AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents two processors with fundamentally different design goals. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X is a 16-core, 32-thread desktop-class part aimed at heavy parallel workloads, while the Intel Core 3 304 is a 5-core, 5-thread mobile part built for efficiency in thin-and-light systems. The AMD chip carries a 170 W TDP and uses a 4 nm process, whereas the Intel chip operates at 15 W and uses a 3 nm node.

The Intel Core 3 304 has no benchmark data of its own in the database, but its average benchmark score of 13,745 places it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (average score 13,786, delta -0.3%), the Intel Core i7-8750H (average score 13,868, delta -0.9%), the Intel Core 5 120UL (average score 13,594, delta +1.1%), and the AMD EPYC 7443 (average score 13,936, delta -1.4%). The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X shows no recorded benchmark scores, no average score, and no nearest rivals in the database, so the quantitative comparison relies entirely on the Intel part's measured results and the architectural specifications of both.

For users driven by raw multi-threaded throughput, the AMD part is the obvious selection: 16 cores versus 5, 32 threads versus 5, and 64 MB of L3 cache versus 6 MB. For users prioritizing power efficiency and portability, the Intel part is the only viable choice, given its 15 W TDP and mobile BGA socket. The AMD processor targets stationary desktop workloads; the Intel processor targets battery-operated mobile systems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has a TDP of 170 W. The Intel Core 3 304 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core 3 304 uses a 3 nm process node, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X uses a 4 nm process node.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 304 support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 3 304 does not support ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X does support ECC memory.

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

A: The Intel Core 3 304 scores 13,745 on average. It trails the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX by 0.3%, trails the Intel Core i7-8750H by 0.9%, and trails the AMD EPYC 7443 by 1.4%. It leads the Intel Core 5 120UL by 1.1%.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The Intel Core 3 304 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory over a single-channel bus.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X belongs to the Ryzen Embedded series within the 9000 series generation. Its codename is Granite Ridge, and it uses the Zen 5 microarchitecture. The processor is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC and contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The AMD part has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. It provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with a total of 64 MB of L3 cache.

The Intel Core 3 304 belongs to the Core 3 generation with the codename Wildcat Lake. It is fabricated on a 3 nm process at Intel. The processor has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its cache arrangement consists of 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part does not have recorded transistor or die size data in the database.

These architectural choices reflect different priorities. The AMD design emphasizes core count and cache capacity for sustained multi-threaded work, while the Intel design emphasizes a smaller process node and lower clock frequencies to reduce power draw. The AMD part supports PCIe Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, whereas the Intel part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The AMD processor includes Radeon Graphics as integrated graphics; the Intel processor includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads; the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. Base clocks are 4.30 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.70 GHz for AMD and 4.30 GHz for Intel. TDP values are 170 W for AMD and 15 W for Intel.

The socket types are entirely different: the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516. The AMD processor is a desktop segment part, while the Intel processor is a mobile segment part. Process nodes are 4 nm (TSMC) for AMD and 3 nm (Intel) for Intel.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The AMD part provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. The Intel part provides 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support differs as well: AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth; Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD part.

PCIe support shows a major gap: AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part has a production status of Active with a release date of 2025-10-06, while the Intel part is also Active with a release date of 2026-04-15. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results between the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X and the Intel Core 3 304. The AMD part has an empty benchmark array and no average benchmark score. The Intel part, however, has a full set of Cinebench and PassMark measurements.

Cinebench results for the Intel Core 3 304 show a multi-core score of 849 in R15 and 264 in single-core R15. In R20, the Intel part scores 4,160 multi-core and 587 single-core. In R23, it scores 5,263 multi-core and 1,765 single-core. These figures indicate a processor that delivers modest multi-threaded performance but a relatively strong single-core showing for its power class.

PassMark measurements for the Intel part cover a range of workloads. Data compression scores 114,775, while data encryption scores 8,501. Extended instructions score 9,686. Prime number finding scores 68, floating point math scores 29,722, and integer math scores 24,640. The multithread score is 11,625, physics scores 868, and random string sorting scores 13,659. Single-thread performance is recorded at 3,614.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has no recorded scores in any of these tests, so a direct numerical comparison is impossible from the database. However, the architectural data strongly suggests where the AMD part would excel: 16 cores versus 5, 32 threads versus 5, 64 MB L3 versus 6 MB, and a 5.70 GHz boost clock versus 4.30 GHz. The Intel part's single-channel memory and 15 W TDP limit its throughput ceiling.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X wins in every category that scales with core count and cache. Its 16 cores and 32 threads make it suitable for rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and any workload that can use more than a handful of threads. The 64 MB L3 cache reduces memory traffic for large working sets. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth over a dual-channel bus supports data-heavy tasks. The unlocked multiplier allows frequency tuning. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 28 lanes accommodates multiple high-bandwidth peripherals. ECC memory support suits reliability-sensitive environments.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins in power efficiency and portability. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the AMD part's 170 W, making it feasible for fanless or low-power mobile designs. The BGA 1516 socket is soldered into compact motherboards. The 3 nm process node gives it a manufacturing advantage in density and leakage. LPDDR5X memory support enables low-power memory configurations. The single-channel memory bus and 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes are consistent with light-duty mobile workloads such as web browsing, office applications, and media playback. Its average benchmark score of 13,745 places it at the 68th percentile, ahead of the Intel Core 5 120UL by 1.1% and just behind the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, Intel Core i7-8750H, and AMD EPYC 7443 by margins of 0.3% to 1.4%.

The recorded data does not provide any benchmark results for the AMD part, so the database cannot confirm its actual performance relative to the Intel part. The specification sheet, however, indicates that the AMD processor is designed for maximum compute density, while the Intel processor is designed for minimum power draw. Each processor wins in the segment it targets: AMD for desktop-class multi-threaded workloads, Intel for mobile-class efficiency.