AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 and the Intel Core 3 304 represent two distinct extremes in the mobile processor landscape. The recorded data shows a decisive performance gap, with the AMD part winning all 15 shared benchmark comparisons, but the architectural philosophies behind each chip could not be more different. This analysis breaks down where each processor has its strengths, how their internal designs differ, and what the benchmark numbers actually indicate.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the clear victor in every single benchmark category recorded in the database. It wins all 15 head-to-head comparisons, covering Cinebench rendering tests and the full suite of PassMark workloads. The largest margins come in integer math, where it scores 502.7% higher than the Intel part, and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads by 371.7%. The AMD chip also holds a 93rd percentile ranking against all CPUs, placing it in the top tier of processors tracked by the database.

The Intel Core 3 304 does not win any of the 15 shared benchmarks. Its strongest relative showing is in single-threaded workloads, where the gap narrows considerably. In PassMark single-thread, the Intel part scores 3614 against the AMD's 3967, a deficit of only 9.8%. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip trails by just 12%. These results indicate that while the Intel part cannot match the AMD processor in any measured workload, its single-core efficiency is comparatively closer to parity than its multi-core performance.

The Intel Core 3 304 holds a 68th percentile ranking against all CPUs, which is respectable for a low-power mobile part but far below the AMD chip's 93rd percentile placement. The Intel processor's average benchmark score of 13745 sits near that of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, with a delta of -0.3%, and the Intel Core i7-8750H, with a delta of -0.9%. These nearest rivals give context to where the Core 3 304 actually lands in the broader performance hierarchy.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on TSMC's 4 nm process node. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a substantial 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip carries a 55 W TDP and uses the AMD Socket FP11.

The Intel Core 3 304 is built on a 3 nm process by Intel's own foundry. It uses the Wildcat Lake codename with a 5-core, 5-thread configuration, meaning no hyper-threading is present. Its base clock sits at 1.50 GHz with a boost of 4.30 GHz. The cache layout is notably different: 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has a 15 W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket.

Memory support diverges sharply between the two. The AMD processor uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X but only through a single-channel memory bus, capping bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s. This 4.3x difference in memory bandwidth is one of the most significant architectural gaps between the two parts and directly impacts multi-core throughput.

The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. PCIe lane counts differ as well, with the AMD processor offering Gen 4 with 16 lanes versus the Intel processor's Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with the AMD part featuring the Radeon 8050S while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 scoring 3918 against the Intel Core 3 304's 849, a 361.5% advantage. This massive gap reflects the combination of more cores, threads, and far higher memory bandwidth on the AMD side. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 24828 versus 5263, a 371.7% lead. These rendering workloads scale heavily with core count and memory bandwidth, both areas where the AMD processor has a commanding advantage.

Single-core performance tells a different story. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD chip scores 303 against the Intel's 264, a 14.8% win. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap narrows to 12%, with scores of 1976 and 1765 respectively. The PassMark single-thread test shows the closest margin of all: 3967 versus 3614, just 9.8% apart. These results indicate that the Intel Core 3 304's individual cores are reasonably competitive, but the AMD Zen 5 cores still hold a clear, if modest, advantage.

The largest delta in the entire dataset appears in PassMark integer math. The AMD processor scores 148508 against the Intel's 24640, a 502.7% advantage. This workload is highly sensitive to core count and memory bandwidth, making the result unsurprising given the architectural differences. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 375% lead for AMD, with scores of 323 and 68. Data compression yields a 341% advantage, with the AMD chip scoring 506170 versus 114775.

Extended instructions show a 322.1% gap, with scores of 40888 and 9686. Random string sorting follows at 304.5%, with 55248 versus 13659. The multi-threaded PassMark test shows a 269.1% advantage, with scores of 42912 and 11625. Floating point math shows a 218.5% gap, with 94666 versus 29722. Physics tests show a 219.5% difference, with 2773 against 868. Data encryption rounds out the list with a 206.2% advantage, scoring 26027 versus 8501.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ dramatically: 12 cores and 24 threads on the AMD side versus 5 cores and 5 threads on the Intel side. Clock speeds also differ, with the AMD chip boosting to 5.00 GHz against the Intel's 4.30 GHz, and basing at 3.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz. The TDP ratings reflect their intended use cases: 55 W for the AMD part and 15 W for the Intel part.

Process nodes differ, with AMD using 4 nm TSMC fabrication and Intel using its own 3 nm process. Cache configurations are entirely different in structure: the AMD chip uses per-core L1 and L2 allocations while the Intel part uses pooled L1 and L2 figures. L3 cache totals are 64 MB for AMD versus 6 MB for Intel. Memory support shows AMD limited to LPDDR5X while Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The memory bus differs from quad-channel on AMD to single-channel on Intel, and bandwidth figures are 256.0 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s.

ECC support is present on the AMD chip but absent on the Intel part. PCIe lane counts differ at 16 versus 6 lanes. The integrated graphics solutions are entirely different, with the Radeon 8050S on the AMD side and Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe on the Intel side. Release dates also differ, with the AMD chip released on 2025-01-05 and the Intel part on 2026-04-15. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 wins all single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3967 against the Intel Core 3 304's 3614, a 9.8% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is 12%, with scores of 1976 and 1765.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The AMD chip leads by 361.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 371.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The PassMark multi-thread test shows a 269.1% advantage for the AMD processor.

Q: What memory bandwidth do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports 256.0 GB/s through a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus. The Intel Core 3 304 supports 59.7 GB/s through a single-channel bus supporting both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has a 55 W TDP. The Intel Core 3 304 has a 15 W TDP.

Q: How do these processors compare in the database's overall percentile rankings?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 sits at the 93rd percentile against all CPUs, while the Intel Core 3 304 sits at the 68th percentile. The AMD chip's average benchmark score is 63765, while the Intel part averages 13745.