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins all 15. The Intel Core 7 360 records 0 wins.

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

A: The smallest delta is in single-thread tests. PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread both show the AMD part at 4,737 versus 4,274 for the Intel part, a delta of 10.8%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a delta of 17.4% in favor of the AMD part.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 360 does not.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 7 360 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The specification fields where the two processors differ are extensive.

Cores and threads: AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads. Intel has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Clock speeds: AMD has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. Intel has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

TDP: AMD is 170 W. Intel is 15 W.

Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket AM5. Intel uses Intel BGA 1516.

Process node: AMD is 4 nm at TSMC. Intel is 3 nm at Intel.

Transistors: AMD has 16,630 million. Intel has no recorded value.

Die size: AMD is 2x 70.6 mm². Intel has no recorded value.

Cache: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support: AMD supports DDR5. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Memory bus: AMD is dual-channel. Intel is single-channel.

Memory bandwidth: AMD is 89.6 GB/s. Intel is 59.7 GB/s.

ECC memory: AMD supports it. Intel does not.

PCIe: AMD is Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). Intel is Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics: AMD has Radeon Graphics. Intel has Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe).

Market segment: AMD is Desktop. Intel is Mobile.

Release date: AMD is 2025-01-05. Intel is 2026-04-15.

Launch MSRP: AMD is $699. Intel is $426.

Multiplier: AMD is unlocked. Intel is locked.

Part number: AMD is 100-000000719. Intel is SAE3E.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data contains 15 tests, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins every one. The largest margin comes in PassMark integer math, where the AMD part scores 243,209 versus 34,238 for the Intel part, a delta of 610.3%. That is the single biggest performance gap in the dataset.

PassMark data compression also shows a massive divide. The AMD part scores 908,421, while the Intel part scores 142,877, a delta of 535.8%. PassMark extended instructions follows with 73,011 versus 12,390, a delta of 489.3%. PassMark random string sorting shows 95,423 versus 17,636, a delta of 441.1%. PassMark find prime numbers shows 613 versus 120, a delta of 410.8%.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 6,536 versus 1,374, a delta of 375.7%. PassMark physics shows 5,670 versus 1,213, a delta of 367.4%. PassMark multithread shows 70,255 versus 15,544, a delta of 352%. PassMark data encryption shows 44,536 versus 11,164, a delta of 298.9%. PassMark floating point math shows 159,724 versus 44,963, a delta of 255.2%.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 42,018 versus 13,634, a delta of 208.2%. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 350 versus 193, a delta of 81.3%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,259 versus 1,924, a delta of 17.4%. PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread both show 4,737 versus 4,274, a delta of 10.8%.

The pattern is consistent. The AMD part leads by a wider margin in multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tests, and by a narrower margin in single-thread tests. Even the smallest single-thread delta, 10.8%, still favors the AMD processor.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its largest advantages appear in integer math, data compression, extended instructions, random string sorting, and prime number finding, all of which are throughput-heavy workloads that scale with core count, thread count, and large caches. The 128 MB L3 cache and 16-core, 32-thread configuration give it a decisive edge in any workload that parallelizes well.

The Intel Core 7 360 does not win a single head-to-head test. Its role in the data is defined by its constraints: 6 cores, 6 threads, a 15 W TDP, a single-channel memory bus, and a mobile socket. Its best relative showing is in single-thread tests, where its 4,274 PassMark single-thread score trails the AMD part by only 10.8%. That is the closest margin in the entire dataset, but it is still a loss.

The use-case split is therefore structural rather than performance-based. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a desktop part for AM5 systems with a 170 W TDP, an unlocked multiplier, Gen 5 PCIe with 24 lanes, and ECC memory support. The Intel Core 7 360 is a mobile part for BGA 1516 systems with a 15 W TDP, a locked multiplier, Gen 4 PCIe with 6 lanes, and no ECC support. Systems that require the Intel socket and power envelope will use the Intel part regardless of its benchmark position. Systems that can accommodate the AMD socket and power envelope will get the higher performance in every measured test.