AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database. The Intel Core 3 305 does not record a single victory across the 15 compared tests. The scale of the AMD lead varies enormously by workload, from a modest single-thread edge to a massive advantage in integer math.

The largest gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 212,598 against 32,295 for the Core 3 305, a delta of 558.3%. This reflects the AMD chip's 16 cores and 32 threads versus 6 cores and 6 threads on the Intel part. Data compression tells a similar story: the AMD scores 731,998 versus 146,857, a 398.4% lead. Extended instructions show a 327.9% gap (57,946 vs. 13,543), and random string sorting shows a 342% delta (77,890 vs. 17,623).

Cinebench multi-core results confirm the pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 9955HX delivers 37,159 points against 13,123 for the Core 3 305, a 183.2% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows an even larger relative gap: 5,905 vs. 1,322, or 346.7%. PassMark multi-thread scores follow with 56,171 vs. 15,439, a 263.8% delta.

The single-core picture is closer but still favors AMD. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 2,174 versus 1,852 for the Intel chip, a 17.4% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4,393 vs. 3,977, a 10.5% edge. The Cinebench R15 single-core gap is larger at 80.6% (336 vs. 186), but the modern tests indicate a more competitive single-thread performance.

Other workloads show substantial AMD advantages. Floating-point math: 136,682 vs. 42,284, a 223.2% lead. Data encryption: 37,330 vs. 11,019, a 238.8% gap. Find prime numbers: 287 vs. 115, a 149.6% lead. Physics: 2,720 vs. 1,233, a 120.6% advantage. The AMD part also sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel Core 3 305 sits at the 72nd percentile.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has an average benchmark score of 91,199, while the Intel Core 3 305 averages 18,302. The AMD part sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs; the Intel part sits at the 72nd percentile.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX compare to its closest rivals?

A: The AMD chip is 0.5% ahead of the Intel Xeon 654 and 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 in average score. It trails the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Intel Xeon 6520P by 2.8% each.

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 305 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i3-14100 and 0.2% behind the Intel Core 5 330. It also trails the Intel Core 7 360 by 0.4% and leads the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E by 0.4%.

Q: What is the release timeline for these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has a release date of January 5, 2025. The Intel Core 3 305 has a release date of April 15, 2026. Both are listed as active in production.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core 3 305?

A: The Intel Core 3 305 has a launch MSRP of $309. No launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX.

Q: Which processor has more benchmark wins in head-to-head comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX records 15 wins out of 15 head-to-head benchmark tests. The Intel Core 3 305 records zero wins.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins in every measured category. Its largest advantages come in heavily parallel workloads: integer math (558.3% ahead), data compression (398.4% ahead), and random string sorting (342% ahead). These results align with its 16 cores and 32 threads, which allow it to process far more work simultaneously than the Intel Core 3 305's 6 cores and 6 threads.

The AMD chip also dominates in rendering and synthetic multi-core tests. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 183.2% lead, and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 346.7% lead. PassMark multi-thread confirms the pattern with a 263.8% advantage. For users running CPU-heavy rendering, compilation, or data processing tasks, the AMD part provides a clear performance tier above the Intel chip.

The Intel Core 3 305, while losing every comparison, shows its closest relative performance in single-threaded tests. The PassMark single-thread gap is only 10.5%, and the Cinebench R23 single-core gap is 17.4%. This suggests that in lightly threaded workloads, the Intel chip's efficiency-oriented design keeps it within striking distance of the AMD flagship. Its 3 nm process node and 15 W TDP point to a design focused on power efficiency rather than raw throughput.

The Intel part also offers no wins in the database for encryption, physics, or extended instructions. The AMD chip leads encryption by 238.8%, physics by 120.6%, and extended instructions by 327.9%. There is no workload category in the recorded data where the Intel Core 3 305 comes out ahead.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ sharply. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD part supports simultaneous multithreading; the Intel part does not.

Clock speeds also differ. The AMD chip has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD part's boost clock is 1.10 GHz higher.

Thermal design power shows a major difference: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has a TDP of 55 W, while the Intel Core 3 305 has a TDP of 15 W. This reflects the AMD part's higher core count and performance orientation.

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

PCIe connectivity differs. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core 3 305 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only).

The sockets are different: AMD Socket FL1 for the Ryzen 9 9955HX, Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 3 305. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part is locked.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Zen 5 architecture under the codename Fire Range. It belongs to the 9000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm².

The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename under the Core 3 generation. It is built on a 3 nm process at Intel. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part.

Cache structures differ significantly. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip provides 192 KB of L1 cache total, 2.5 MB of L2 cache total, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's L3 cache is more than 10 times larger.

Integrated graphics differ. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses Radeon 610M graphics. The Intel Core 3 305 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. Both are mobile processors, and both support DDR5 memory, though the Intel part adds LPDDR5X support.

The AMD part's process node is 4 nm from TSMC, while the Intel part uses a 3 nm node from Intel. The AMD chip's unlocked multiplier and higher TDP indicate a performance-first design, while the Intel chip's lower TDP and smaller core count indicate an efficiency-first design.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX outperforms the Intel Core 3 305 in every recorded test. The AMD chip wins all 15 head-to-head comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 91,199 versus 18,302 for the Intel part. The AMD chip sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits at the 72nd percentile.

For users who need maximum multi-core throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is the clear choice. Its 16 cores and 32 threads deliver leads of 183.2% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 263.8% in PassMark multi-thread, and 558.3% in integer math. The 64 MB shared L3 cache and 89.6 GB/s dual-channel memory bandwidth support these workloads. The unlocked multiplier also allows overclocking for users who want to push beyond stock performance.

For users who prioritize efficiency and low power draw, the Intel Core 3 305 has a role. Its 15 W TDP is 40 W lower than the AMD part's 55 W TDP, and its 3 nm process node from Intel suggests strong power efficiency. The single-threaded performance gap is much smaller: 10.5% in PassMark single-thread and 17.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core. In lightly threaded tasks such as basic productivity or web browsing, the Intel chip would be closer in real-world feel despite its lower absolute scores.

The Intel Core 3 305's single-channel memory bus and 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes limit its bandwidth and expandability compared to the AMD part's dual-channel memory and 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel chip also lacks ECC memory support, which the AMD part provides.

The release dates place these parts in different market segments: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX arrived in January 2025, while the Intel Core 3 305 is scheduled for April 2026. The AMD part targets high-performance mobile workstations and gaming laptops. The Intel part targets low-power, thin-and-light systems where battery life matters more than compute throughput.

The data supports a simple split: pick the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX for maximum performance in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads alike. Pick the Intel Core 3 305 for its 15 W TDP, its launch MSRP of $309, and its efficiency-oriented design, accepting a substantial performance deficit in every measured benchmark.