AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep in favor of the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390. Out of 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, the AMD part wins all 17, while the Intel Core 3 304 records zero victories. This is not a close contest by any metric measured in the database.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 dominates in every multi-threaded workload category. Its largest margins appear in Cinebench R23 multicore (585.2% ahead) and PassMark integer math (494.6% ahead). These are workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, and the AMD processor brings 12 cores and 24 threads against the Intel part's 5 cores and 5 threads.

Single-threaded performance tells a different but still one-sided story. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 leads in PassMark single-thread by only 11.5%, a modest gap compared to the multicore deltas. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the lead expands to 188.4%. The Intel Core 3 304 has a higher boost clock relative to its base clock, but the recorded scores show the AMD architecture still delivers stronger per-core results.

The Intel Core 3 304 does not win any benchmark category. Its closest performance relative to the AMD part appears in PassMark single-thread, where the delta narrows to 11.5%. Every other test shows a gap of at least 94.3% in favor of the AMD processor. The database shows the Intel part performing at a much lower absolute level across the board, which aligns with its position in the overall percentile rankings.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice for users who need compute throughput. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 sits at the 91st percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Intel Core 3 304 sits at the 68th percentile. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 56273, compared to 13745 for the Intel part.

For multithreaded rendering, data compression, encryption, or physics calculations, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the only reasonable pick from this comparison. It delivers 328.2% higher Cinebench R15 multicore scores, 264.1% higher Cinebench R20 multicore scores, and 585.2% higher Cinebench R23 multicore scores. The PassMark multithread score is 259% higher.

For users who prioritize single-thread responsiveness, the AMD part still wins, though by a smaller margin. The PassMark single-thread score is 4028 against 3614, an 11.5% advantage. The Cinebench R15 singlecore score is 513 against 264, a 94.3% advantage. No recorded benchmark favors the Intel Core 3 304.

The Intel Core 3 304 has a lower thermal envelope, with a TDP of 15 watts against 55 watts for the AMD part. For workloads that must fit within that power constraint, the Intel part may be the only option. The data does not indicate any performance scenario where the Intel chip wins, so any selection of that part must be based on power or platform requirements rather than benchmark results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 multicore. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 36064, and the Intel Core 3 304 scores 5263, a delta of 585.2%. This test stresses all cores simultaneously, and the AMD part's 12 cores with 24 threads dwarf the Intel part's 5 cores with 5 threads. The AMD processor also has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the Intel side, which helps sustain heavy multi-threaded loads.

PassMark integer math shows the second-largest gap at 494.6%. The AMD score is 146519, and the Intel score is 24640. Integer math performance often correlates with core count and memory bandwidth, and the AMD part's quad-channel LPDDR5X memory at 256.0 GB/s provides far more throughput than the Intel part's single-channel configuration at 59.7 GB/s.

PassMark find prime numbers shows a 364.7% lead for AMD, with scores of 316 and 68. This workload is sensitive to both core count and per-core efficiency. The AMD part's Zen 5 architecture at a 4 nm process node demonstrates a substantial advantage over the Intel part's Wildcat Lake architecture at a 3 nm node.

Data compression favors AMD by 324.4%, with scores of 487145 and 114775. Data encryption shows a 195.2% lead, with 25097 against 8501. Extended instructions also go to AMD by 299.7%, with 38716 against 9686. These results indicate the AMD part handles both memory-bound and compute-bound tasks with far greater capacity.

The smallest margin in the entire set is PassMark single-thread, where AMD leads by 11.5% (4028 against 3614). This is the only test where the Intel Core 3 304 comes within a reasonable distance. The Cinebench singlecore tests show much larger gaps: 94.3% in R15, 264.2% in R20, and 188.4% in R23. The discrepancy suggests the PassMark single-thread test may not stress the same instruction paths as the Cinebench suite.

FAQ

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins 17 of 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 3 304 wins zero.

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

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 leads by 585.2% (36064 against 5263).

Q: Is the Intel Core 3 304 competitive in single-threaded tasks?

A: In PassMark single-thread, the Intel part scores 3614 against 4028, a gap of 11.5%. In Cinebench singlecore tests, the gaps are much larger: 94.3% in R15, 264.2% in R20, and 188.4% in R23.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has an average benchmark score of 56273. The Intel Core 3 304 has an average benchmark score of 13745.

Q: How do the processors rank among all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is at the 91st percentile. The Intel Core 3 304 is at the 68th percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core 3 304 has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Strix Halo codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process. The die size is listed as 2x 70.6 mm², indicating a chiplet design. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, manufactured by Intel on a 3 nm process. No die size is recorded for the Intel part.

The AMD processor integrates a Radeon 8050S graphics solution, while the Intel part integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD part supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. The AMD processor uses LPDDR5X memory in a quad-channel configuration, while the Intel part supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration.

The AMD part has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part has 5 cores and 5 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD part draws 55 watts TDP, and the Intel part draws 15 watts TDP.

The AMD processor uses an AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516. The AMD part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes, and the Intel part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part was released on 2025-01-05, and the Intel part was released on 2026-04-15.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and Intel Core 3 304 differ across nearly every recorded specification field.

• Cores: AMD has 12, Intel has 5.
• Threads: AMD has 24, Intel has 5.
• Base clock: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz, Intel at 1.50 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD reaches 5.00 GHz, Intel reaches 4.30 GHz.
• TDP: AMD draws 55 watts, Intel draws 15 watts.
• Socket: AMD uses Socket FP11, Intel uses BGA 1516.
• Process node: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm from Intel.
• Memory support: AMD uses LPDDR5X only, Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.
• Memory bus: AMD is quad-channel, Intel is single-channel.
• Memory bandwidth: AMD records 256.0 GB/s, Intel records 59.7 GB/s.
• ECC memory: AMD supports it, Intel does not.
• PCIe: AMD has Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel has Gen 4 with 6 lanes.
• Integrated graphics: AMD uses Radeon 8050S, Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe).
• Cache: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3.
• Release date: AMD launched 2025-01-05, Intel launches 2026-04-15.
• Part number: AMD is 100-000001423, Intel is SAE3K.
• Launch MSRP: Intel lists $309; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.