AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D vs Intel Core 3 N355 Comparison

AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D and Intel Core 3 N355 occupy opposite ends of the processor spectrum, one a high-core-count desktop part, the other a low-power mobile chip. The database contains full benchmark results for the Intel Core 3 N355 across Cinebench and Passmark tests, while the AMD part has no recorded benchmark scores. This leaves the comparison largely defined by architectural specifications and the Intel chip’s measured performance against its nearest rivals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has no entries in the benchmark database, so there are no direct head-to-head scores between the two processors. The Intel Core 3 N355, however, has a complete set of Cinebench and Passmark results that establish its performance profile. In Cinebench R15, the Core 3 N355 scores 822 in multi-core and 168 in single-core. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score rises to 3612, while single-core reaches 509. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core result is 5262 and single-core is 1039. These scores show a consistent scaling pattern across newer Cinebench versions, with the multi-core figures increasing substantially as the workload becomes more demanding.

The Passmark suite provides additional detail. The Core 3 N355 achieves 117435 in data compression, 8121 in data encryption, and 5968 in extended instructions. Integer math scores 33894, floating point math scores 22695, and find prime numbers scores 27. Multithread performance is recorded at 10174, single-thread at 2153, physics at 625, and random string sorting at 14706. The average benchmark score for the Core 3 N355 is 13492, placing it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The nearest rivals for the Core 3 N355 show where it sits in the broader market. The Intel Core i3-12100F has an average score of 13494, a delta of 0 percent, meaning the two are statistically tied. The Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13452, which is 0.3 percent behind the Core 3 N355. The Intel Core 5 120UL scores 13594, putting it 0.8 percent ahead, while the Intel Core i7-1250U scores 13351, which is 1.1 percent behind. These narrow deltas indicate the Core 3 N355 delivers performance on par with established desktop and mobile parts from recent generations, despite its low 15 watt TDP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Granite Ridge, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 16,630 million transistors across a dual-chip design with each die measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, which is part of the Alder Lake-N generation, manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel chip has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning the Intel part lacks simultaneous multithreading entirely. Clock speeds also differ: the AMD part has a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, versus 1.90 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost on the Intel part. The TDP difference is substantial, with the AMD processor rated at 120 watts and the Intel processor at 15 watts.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a large 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The total cache capacity favors the AMD part by a wide margin, particularly the L3 cache which is over 20 times larger.

Memory support also separates the two. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC memory support. The Intel chip supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but only on a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth and no ECC support. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD part uses Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while the Intel part uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both, with the AMD chip featuring Radeon Graphics and the Intel chip featuring UHD Graphics 770.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core 3 N355 compare to its closest rival in the database?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 has an average benchmark score of 13492, which is essentially tied with the Intel Core i3-12100F at 13494, a 0 percent delta. It sits 0.3 percent ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500 and 1.1 percent ahead of the Intel Core i7-1250U, while trailing the Intel Core 5 120UL by 0.8 percent.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part also has per-core L2 cache of 1 MB, whereas the Intel part has 2 MB of shared L2.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyperthreading support.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core 3 N355 is manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: What socket does each processor use?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel Core 3 N355 uses Intel BGA 1264.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. Core count: 12 for AMD versus 8 for Intel. Thread count: 24 versus 8. Base clock: 4.40 GHz versus 1.90 GHz. Boost clock: 5.50 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. TDP: 120 watts versus 15 watts. Socket: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel BGA 1264. Process node: 4 nm versus 10 nm. Foundry: TSMC versus Intel. Cache: 80 KB L1 per core versus 96 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core versus 2 MB shared L2, and 128 MB L3 versus 6 MB shared L3. Memory support: DDR5 only versus DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. Memory bus: dual-channel versus single-channel. Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. ECC support: yes versus no. PCIe: Gen 5 with 24 lanes versus Gen 3 with 9 lanes. Integrated graphics: Radeon Graphics versus UHD Graphics 770. Market segment: desktop versus mobile. Release date: October 6, 2025 versus January 6, 2025. Multiplier unlock: yes versus no. The Intel part has a recorded part number of SRPNT, while the AMD part has 100-000001368E.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows two processors built for entirely different purposes. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D uses a high-core-count, high-clock design with a 120 watt TDP, dual-channel memory, and a 128 MB L3 cache, positioning it for demanding desktop workloads. The Intel Core 3 N355 uses a low-power, 15 watt design with 8 cores, single-channel memory, and a 6 MB L3 cache, targeting mobile efficiency. The benchmark results for the Intel part place it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, with performance essentially matching the Intel Core i3-12100F. The AMD part has no benchmark scores in the database, so its measured performance cannot be compared directly. Based on specifications alone, the AMD chip holds clear advantages in core count, thread count, clock speed, cache size, memory bandwidth, and PCIe generation. The Intel chip holds advantages in power consumption and integrated graphics naming, with UHD Graphics 770 versus Radeon Graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D wins on every compute-oriented specification. It has 50 percent more cores and 200 percent more threads. Its base clock is 2.5 GHz higher and boost clock is 1.6 GHz higher. The 128 MB L3 cache dwarfs the 6 MB on the Intel part. Dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth more than doubles the Intel chip’s 38.4 GB/s single-channel throughput. PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes provides far more connectivity headroom than Gen 3 with 9 lanes. The AMD part also supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier.

The Intel Core 3 N355 wins on power efficiency and platform flexibility. Its 15 watt TDP is one-eighth of the AMD part’s 120 watts, making it suitable for fanless or battery-powered mobile designs. It supports a wider range of memory types, including DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. The Intel chip also has a lower release date of January 6, 2025, compared to October 6, 2025 for the AMD part. Benchmark data shows the Intel chip performs at the level of the Intel Core i3-12100F, meaning it delivers competitive desktop-class throughput despite its minimal power envelope. The AMD part has no recorded benchmarks, so its real-world performance remains unquantified in the database, leaving the Intel chip as the only one with verified measured results.