AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and the Intel Core 3 304?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 uses 5 cores and 5 threads. This represents a 19-core and 43-thread difference in favor of the AMD processor.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Intel Core 3 304 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD part holds a 2.70 GHz advantage at base and a 1.00 GHz advantage at boost.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels and what is the resulting bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports quad-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Intel Core 3 304 supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The AMD processor delivers approximately 3.4 times the memory bandwidth.

Q: What are the socket and platform differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses AMD Socket sTR5 and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core 3 304 uses Intel BGA 1516 and supports PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The AMD platform offers 74 additional PCIe lanes and a newer generation of PCIe.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 304 include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe). The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no integrated graphics (N/A), requiring a discrete graphics solution.

Q: What is the production status and market segment for each processor?

A: Both processors are listed as Active in production status. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X targets the Desktop market segment, while the Intel Core 3 304 targets the Mobile market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a complete split: the Intel Core 3 304 has recorded benchmark scores across 17 tests, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. This means the Intel processor wins every available benchmark comparison by default, but the interpretation requires context from the architecture and specification data.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins on portability and power efficiency. Its TDP of 15 W compares to the AMD part's TDP of 350 W. The mobile-focused design with a BGA socket, 3 nm process node from Intel, and integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics makes it suitable for compact systems that prioritize low power draw and on-chip graphics capabilities.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X wins on raw processing capability based on its specification sheet. It delivers 24 cores, 48 threads, a 4.20 GHz base clock, a 5.30 GHz boost clock, 128 MB of L3 cache, quad-channel memory support, and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The data indicates this processor is designed for high-throughput workloads that can utilize many cores, large cache, and extensive I/O.

The use-case split is clear from the data. The Intel Core 3 304 serves single-threaded and light multi-threaded scenarios in mobile devices where the 15 W TDP and integrated graphics are critical constraints. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X serves desktop workstations that require maximum core counts, memory bandwidth, and PCIe expansion, accepting the 350 W TDP as a trade-off.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak. It is built on a 4 nm process node at TSMC and contains 33,260 million transistors across a die size of 4x 70.6 mm². The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3 cache.

The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename with no architecture name listed. It is built on a 3 nm process node at Intel. The cache configuration differs substantially: 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3 cache.

The AMD part uses a multi-die design with four 70.6 mm² chiplets, while the Intel part uses a single-die design (no die size listed). The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Memory architecture differs significantly. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports quad-channel DDR5 with ECC memory enabled. The Intel Core 3 304 supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X without ECC support. The memory bandwidth figures reflect this: 204.8 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s.

PCIe capabilities also differ by generation and lane count. The AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). This represents a major architectural difference in I/O throughput potential.

The integrated graphics situation is a key architectural distinction. The Intel Core 3 304 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no integrated graphics. This affects system design requirements for each platform.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads. The AMD base clock is 4.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz for Intel. The AMD boost clock is 5.30 GHz versus 4.30 GHz for Intel.

TDP differs by an order of magnitude: 350 W for AMD versus 15 W for Intel. The AMD part uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516.

Process node differs: 4 nm at TSMC for AMD versus 3 nm at Intel for the foundry. The AMD part lists a transistor count of 33,260 million and a die size of 4x 70.6 mm², while the Intel part has neither listed.

Cache differs in organization. The AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, totaling 128 MB L3. The Intel part has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 only with quad-channel bus and ECC enabled, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel bus and no ECC. Memory bandwidth is 204.8 GB/s for AMD and 59.7 GB/s for Intel.

PCIe differs: AMD provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes, Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics: AMD has none, Intel has Intel Xe3 Graphics (1 Xe).

Market segment differs: AMD is Desktop, Intel is Mobile. Release dates differ: AMD on 2025-07-29 and Intel on 2026-04-15. Launch MSRP differs: AMD at $1499 and Intel at $309.

The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD part, while the Intel part has a locked multiplier. Part numbers differ: 100-000001595 for AMD and SAE3K for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark results for the Intel Core 3 304 only. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has zero recorded benchmark scores, so direct head-to-head comparisons rely on the Intel part's scores and its nearest rival relationships.

The Intel Core 3 304 achieves an average benchmark score of 13745. Its percentile versus all CPUs is 68. The nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX with an average score of 13786 and a delta of -0.3%, the Intel Core i7-8750H with an average score of 13868 and a delta of -0.9%, the Intel Core 5 120UL with an average score of 13594 and a delta of 1.1%, and the AMD EPYC 7443 with an average score of 13936 and a delta of -1.4%.

The Cinebench results for the Intel Core 3 304 show a multi-core score of 849 in Cinebench R15 and a single-core score of 264 in the same test. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 4160 and the single-core score is 587. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 5263 and the single-core score is 1765.

The PassMark results show a multithread score of 11625 and a single-thread score of 3614. Specific workload results include data compression at 114775, data encryption at 8501, extended instructions at 9686, find prime numbers at 68, floating point math at 29722, integer math at 24640, physics at 868, and random string sorting at 13659.

The delta percentages against nearest rivals indicate the Intel Core 3 304 sits within a narrow performance band. It trails the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX by 0.3%, trails the Intel Core i7-8750H by 0.9%, leads the Intel Core 5 120UL by 1.1%, and trails the AMD EPYC 7443 by 1.4%. These differences are small, indicating the Intel Core 3 304 delivers competitive average performance relative to its recorded rivals.

Since the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no benchmark scores, the data cannot quantify its performance against the Intel Core 3 304. The specification differences strongly suggest the AMD part would dominate multi-threaded workloads given its 24 cores versus 5, its 48 threads versus 5, and its 128 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB, but the database does not provide scores to confirm this.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear division based on workload type and platform constraints. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a desktop processor with 24 cores, 48 threads, a 5.30 GHz boost clock, 128 MB L3 cache, quad-channel DDR5 with ECC, and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel Core 3 304 is a mobile processor with 5 cores, 5 threads, a 4.30 GHz boost clock, 6 MB L3 cache, single-channel memory, and 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

For users requiring maximum multi-core throughput, extensive memory bandwidth, or high PCIe lane counts for expansion, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the appropriate choice based on its specifications. The 350 W TDP and lack of integrated graphics indicate a workstation-class desktop platform where power consumption and on-chip graphics are secondary concerns.

For users requiring low power consumption, integrated graphics, or mobile form factors, the Intel Core 3 304 is the appropriate choice. The 15 W TDP, Intel Xe3 Graphics, and BGA socket indicate an ultra-portable or embedded mobile design. Its benchmark scores place it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, with an average score of 13745 that puts it within 1.4% of the AMD EPYC 7443 and within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX.

The recorded data shows the Intel Core 3 304 delivers competitive average performance for its class, but the database lacks benchmark scores for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X. The specification comparison indicates the AMD processor targets a fundamentally different performance tier, with 4.8 times the cores, 9.6 times the threads, and 21.3 times the L3 cache. Users should select based on the workload requirements and platform constraints described in the recorded data.