AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core 3 304 Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and Intel Core 3 304 occupy completely separate performance strata. The Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the smallest margin being a 25.5% lead in PassMark single-thread. The Core 3 304 does not win a single test in the database. The Threadripper 9980X sits at the 99th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 304 sits at the 68th percentile. The Threadripper is a desktop workstation processor for massive parallel workloads; the Core 3 304 is a mobile chip for efficiency-focused tasks. The data shows no scenario where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip in any recorded benchmark.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It contains 64 cores and 128 threads, with 66,520 million transistors spread across 8x 70.6 mm² dies. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. It supports DDR5 memory over a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth and includes ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU. The chip has no integrated graphics and uses AMD Socket sTR5. The multiplier is unlocked.

The Intel Core 3 304 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is built on a 3 nm process at Intel. It has 5 cores and 5 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. Cache totals are 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support includes DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The chip includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. It is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1516, and the multiplier is locked.

The process node difference is small, 3 nm versus 4 nm, but the transistor count and die configuration are only listed for the AMD part. The Threadripper uses eight separate dies, while the Intel chip is a single package. The memory bus width difference is substantial: quad-channel versus single-channel, which directly explains the 204.8 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s bandwidth gap. The integrated graphics presence on the Intel part is the only feature where the Core 3 304 has something the Threadripper lacks, since the AMD chip lists N/A for integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest recorded margin is in PassMark integer math, where the Threadripper 9980X scores 872,071 against 24,640 for the Core 3 304, a 3439.2% difference. This is the single biggest proportional gap in the dataset. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 130,529 versus 5,263, a 2380.1% lead for AMD. PassMark data compression shows 2,974,534 versus 114,775, a 2491.6% gap. PassMark extended instructions shows 228,959 versus 9,686, a 2263.8% gap.

The closest contest is PassMark single-thread, where the Threadripper scores 4,537 and the Core 3 304 scores 3,614, a 25.5% advantage for AMD. This is notable because single-thread performance usually narrows the gap between high-core-count and low-core-count parts. Even in this metric, the AMD chip holds a clear edge. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 1,857 versus 264, a 603.4% gap, while Cinebench R20 single-core shows 7,739 versus 587, a 1218.4% gap.

Cinebench R15 multicore shows 13,157 versus 849, a 1449.7% gap. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 54,822 versus 4,160, a 1217.8% gap. PassMark data encryption shows 157,137 versus 8,501, a 1748.5% gap. PassMark floating point math shows 559,003 versus 29,722, a 1780.8% gap. PassMark find prime numbers shows 769 versus 68, a 1030.9% gap. PassMark multithread shows 141,641 versus 11,625, a 1118.4% gap. PassMark physics shows 8,001 versus 868, an 821.8% gap. PassMark random string sorting shows 292,083 versus 13,659, a 2038.4% gap. The duplicate PassMark single-thread and singlethread entries both record the same scores and the same 25.5% delta.

The average benchmark score for the Threadripper 9980X is 321,753, while the Core 3 304 averages 13,745. The nearest rivals for the Threadripper are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX at 320,749 (0.3% behind), the Intel Xeon 6781P at 315,524 (2% behind), the AMD EPYC 9575F at 311,774 (3.2% behind), and the AMD EPYC 9734 at 310,619 (3.6% behind). The nearest rivals for the Core 3 304 are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX at 13,786 (0.3% ahead), the Intel Core i7-8750H at 13,868 (0.9% ahead), the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13,594 (1.1% behind), and the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13,936 (1.4% ahead).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification field. Core count: 64 versus 5. Thread count: 128 versus 5. Base clock: 3.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz. Boost clock: 5.40 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. TDP: 350 W versus 15 W. Socket: AMD Socket sTR5 versus Intel BGA 1516. Process node: 4 nm versus 3 nm. Foundry: TSMC versus Intel. L1 cache: 64 KB per core versus 192 KB total. L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 2.5 MB total. L3 cache: 256 MB versus 6 MB shared. Memory bus: quad-channel versus single-channel. Memory bandwidth: 204.8 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. ECC support: true versus false. PCIe: Gen 5 with 80 lanes versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics: N/A versus Intel Xe3 Graphics. Market segment: Desktop versus Mobile. Release date: 2025-07-29 versus 2026-04-15. Multiplier: unlocked versus locked. Part number: 100-000001593 versus SAE3K. The Threadripper has a launch MSRP of $4999; the Core 3 304 has a launch MSRP of $309.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core 3 304 has 5 cores and 5 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Threadripper 9980X scores 130,529, while the Core 3 304 scores 5,263. This is a 2380.1% advantage for the AMD chip.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 304 does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Threadripper 9980X uses a quad-channel DDR5 bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core 3 304 uses a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s.

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

A: Yes, it includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 1 Xe core. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Threadripper 9980X has an average benchmark score of 321,753, and the Core 3 304 has an average of 13,745. The Threadripper's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX at 320,749, while the Core 3 304's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 7443 at 13,936.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins every recorded benchmark. The largest margins are in integer math, data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting, all exceeding 2000% leads. These are throughput-oriented workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth. The 64 cores, 128 threads, and 256 MB of L3 cache drive these results. The quad-channel memory bus at 204.8 GB/s feeds the high core count effectively. The Cinebench multicore results, 130,529 in R23 and 54,822 in R20, confirm that heavily threaded rendering and simulation workloads are the primary strength. The 99th percentile ranking places it among the top processors in the database, with its closest competitor being the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX at only 0.3% higher average score.

The Intel Core 3 304 wins no benchmarks, but its profile suits a different role. The 15 W TDP and mobile segment designation indicate a low-power processor for battery-conscious systems. The integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. The single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for lightweight mobile workloads. The 68th percentile ranking places it above the median CPU, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-8750H, a mobile processor from an older generation, at 0.9% higher average score. The locked multiplier and 5-thread configuration show that this chip is not designed for overclocking or heavy parallel work. The single-thread score of 3,614 in PassMark is the closest any metric comes to the Threadripper's 4,537, making it the only area where the Intel chip approaches competitive performance.

The data indicates that the Threadripper 9980X is for desktop workstation builds that prioritize raw compute density, with uncompromising core counts and memory throughput. The Core 3 304 is for mobile platforms where power draw and integrated graphics matter more than peak performance. The 350 W TDP of the AMD chip versus the 15 W TDP of the Intel chip underscores the divergence in intended use. The Threadripper's release date of 2025-07-29 predates the Core 3 304's 2026-04-15 release, but both are listed as Active production status. The benchmark record shows no overlap in performance capability, only in the single-thread metric where the gap narrows to 25.5%.