AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 3 304. No test in the database favors the Intel part. The margins, however, vary dramatically depending on the workload.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the AMD scores 212,598 against 24,640 for the Intel, a delta of 762.8%. This is the widest margin recorded in the comparison set. The AMD's 16 cores and 32 threads simply overwhelm the Intel's 5 cores and 5 threads in throughput-oriented integer work. Data compression shows a similar pattern: 731,998 versus 114,775, a 537.8% advantage. Extended instructions follow at 498.2%, with the AMD posting 57,946 against 9,686.

Cinebench multicore results reinforce the same conclusion. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD scores 37,159 versus 5,263, a 606% delta. The R15 multicore test shows 5,905 against 849, a 595.5% advantage. These are the second and third largest margins in the dataset, trailing only the integer math result. The pattern is consistent: when all cores are engaged, the AMD's core count and thread count create an insurmountable lead.

Random string sorting shows a 470.2% delta (77,890 versus 13,659), while floating point math lands at 359.9% (136,682 versus 29,722). The PassMark multithread score of 56,171 versus 11,625 represents a 383.2% advantage. Data encryption posts 37,330 against 8,501, a 339.1% delta. Find prime numbers shows 287 versus 68, a 322.1% margin. Physics simulation records 2,720 against 868, a 213.4% delta. Even the smallest multicore margin, physics at 213.4%, remains a decisive lead.

Single-threaded results narrow the gap considerably. In PassMark single-thread, the AMD scores 4,393 against 3,614, a 21.6% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,174 versus 1,765, a 23.2% margin. Cinebench R15 single-core records 336 against 264, a 27.3% advantage. These margins, while still favoring the AMD, indicate that the Intel part is far more competitive when only one core is active. The AMD's 5.40 GHz boost clock versus the Intel's 4.30 GHz boost clock contributes to this edge, but the gap is modest compared to the multicore deltas.

The average benchmark score tells the broader story. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX averages 91,199 across its benchmark suite, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13,745. The AMD sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, whereas the Intel lands in the 68th percentile. The AMD's nearest rivals by average score are the Intel Xeon 654 at 90,717 (0.5% behind), the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 at 90,541 (0.7% behind), the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus at 93,785 (2.8% ahead), and the Intel Xeon 6520P at 93,786 (2.8% ahead). The Intel Core 3 304, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 13,786 (0.3% ahead), the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13,868 (0.9% ahead), the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13,594 (1.1% behind), and the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13,936 (1.4% ahead). These rival groups confirm that the two processors operate in entirely different performance strata.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins every benchmark category in the database. There is no test where the Intel Core 3 304 records a higher score. The relevant question is not which processor wins, but which workloads show the AMD's advantage at its most extreme versus its most contained.

The AMD's largest wins occur in heavily parallel workloads. Integer math, Cinebench multicore, data compression, and random string sorting all show deltas above 470%. These tasks scale with core count and thread count, and the AMD's 16 cores and 32 threads provide eight times the thread count of the Intel's 5 threads. The PassMark multithread score of 56,171 confirms that the AMD maintains high throughput even when all resources are saturated.

The AMD's smallest wins occur in single-threaded tests. PassMark single-thread, Cinebench R23 single-core, and Cinebench R15 single-core all show deltas between 21.6% and 27.3%. These workloads depend on clock speed and per-core efficiency rather than core count. The AMD's 5.40 GHz boost clock and Zen 5 architecture provide the edge, but the Intel's 4.30 GHz boost clock keeps it within striking distance. The Intel's 3 nm process node, manufactured by Intel, may contribute to its competitive single-thread showing despite its lower clock ceiling.

The Intel Core 3 304, for its part, offers a 15 W TDP against the AMD's 55 W TDP. This makes it suited for thermally constrained mobile designs where power draw matters more than raw throughput. Its single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, however, limit its ability to feed data to even its modest core count. The AMD's dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth support its higher core count more effectively.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX outperforms the Intel Core 3 304 in every recorded test, with average benchmark scores of 91,199 versus 13,745. The AMD's 96th percentile ranking places it among the top processors in the database, while the Intel's 68th percentile places it in the mid-range.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is the appropriate choice for workloads that demand high multithreaded throughput. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with 64 MB of shared L3 cache, deliver multicore scores that are six to seven times higher than the Intel part in Cinebench R23 and R15. Its single-thread performance also leads, though by a narrower margin.

The Intel Core 3 304 fits a different profile. Its 5 cores, 5 threads, and 15 W TDP indicate a low-power design for basic mobile computing. Its single-thread scores, while lower, are within roughly 22% to 27% of the AMD in the recorded tests. For tasks that do not scale beyond one or two threads, the Intel part is not as far behind as the multicore deltas suggest.

The launch MSRP for the Intel Core 3 304 is $309. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX averages 91,199, while the Intel Core 3 304 averages 13,745.

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

A: The AMD leads by 21.6% in PassMark single-thread (4,393 versus 3,614), by 23.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2,174 versus 1,765), and by 27.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core (336 versus 264).

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

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD scores 212,598 against 24,640, a delta of 762.8%.

Q: How do their Cinebench R23 multicore scores compare?

A: The AMD scores 37,159, which is 606% higher than the Intel's 5,263.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core 3 304 boosts to 4.30 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename. It is built on a 4 nm process node at TSMC and contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename with no recorded architecture name in the database. It is built on a 3 nm process node at Intel. The AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel provides 192 KB of L1 cache total, 2.5 MB of L2 cache total, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD's per-core L2 allocation scales with its 16 cores, while the Intel's L2 is a fixed total across its 5 cores.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and includes ECC memory support. The Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth and no ECC support. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 CPU-only lanes, while the Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU-only lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The AMD includes Radeon 610M graphics. The Intel includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. Both target the mobile market segment and are marked as active in production.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core 3 304 does not. The AMD's part number is 100-000001028, and the Intel's is SAE3K. The AMD was released on 2025-01-05, while the Intel is dated 2026-04-15.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across every major specification field in the database. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX offers 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 offers 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the AMD and 1.50 GHz for the Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 4.30 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 55 W for the AMD and 15 W for the Intel.

Sockets differ: AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel BGA 1516. Process nodes differ: 4 nm at TSMC for the AMD, 3 nm at Intel for the Intel. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel is locked. The AMD supports ECC memory; the Intel does not. Memory channels differ: dual-channel for the AMD, single-channel for the Intel. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the AMD and 59.7 GB/s for the Intel. PCIe generations and lane counts differ: Gen 5 with 28 lanes for the AMD, Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M for the AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) for the Intel. The AMD's release date is 2025-01-05; the Intel's is 2026-04-15. The Intel carries a launch MSRP of $309; the AMD has none recorded.