AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core 3 305 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and Intel Core 3 305 occupy opposite ends of the mobile processor spectrum, and the benchmark data confirms a decisive performance gap. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, a 16-core Zen 5 flagship, consistently delivers over 190% higher multi-core scores and a 13.4% advantage in single-threaded tests. The Intel Core 3 305, a 6-core Wildcat Lake part, sits in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip ranks in the 96th percentile. This analysis examines the architectural, benchmark, and specification differences between these two very different mobile processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD part does not use Hyper-Threading, so its thread count equals its core count.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core 3 305 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 305 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has an average benchmark score of 97453, while the Intel Core 3 305 has an average benchmark score of 18302.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a TDP of 55 watts. The Intel Core 3 305 has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D scores 2159.5, which is 16.6% higher than the Intel Core 3 305's score of 1852.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Fire Range codename, using a 4 nm process from TSMC. It features 16,630 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 3 305 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, fabricated on Intel's 3 nm process, with a monolithic design. The AMD chip integrates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel part has 192 KB of L1 cache and 2.5 MB of L2 cache total.

Memory support diverges significantly. The Ryzen 9 supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 3 also supports DDR5 but adds LPDDR5X, though it uses a single-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the AMD processor but not on the Intel chip. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part uses Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while the Intel part uses Gen 4 with 6 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D includes Radeon 610M graphics, while the Intel Core 3 305 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the Intel chip has a locked multiplier. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a total sweep: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins all 15 recorded head-to-head tests. The largest margin comes in PassMark integer math, where the AMD chip scores 222503 against 32295, a 589% difference. This massive gap reflects the core count and clock speed advantages of the Ryzen 9.

Multi-core workloads show severe separation. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 6042.5 versus 1322 for the Intel, a 357.1% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 38161.5 versus 13123, a 190.8% delta. PassMark multithread results are similarly lopsided: 62674 for the AMD against 15439 for the Intel, a 305.9% delta.

Data compression and encryption also favor the AMD heavily. PassMark data compression scores 785811 versus 146857, a 435.1% delta. Data encryption shows 39446 versus 11019, a 258% delta. Extended instructions produce 62813 versus 13543, a 363.8% delta. Random string sorting yields 83497 versus 17623, a 373.8% delta.

Single-thread performance is closer but still favors the AMD. Cinebench R15 single-core scores 332 versus 186, a 78.5% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core scores 2159.5 versus 1852, a 16.6% delta. PassMark single-thread scores 4511 versus 3977, a 13.4% delta. The passmark_singlethread test shows the same values and percentage.

Other PassMark tests follow the same pattern. Floating point math scores 144122 versus 42284, a 240.8% delta. Physics scores 4687 versus 1233, a 280.1% delta. Find prime numbers scores 525 versus 115, a 356.5% delta.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 3 305 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.40 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. TDP is 55 watts versus 15 watts.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip uses 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 128 MB of L3. The Intel chip uses 192 KB of L1 total and 2.5 MB of L2 total, with 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD processor has 16,630 million transistors, while the Intel processor has no transistor count listed.

Socket and platform differences are notable. The AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. Memory support for the AMD is DDR5 with dual-channel and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but with single-channel and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD. PCIe generation differs: Gen 5 with 28 lanes for AMD, Gen 4 with 6 lanes for Intel.

The integrated GPUs are distinct: Radeon 610M for AMD, Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) for Intel. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel is locked. The AMD has a part number of 100-000001030, while the Intel has SAE3L. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $309; the AMD has none listed. Release dates also differ, with the AMD released earlier and the Intel later.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is defined by the magnitude of its advantage. The largest wins are in integer math (589% delta), data compression (435.1% delta), and random string sorting (373.8% delta). These results indicate the AMD processor is best suited for workloads that scale with core count and high memory bandwidth, such as software compilation, data processing, and scientific computing.

The Intel Core 3 305, despite losing all tests, shows its narrowest gaps in single-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score trails by 16.6%, and PassMark single-thread trails by 13.4%. These closer margins suggest the Intel part is relatively more competitive in lightly threaded tasks, though it still loses. The Intel chip also has a much lower TDP of 15 watts compared to 55 watts, which positions it for power-constrained environments where thermal output is a primary concern.

The AMD processor's 128 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel memory give it a structural advantage in cache-sensitive workloads like data encryption (258% delta) and extended instructions (363.8% delta). The Intel part's single-channel memory and 6 MB of L3 limit its throughput in such tasks. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the AMD is the clear choice. For users prioritizing low power draw and lighter workloads, the Intel chip offers a smaller footprint without matching performance.

The Verdict

The benchmark data provides a definitive ranking: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D outperforms the Intel Core 3 305 in every recorded test, with an average benchmark score of 97453 versus 18302. The AMD chip sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits in the 72nd percentile. The AMD's nearest rivals are AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX (1.1% lower), AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 (1.4% higher), AMD EPYC 4565P (1.8% higher), and AMD EPYC 9175F (1.9% higher). The Intel's nearest rivals are Intel Core i3-14100 (0.1% lower), Intel Core 5 330 (0.2% lower), Intel Core 7 360 (0.4% lower), and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E (0.4% higher).

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the only choice for users who need maximum multi-core performance, as shown by its 190.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 305.9% lead in PassMark multithread. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 128 MB of L3 cache deliver the highest scores in this comparison. The Intel Core 3 305, with 6 cores and 6 threads, is suited for basic mobile tasks where its 15 watt TDP and single-channel memory keep power consumption low. Its single-thread scores are closer to the AMD, but still 13.4% lower in PassMark single-thread.

The data does not support any scenario where the Intel Core 3 305 wins a benchmark against the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. The Intel chip matches closely with its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i3-14100, which has a nearly identical average score. The AMD chip competes at the level of high-end workstation and server processors. Users selecting between these two parts should base their decision on the performance requirements of their workloads. The AMD delivers superior results across all measured categories, while the Intel offers a lower-power alternative for less demanding environments.