AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 3 304 and AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U occupy different performance tiers, and the recorded database benchmarks for the Intel part provide a clear reference point. The Intel Core 3 304 achieves an average benchmark score of 13745, placing it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark scores and sits at the 50th percentile, which indicates that the available data does not yet capture its measured performance.

The Intel Core 3 304's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX with an average score of 13786 and a delta of -0.3%, meaning the Intel part trails by a negligible margin. It also compares closely to the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13868 (-0.9%), the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13936 (-1.4%), and the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 (+1.1%). These deltas show that the Core 3 304 sits in a tightly clustered performance band, within roughly 1.5% of each rival. The largest gap is the 1.1% advantage over the Core 5 120UL, while the smallest is the 0.3% deficit to the Threadripper PRO 3975WX.

Looking at the Intel part's individual Cinebench results, the multicore scores show a clear pattern. In Cinebench R15, it records 849 points for multicore and 264 for single-core. In R20, the multicore score rises to 4160, with single-core at 587. The R23 run produces 5263 multicore and 1765 single-core. These numbers indicate that the single-core performance scales proportionally with the multicore results, which is typical for a processor with a modest core count and a single-threaded workload profile.

Passmark results for the Intel Core 3 304 further characterize its capabilities. Data compression scores 114775, data encryption 8501, extended instructions 9686, and prime number finding 68. Floating point math reaches 29722, integer math 24640, multithread 11625, physics 868, random string sorting 13659, and single-thread performance 3614. The multithread score of 11625 relative to the single-thread score of 3614 suggests a ratio of roughly 3.2x, which aligns with a 5-core, 5-thread configuration. The physics score of 868 is notably lower than the multithread score, which indicates that the physics workload does not scale as efficiently as the general multithread test.

Since the AMD part has no recorded benchmarks in the database, a direct head-to-head comparison of measured scores is not possible. The data only allows for a comparison of architectural specifications and the Intel part's established results. The Intel Core 3 304's 68th percentile ranking, alongside its close proximity to high-end workstation and server parts like the Threadripper PRO 3975WX and EPYC 7443, suggests that its measured performance is competitive within its class, despite having fewer cores than those rivals.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their underlying designs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U belongs to the 8000 series, uses the Zen 4 architecture, and carries the codename Hawk Point. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, belongs to the Core 3 generation, and is built on a 3 nm process at Intel. The database lists no transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The AMD processor has 6 cores and 12 threads, enabled by simultaneous multithreading. The Intel processor has 5 cores and 5 threads, with no hyper-threading support indicated. This means the AMD part can handle twice as many concurrent threads as the Intel part, which has implications for heavily parallel workloads.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD processor allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB of L1 cache total, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's larger L3 cache, at 16 MB versus 6 MB, provides more capacity for frequently accessed data.

Memory support is another point of divergence. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel processor supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only in a single-channel configuration, yielding 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. It does not support ECC memory. The AMD part's dual-channel setup delivers roughly 1.5x the memory bandwidth of the Intel part, based on the recorded figures.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part offers more than three times the PCIe lanes, which matters for expansion options. Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD part uses a Radeon 760M, while the Intel part uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

The socket types are incompatible. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1516. Clock speeds show a notable gap in base frequency: the AMD part runs at 3.50 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost, while the Intel part runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The AMD part's higher base clock suggests sustained performance at lower power states, while the Intel part relies more heavily on boost behavior.

Power ratings differ, with the AMD processor at 28 W TDP and the Intel processor at 15 W TDP. The production status for both is listed as Active, and both are in the Mobile market segment. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part was released on 2024-04-01, while the Intel part has a release date of 2026-04-15. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $309 and a part number of SAE3K; the AMD part has no launch MSRP listed.

Where Each One Wins

The available data limits the analysis to the Intel Core 3 304's measured performance and the architectural advantages of the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U. For the Intel part, the benchmark results indicate strengths in single-threaded workloads. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1765, combined with the Passmark single-thread score of 3614, suggests that the 5-core design with a 4.30 GHz boost clock can handle lightly threaded tasks efficiently. The close delta to the Threadripper PRO 3975WX, a 32-core workstation processor, at -0.3%, reinforces that the Intel part's per-core performance is competitive despite its lower core count.

The AMD part's architectural specifications point to advantages in multi-threaded and memory-heavy workloads. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it offers double the thread count of the Intel part. Its dual-channel memory configuration at 89.6 GB/s provides substantially more bandwidth than the Intel part's single-channel 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory support adds reliability for embedded applications. The 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, versus 6 on the Intel part, enable more expansion capability. The larger 16 MB L3 cache, compared to 6 MB, benefits workloads that repeatedly access a large working set.

The power envelope favors the Intel part, with a 15 W TDP versus 28 W for the AMD part. This indicates that the Intel processor is designed for lower sustained power draw, which matters in fanless or thermally constrained embedded systems. The AMD part's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, however, suggests it can maintain higher performance without relying on boost states. The Intel part's 1.50 GHz base clock is significantly lower, meaning it depends on boost to reach its 4.30 GHz peak.

The Intel part's launch MSRP of $309 provides a fixed reference point, though price comparisons are not part of this analysis. The production status for both is Active, meaning both are current products. The release dates differ by roughly two years, with the AMD part launching in April 2024 and the Intel part in April 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD processor supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel processor supports single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD processor has a 28 W TDP, and the Intel processor has a 15 W TDP.

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 304 compare to its nearest rivals in average score?

A: It scores 13745 on average. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX scores 13786 (-0.3%), the Intel Core i7-8750H scores 13868 (-0.9%), the AMD EPYC 7443 scores 13936 (-1.4%), and the Intel Core 5 120UL scores 13594 (+1.1%).

Q: What is the difference in PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD processor provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel processor provides 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U | Intel Core 3 304 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 6 | 5 |

| Threads | 12 | 5 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB total |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB total |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 6 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe) |

| Release Date | 2024-04-01 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $309 |

| Part Number | unknown | SAE3K |

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U offers a higher core and thread count, larger caches, dual-channel memory with ECC support, more PCIe lanes, and a higher base clock. These specifications position it for workloads that require parallel processing, memory bandwidth, and expansion flexibility. Its 28 W TDP, however, indicates higher power consumption.

The Intel Core 3 304 delivers measured benchmark performance that places it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, with an average score of 13745. Its nearest rival comparisons show it within 1.4% of workstation and server class processors, which confirms its per-core efficiency. The 15 W TDP makes it suitable for power-sensitive designs. The lack of hyper-threading, single-channel memory, and fewer PCIe lanes, however, limit its multi-threaded and I/O capabilities relative to the AMD part.

For applications that prioritize thread density, memory bandwidth, ECC reliability, and I/O expansion, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U is the stronger candidate based on its architectural specifications. For applications that prioritize lower power draw and measured single-thread performance, the Intel Core 3 304 has the advantage, supported by its benchmark results and close proximity to higher-tier rivals. The absence of benchmark data for the AMD part means its real-world performance cannot be verified from the database, while the Intel part's scores are fully documented. The choice between the two depends on whether the workload favors the AMD part's parallel and memory capabilities or the Intel part's efficiency and measured per-core results.